Mold can grow anywhere in the home, but it is particularly common in the attic. There are a number of reasons for this, and a number of key reasons you need to deal with it quickly. In this post, we will explore the issue in more depth.

How Mold in the Attic Becomes a Problem

Mold is created by a type of fungus that is actually closely related to mushrooms. Like many other mushrooms, this fungus reproduces through spores which can attach to any surface in order to begin growing.

And like many other types of fungus, a lot of mold is toxic: releasing toxins called mycotoxins which can cause a host of health issues ranging from headaches, to asthma, to eczema.

While that is true though, there are also a number of conditions that are necessary to ideally support mold growth. These include moisture (like other plants, mold needs watering) as well as organic matter that the mold can eat.

This explains two reasons that mold often settles in the attic. Firstly, attics provide a space that is often cold, which allows condensation to settle. Hot steam rises when you have your baths and showers, and this then condenses once it finds its way into the attic, creating wet surfaces.

Another source of moisture in the attic comes from outside. Because there is not much between your attic and the cold air outside, it is easy for moisture to leak into the space and to create an environment ripe for mold. The large amounts of wooden beams and rafters meanwhile make perfect food for mold, while the insulation can also offer sustenance.

These factors combined means that mold has all the conditions it needs to thrive. And the fact that there are no windows (so cool air can’t circulate and dry the area) and few people enter the attic regularly… these only compound the issues further.

The Issue and How to Deal With It

Why is this a problem? Of course, mold can cause a number of health issues. Even though you might not be able to see the mold in your attic, it is still producing spores that enter the air that you breathe. This can lead to all the health issues previously discussed.

Moreover, mold can cause damage to your property. This can be a serious issue in the attic as it can lead to leaks and structural problems.

For all these reasons, it is important to inspect for mold and to treat it quickly when found. Try hiring a mold remediation company. They will carry out mold testing in order to identify if there is a problem. From there, they can use mold detection in order to locate the source, and finally removal in order to clean the area. They can then make suggestions and provide advice to help you ensure that mold doesn’t become an issue in future.

Don’t let this become a case of “out of sight, out of mind.” The mold you can’t see is the worst mold of all!