How To Prevent Mold: Attic Spaces

As they say, prevention is better than cure. And that is certainly the case when it comes to a moldy attic in your home. So, do you know how to prevent mold?

More than 50% of American households have mold issues. There are many causes of mold, such as a build-up of moisture during Colorado’s colder months. But mold quickly becomes a problem because you do not realize how many places it grows.

Attic spaces are one of these high-risk spaces. Read on to learn how to prevent mold in attic spaces.  

• Monitor Supply Lines
• Improve Attic Ventilation
• Insulate Attic Spaces Well
• Roof Maintenance
• Direct Vents for Appliances
• Check Appliances
• Carry Out Seasonal Checks
• For Mold Remediation, Call PuroClean Certified Restoration Specialists Today!

Monitor Supply Lines

One of the leading causes of mold growth is a build-up of moisture, which can be due to the supply lines. Supply lines bring water and gas through installed pipes to appliances in your home, from your toilet and appliances to your HVAC and water heater unit in your attic.

So, if you have a leak or issues such as freezing in one of these lines, mold will rapidly appear. After all, mold only takes around 24 hours to 48 hours to grow. Be sure to check or have a professional service check your supply lines for leaks and any maintenance issues every three to six months. 

Improve Attic Ventilation

You can reduce the chance of moisture levels rising in attic spaces by ensuring adequate ventilation. In winter, in places such as Colorado, heating is cranked up. However, this hot air rises and condenses on the cold surfaces around the attic, like the roof. 

If you have adequate ventilation, the hot air will instead escape your attic and not take up home there. Attic ventilation often includes roof vents, gable vents, or soffit vents.

Ensure you have the most efficient ventilation for your attic space. You may increase the ventilation sizes too, as sometimes they are too small for your area. 

Sometimes you need to install ventilation fans if passive ventilation is not giving your attic enough airflow. Pick a ventilation fan system that works with a humidity sensor, so it is only switched on when needed. It is best to consult a professional about the best fan and ventilation system for your attic. 

Also, check any current ventilation you have is clean and not covered by insulation. If you have a lot of trees around your home, vents may be clogged with debris. Clean them out and check them regularly. 

Insulate Attic Spaces Well

Insulation helps prevent warm air from making its way into your attic in the first place. And insulation helps maintain optimum temperatures in your attic to keep humidity low. During winter, aim for these temperatures to be around the same as outside. 

There are often spaces in the attic that are not insulated. These include the access panel to the attic, the attic floor, heating ducts, and empty wall spaces such as crawl space. The attic floor needs insulation to prevent the transfer of heat from the rest of your home. 

The key is not to have too much insulation either. You should adequately install insulation, but you do not want too much. Otherwise, there will be no airflow. 

Roof Maintenance

Keep an eye on your roof because it can also lead to a moldy attic. Poor roof installation and failing to keep on top of roof maintenance leads to roof leaks, which make their way into attic spaces. 

Inspect your attic for water damage, such as damp spots. Check there are no areas of damage or holes. 

Also, look out for raised shingles, moss on the roof, and other signs of exterior roof damage. Have regular roof inspections to protect your attic and the rest of your home.

Direct Vents for Appliances

Have you checked where your appliances’ vents lead? Devices such as your dryer and vents in your kitchen or bathrooms should lead directly outside. If they blow into your attic, it is time to change them. 

Even the most effective ventilation systems can become overwhelmed if there is too much moisture. It will not eliminate all moisture as efficiently, so a mold problem is more likely. 

Check Appliances

If you have any appliances installed in the attic, like a furnace or water heater, check it is installed correctly. There are sometimes state requirements for appliances too. For example, you may need double-wall pipes and a separate room for the water heater in the attic.

Compare Colorado’s building codes and regulations to your appliance installations. It guarantees everything is safely installed and is key to preventing mold growth in your home. 

Carry Out Seasonal Checks

The work does not stop when you improve your insulation, ventilation, appliances, and supply lines. You need to continue preventing mold growth throughout the year in your attic. Each season check your attic and the main seasonal risks as part of your home maintenance tasks.  

In Summer and spring, you need to be aware of any air conditioning issues which may increase moisture in your home. Also, check ventilation is clear to help warm air leave your home.

In fall, check for leaves blocking vents and clean out any debris in ventilation. You can also get a roof inspection to check for roof damage before winter arrives. And in winter, check your insulation and keep an eye on your roof, especially when there is snow.

After extreme weather events, such as storms, also check your attic. Increased humidity, weather damage, or heavy rain could contribute to a moldy attic. You can also have a quarterly attic inspection with a home inspector to identify any issues fast. 

For Mold Remediation, Call PuroClean Certified Restoration Specialists Today!

Especially during the colder months, remember that mold growth is very common. It’s important to take all precautions to prevent mold in attic spaces; however, there does come a time when professional help is the answer to preventing mold and removing it. 

Do you think you have a mold problem in Colorado? Puroclean Certified Restoration Specialists is here to help. We will come and do a free mold estimate, which we will not exceed. 

All our staff has professional training with an AMRT mold certification. We will use third-party mold testing to guarantee your attic is mold-free. Contact PuroClean Certified Restoration Specialists to learn more.