Leaky roof issues addressing mold problems 

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There are many advantages to homeownership, but it poses a few challenges too. To make your investment worthwhile, you’ll need to keep your home in the best condition possible and free of mold. One common challenge with homeownership is the possibility of mold growth because of roof leaks. Needless to say, the resulting elimination of mold spores and mold growth is essential to protect the health and overall well-being of your family.

Mostly, the cause of attic mold is the accumulation of moisture in a poorly ventilated area. By looking at the nails, you can check the presence of moisture in your attic space; there will be rust covering the nails if there’s excess moisture. That shows that there’s a ventilation issue in the space, and the cause of this might be improper venting from your dryer fans, kitchen, and bathroom.

To avoid this problem, you can check to ensure that all vents are pointing out of the structure rather than ending in the attic space. Already, these sources’ heat flow will naturally rise, and once this warm air gets into contact with the attic space’s cool air, it condenses forming moisture. Furthermore, weaknesses in the barrier between the attic space and the roof might increase the level of moisture in the attic from a failing barrier or ice damming. Eventually, prevalent moisture starts to seep into the walls and ceiling, adding to the likelihood of mold growth.

Are you going a little insane with the mold in your attic? Here are a few ways to address this problem and keep away mold from your attic. And, ultimately, providing you and your family a safer environment that they can live and homeownership in.


The Natural Method

Now that you’ve realized that you do have mold growing in the attic, removing the attic mold should be your priority. Most cases are of minor growth, where you don’t have to replace the infested materials completely. In such cases, you can utilize eco-friendly techniques to get rid of the mold naturally.
Below are several ways that you can get rid of the attic mold in your home without using dangerous chemicals.

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Drying. 
It’s worth repeating over and over that mold results in mold. For those who are experiencing a mold issue in their attic, it’s prudent, to begin with drying out the troubling space. This is vital, especially if you have recently experienced a deluge of moisture in your attic because of a leaky roof.
 
Purity the air. 
Generally, mold spores pass through the air before they can rest on a surface ideal for growth. By installing a top-quality air purifier, you can efficiently lower the number of mold spores that are drifting around in your home’s air. The concept here is simple; once you decrease the number of spores, you lower the level of potential mold growth. 



Using Tea Tree Oil


  • In this procedure, the first step is to oil it up! If you have been thinking that essential oils are only ideal for making your home smell great, then you’ll be happy to learn there is another effective use. Many essential oils serve as a natural fungicide. 
  • Tea tree oil, also called melaleuca oil, is the best one to use. Mix several drops into a spray bottle that has water, which you’ll use to spray onto the troubling surfaces. For those who pick this technique, ensure that you shake properly since, as you might know, water and the oil will naturally separate.
  • With this method, you can eliminate molds that are already existing, but is also equally effective in preventing mold growth. For those who think the smell of tea tree oil is unpleasant, you could alternatively try grapefruit seed oil for a similar effect that has no tea tree aroma. 



Using Vinegar


  • First, you need to pickle your walls! Although not exactly “pickle.” The stand-by white vinegar for kitchen cleaning is typically a natural antimicrobial, which makes it an excellent all-natural technique to eradicate mold from your attic. 
  • Mix half water and half vinegar in a spray bottle, and then spray onto that moldy surface. You might want to use a concentrated dilution of vinegar to water for stubborn molds. Just like the essential oils, this technique will start to destroy the mold that is already existing and assists in inhibiting future growth. 

 

Using Alcohol to Kill Attic Mold


  • Get it a drink! That’s right. Mold doesn’t like alcohol, especially distilled ethanol, so go ahead and buy a drink for this unwelcoming guest. Vodka is the best option since it has less odor compared to other spirits. However, generally speaking, the lower-priced alcohols aren’t distilled as much as opposed to slightly higher-costing alcohol. The latter comprises a substance called congener within. Typically, these are natural byproducts from the fermentation process are harmful to fungus. 
  • Ensure to seal it since avoiding moisture is essential. This includes any potential spot(s), which can allow water to seep into your attic space. Well-sealing of the vents is critical, and they should be directed out of the structure. It won’t hurt to double-check skylights and any place where there’s a probable entry point for moisture. 

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Attic Mold Remediation



It can be an expensive endeavor. And, especially, if there’s damage to the underlying construction material due to mold growth. One of the key things not to forget when eradicating mold is that it’s there due to an underlying moisture issue. The first step, therefore, should be to identify the source of the problem and then repair it accordingly to prevent future growth.

In case the mold has reached way deep into the host surface, you’ll require to consider removal and replacement of the building material. Be sure, however, to pre-treat the new surface after to avoid future mold growth. Even if you don’t need to replace the underlying material, there are many methods. 



Power Sanding



Power sanding and wire brushing is one such method. Needless to say, gear up safely with the right mold removing personal protective equipment or PPE before diving in. In terms of money and time, the equipment for this method can be expensive.

And, it might even be prohibitive to the best of you DIY’ers. It’s essential to understand that eliminating mold in your home might very well be worth the cost of finding an expert to do the job. Other blasting tactics utilize different media to eradicate mold from attic surfaces, such as walnut shell, dry ice, corn cob, soda, and sand. 


Dry Ice Blasting


Generally speaking, opting for dry ice blasting as a mold removal technique can be very effective but also costly. Usually, it ranges from as low as $500 to as much as $4,000. However, if the mold damage caused is quite extensive and runs across the whole house, you could easily end up paying from $20,000 up to 30,000. 

As a general rule of thumb, there’s a high likelihood that your attic will not experience much mold growth during the summer months because of the high temperatures that don't support mold growth. If no roof leaks are going on upstairs, the roof generates heat that will dry out any moisture and send it back to your home’s interior.

It’s essential to keep in mind that putting in place an effective mold prevention and maintenance program will do a lot in keeping your attic space away from mold growth, as well as mildew. Also, by reducing the amount of mold in your attic spaces, you’ll undoubtedly breathe healthier air.