Cause Of Mold In Attic

The chief cause of attic mold is poor ventilation.

Cause of mold in attic.

In most buildings moisture moves upwards through the building naturally on rising warm air convection currents from basement or crawl space up to the attic or other under roof space like a cathedral ceiling. This occurs efficiently in attics with proper ventilation but attic mold can occur if the hot air meets the cold surface of the attic roof and creates condensation. Even if your roof and windows don t leak though humidity in the attic can lead to the growth of mold. Cause 4 missing or inadequate attic insulation attic insulation is key in not only energy conservation but proper levels can also reduce the chance of mold growth in attic areas.

Particularly in cold climates when homeowners heat their homes in winter hot air tends to escape through the attic. Mold in attic is fairly common because attics are often damp. As air travels up through a structure insulation provides a barrier slowing the rate of conditioned air loss in an attic area. Attics usually have a passive ventilation system in which outside air comes in through the soffit eave vents at the bottom warms up in the attic and escapes through the can or ridge vents at the top because hot air rises.

Ideally your roof will have vents along the ridge as well as along the soffits. By far the most common cause of mold in your attic is improper ventilation. Ice dams occur when water can t drain properly from the roof freezes and backs up into the home through the attic. If your roof leaks or any attic windows leak you ve got moisture in your attic and probably need to consider attic mold removal.

Can lights wall drywall junctions wall framing members ductwork bathroom vents etc. Some of the main causes of attic mold are described below. Having one but not the other creates poor air flow allowing moisture to accumulate and mold to take hold. If the mold appears in localized patches it is likely caused by leaks from windows plumbing or roofs.

The stagnant water causes attic mold growth. You should remedy this by air sealing areas in your attic. Inadequate insulation around fixtures if the fixtures on your ceiling are not properly sealed and insulated at the edges warm air from your home can easily rise up to the attic. The best way to prevent this.

If you have mold covering large sections of sheathing all over the attic the culprit is. Clean your gutters when you re installing your outdoor christmas lights so that winter s rain and melting snow can drain. Yes basement flooding can contribute to or even be the primary cause of an attic mold problem. Picture of mold in the attic.