In this article, we’ll be showing you how to get rid of toxic and harmless black mold in your attic.
Besides the basement, another sweet hangout spot for mold in the attic. This is because it has all the elements needed for it to thrive, and these include humidity, warmth, and food from sheathing wood.
How To Get Rid Of Black Mold In Attic
Another reason it’s a great spot for mold growth is that the homeowners hardly ever go there. This means the mold can grow in peace for many years without human interference.
If you are battling the issue in other areas of your home, here is a practical guide on black mold control.
Is Mold In Attic Common?
Yes, mold in the attic is very common, since that area provides all it needs to grow. Luckily, there are several means by which you can quickly deal with them.
We suggest hiring a professional to spare you of the risks involved with climbing up there.
According to statistics, most homeowners only realize they have attic mold just before they sell their home, thanks to the home buyer’s inspector.
That being said, is it wise to wait until you want to sell your home before you treat the attic for mold? No, it isn’t!
If you’d like to have mold problems solved once and for all, then we suggest you keep reading.
Signs You Have Attic Mold
As we have said before, many homeowners hardly visit their attic, so mold growth can go unnoticed.
Honestly, the best way to discover the problem is by visiting the attic once in a couple of months. It is only when the problem has been discovered that an attic mold remediation or attic mold treatment can begin.
Below are some clear signs you have some attic mold to deal with.
- Dark black stains on wooden surfaces in the attic
- The attic feels excessively warm
- A build-up of frost on the roof’s underside
- Wet or black insulation in the attic
- Dripping water from smoke detectors or light fixtures (shows that the floor above has moisture problems)
- Mildew smell coming from the attic
Attic Mold Causes
Generally, mold problems anywhere are caused by moisture. This means for you to have a mold problem, it automatically means you have a pre-existing moisture problem.
Below are the more specific causes of mold in your attic, and they are all connected to moisture.
Poor ventilation: It’s a no-brainer, moisture can be retained in rooms that are poorly ventilated.
Poor exhausting of bathroom fans and dryer vents: This too can lead to further moisture problems.
Leaking roofs or pipes: A leak simply implies that water is not being channeled out through the right path, instead it’s creeping in-between inappropriate spaces.
Conducting an attic mold removal may solve the problem now, but if these moisture issues remain, then the mold will surely come back. This is why you need to fix the moisture issue before you even think of getting rid of the mold.
A professional service can help you fix these issues, and once your moisture problem is solved, your attic mold problem will also be solved in the long term.
How To Clean Mold In Attic [3 Treatment Options]
After you have fixed the moisture problem, it’s time to put your attic back in prime condition.
To treat attic mold, there are two options you can take.
- Getting rid of the attic mold yourself (DIY attic mold removal)
- Professional attic mold remediation
Since you’re reading this article, it is safe to assume that you’re a DIY person who doesn’t mind getting his/her hands dirty. If that is the case, let us take a look at how you can go about attic mold removal.
Option 1. DIY Attic Mold Removal
Before you head up to the attic, keep in mind that it is one of the most dangerous places in your home. The reasons are obvious, it is elevated and you need to do some climbing before you get there.
One slip and you could come crashing down and cause yourself some injury. Besides taking a hard fall, other potential hazards can be found up there.
These include nesting animals, bare electrical wires, and protruding nails. All these can leave you startled, electrocuted, and pierced in the foot.
This is why you have to take caution when doing any sort of work up there, not just attic mold remediation.
Now that you understand how “unfriendly” your attic could be, you might want to consider calling the pros to help you. But if the situation in your attic is manageable, then we can proceed.
How To Remove Mold From Attic Plywood
If your attic has a moisture problem, then you can expect mold to grow on the plywood. Removing mold from plywood isn’t difficult, just follow the steps below.
Inspect the attic: The first thing you need to do is inspect the attic and make sure it is safe for you to work.
If there are naked wires or nesting animals in there, we advise you to forget it and call the pros.
Wear protection: If after your inspection you find that you can safely work in the attic, then you can proceed.
But you still need to put on a pair of rubber gloves to protect your fingers from touching the mold and cleaning substances.
You should also put on a pair of goggles and a facemask to guard your eyes and nose against mold particles. These can also keep you from inhaling harmful chemicals contained in a mold removal spray.
Use attic mold removal spray: These sprays are designed to remove mold from attic plywood and other areas they may have settled. It can also be used to remove mold from attic rafters and ceilings.
You can buy the spray from a home improvement store near you to fight attic mold. All you have to do is read and follow the instructions on the container for the best results.
To use this spray, aim at the affected plywood and spray the content across. Wait for as long as the manufacturer asks you to before wiping the mold off with a dry cloth or scrubbing it off with a brush.
Keep in mind that the way you use the product will depend on each manufacturer’s specific instructions.
It is also worth mentioning that bleach isn’t the best product to use for plywood mold removal. This is because bleach cannot penetrate the pores of the wood, it can only work on the surface.
How To Remove Mold From Attic Sheathing
There are several approaches by which you can use to remove mold from attic sheathing.
These include the following –
- Hand sanding
- Encapsulation
- Dry ice blasting
While sanding and blasting are effective in removing mold from attic sheathing, using fungicides as insurance is still advisable.
Let’s not forget, dry icing can be pretty expensive so you have to consider the cost first.
Option 2: Professional Attic Mold Remediation
Getting rid f black mold in the attic is far from an easy task, and this is why you might want to consider hiring a professional.
We have already listed out the dangers involved with climbing up there, and why it is a job best left for seasoned pros.
Besides the dangers involved, it is really a complex job, especially if the mold infestation is really bad. A person with little to no experience who decides to do the job on his or her own will probably get it wrong the first time.
In this instance, the mold situation could actually go from bad to worse, as the household may become further exposed to the hazardous effects of mold.
Hiring a professional will indeed cost you a decent sum in mold removal fees, but you can rest assured the job will be properly done.
One thing you can expect a professional to recommend is abrasive blasting. Here, the contractor will blast off the top layer of infested wood via dry ice, sand, or soda ash.
As you can imagine, this procedure is expensive, and that is why it isn’t such a popular option. It is also a very noisy and labor-intensive method of attic mold removal, so you can expect some inconveniences at home while work is ongoing.
However, it is a very thorough approach and it guarantees that the mold in your attic will be gone.
You can save money by fixing the water issues yourself, but don’t think that will instantly remove the mold. Agreed, fixing the water issues can ensure mold doesn’t return to your attic, but that’s a long-term fix, not instant.
If you want the mold gone today, then you have to make moves today.
Conclusion
You can either remove the attic mold yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. If you insist on the DIY approach, then you can remove mold with a simple attic mold removal spray.
However, you have to first understand the risks associated with attic work before you begin. Do all you can to protect yourself while you work.
Professionals will be more thorough though, as they will employ more effective, more expensive attic mold remediation methods.
The choice is yours.
Good luck!