Mold is every homeowner’s worst enemy. It grows quickly and can spread throughout your house before you even know it’s there.
Worse, it can grow in just about every type of house and in every climate. In fact, more than half of U.S. homes have an active mold problem at any given time.
Though it can grow anywhere, it thrives in attic spaces. Unfortunately, getting rid of mold and protecting your attic takes time, effort, and dedication.
However, as long as you know what to do about mold issues ahead of time, you’ll be able to deal with them quickly. Here’s what you need to know.
Dry the Space Out
The first thing you’ll want to do is find a way to dry the attic out. Mold needs a damp and warm environment to thrive. The more moisture and humidity inside your attic, the faster it will spread throughout the space.
If you’re wondering how to reduce moisture in attic spaces, you’re not alone. The exact solution varies from home to home. However, the best way to start is by lowering your thermostat and keeping the rest of your home cool.
Your home’s HVAC system dehumidifies the air which will help keep your attic dry. Turn on standing or ceiling fans to keep the air moving throughout the day and use a dehumidifier in the attic itself. To find the right dehumidifier, check out this guide from the unclutterer that can help you to choose the perfect one for your needs. This will help dry the area out and keep the mold from being able to grow.
Inspect Your Roof
Once you start drying your attic out, you need to figure out what caused the mold in the first place. In most cases, the mold starts growing because of a leaky roof. Look around your attic for any signs of leaks and damage.
Look for damp spots along the rafters, discoloration in the insulation, and bright spots in the roofing materials. Walk around the exterior of your home and look for warped roofing materials or missing shingles that could let moisture inside.
Keep in mind that some leaks and roof damage won’t be easy to spot. It’s also a good idea to contact your roofing contractor and let them inspect your roof for you.
They’ll be able to find even the smallest roof leaks that could contribute to mold growth in your attic. Once they do, they’ll be able to make the repairs quickly so you won’t have to worry about mold in the future.
Make Sure Your Appliances Vent Properly
Believe it or not, one of the leading causes of mold growth is poorly installed and ventilated appliances. Appliances like your oven, refrigerator, and even your HVAC system generate heat anytime they turn on.
That heat needs to vent outside to keep the humidity levels inside your home where they should be. If the ventilation system isn’t installed properly or gets damaged, that heat and excess moisture produced by your appliances will end up collecting inside your house.
Schedule an inspection with your handyman or contractor and let them take a look. Decreasing the extra moisture inside your home and letting it vent outdoors will help keep the mold from building up and will make it easier for you to clean up what’s left.
Invest in an Air Purifier
Unfortunately, mold can dramatically decrease your home’s indoor air quality. Over time, this will cause an increase in upper respiratory conditions like allergies and asthma.
Air purifiers will help filter out those contaminants from the rest of your home. If you have the money, invest in a whole-house air purifier to help keep the mold spores from spreading and keep your air fresh and clean.
If you don’t want to install a permanent system, free-standing air purifiers can still help. These are available at most big-box retailers or through online stores.
You’ll want to keep using your air purifiers for at least several months to make sure the mold doesn’t spread from the attic.
Change Out Your Filters
Just because the mold is in your attic doesn’t mean it can’t spread. The easiest way for it to spread throughout your house is through your HVAC system.
Luckily, your home’s HVAC filters can dramatically decrease the amount of mold you’ll find in other rooms. Remove the old filters and take them out to the trash immediately. Then, replace them with new, clean filters of the same size.
This will help improve your home’s air quality while curbing the spread of the mold throughout your house. Even better, clean filters help the air circulate more effectively, further keeping your attic drier.
If you’re not sure how to change the filters yourself, contact your HVAC contractor and let them show you how. They’ll even be able to recommend the best filters for your home and can give you an idea of how often to change them out to best prevent mold.
Hire a Professional Mold Remediation Team
While DIY mold removal is possible, it’s not something most homeowners should attempt. Mold can cause serious health problems if you’re not careful and if you don’t remove it completely, it can and will come back.
Instead, hire a professional mold remediation team and let them safely remove the mold from your attic and any other rooms where it spread. They’ll take the time to properly identify and remove the mold so you and your family can stay safe in your home.
Knowing What to Do About Mold Will Help You Protect Your Home
Mold can grow in any home in any climate. Knowing what to do about mold growth in your home and attic will help you better protect the things that matter most.
If you think your home has a mold problem or you’ve noticed signs of mold in your attic, keep this guide in mind. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to keep the mold from spreading easily.
Just remember that it’s okay to get help from an experienced professional. They’ll make sure the mold is gone once and for all.
Looking for more helpful tips to make taking care of regular home maintenance a breeze? Check out our latest posts.
