MICHIANA Blog

3 Signs Your Attic May Have Mold

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If mold colonies are growing in your home, it can lead to respiratory issues and allergy symptoms for your family members. Since these spores require moisture to thrive, their presence is usually a sign of other problems. For example, roof leaks are one of the most common reasons behind fungal growth. This same moisture is likely to penetrate your attic insulation, making it ineffective at preventing heat transfer. To preserve your home's comfort and lower your utility bills, you will likely need to have this material removed and replaced. Here's how to tell if there's mold in your attic.

What Suggests Attic Mold Growth?

1. Roof Leaks

If you notice a leak in your attic, the first step should be to get roof repairs. However, mold might have already formed. Prod for damp or soft spots on the floor, walls, and ceiling, and arrange for a professional inspection if you notice any. If the leak only recently formed, good ventilation and attic fans can help evaporate the excess water and protect the room from mold.

2. Stained Surfaces

Mold and mildew can have many textures—from fuzzy to slick. Spots can appear white, green, pink, or black. When fungus grows on hard surfaces, like wooden flooring or drywall, it will cause visible discoloration. If inexplicable stains appear around the attic, mold is a likely culprit. 

Often, this visual will be accompanied by an earthy, dank, stale odor. Arrange for mold remediation before having damp materials replaced.

3. Interior Frost

Mold likes to grow in cool, damp environments. While a proper layer of attic insulation should keep the room warm and dry, in areas where it is thin, a layer of frozen condensation might appear on the underside of your roof during cold weather. Once this frost melts, it can infiltrate the surrounding joists, walls, and insulation, creating the perfect habitat for mold spores. This problem can also occur if your insulation is covering the attic ventilation system. Typically, switching out fiberglass batts for spray foam insulation will resolve this problem since it forms a stiffer barrier that can be more easily customized to the space.

If you have moldy attic insulation, turn to Koala Insulation of Michiana to get it replaced. With offices in both Michigan and Indiana, this experienced team offers exceptional customer service and sees every job through to your satisfaction. Indiana customers should call (574) 544-6433, or learn more about their services online. Michigan customers can reach an attic insulation specialist at (269) 266-3689, or discover more about their capabilities on their website.