Attic Moisture

Attic moisture can be a very big problem if it gets out of control. The mold that is caused by attic moisture can be detrimental to the health and structural strength of a home. So many problems can result from attic moisture, that this issue should be high on the priority list for any home owner. There are many reasons why attic moisture can be too high; the ideal levels can be changed for the worse by the smallest detail. Sometimes these tiny issues can only be detected by a professional, so be sure to use the free online quote form on this page to find a qualified contractor in your area. Excessive attic moisture is not something to be taken lightly under any circumstance.

Wet Attic Causes

There are a lot of ways moisture can get into the attic of a house. Moisture is found naturally in the air, and therefore will be in every space in your home at a certain level. During cold winter months the air will be drying with a lower humidity. Some climates have a high level of moisture during the warmer summer months whereas other areas have a dry heat and low humidity. During times of high humidity it is even more important that the attic moisture level is maintained below a level that can cause fungal growth. Moisture in the air will flow through the attic and should not normally become a problem unless you live in a place where it is very humid all the time.

The most common way that water finds its way into attics is leaks in the roofing. There are many different areas on a roof that can fail and allow water to seep in. The roof may not have been properly installed and this can cause leaks. Some of the materials used in the roofing may have been inferior and therefore are starting to crack before their lifetime should be up. Other times the roof may just be old and in need of replacement.

Many roof leaks are found around chimneys, vent pipes and in valleys where the volume of water flowing on the roof tends to be higher and therefore the tendency for failure is greater. No matter how the water leaks in, if the leak is not fixed within a short time frame mold will start to grow. A professional contractor will be able to look at both the inside and outside of the roof to determine where the leak is and how bet to fix it.

Mold Basics

Once moisture gets into the attic of a home, mold will start to grow and may require you to get attic insulation removal or other expensive tasks. The mold will continue to grow as long as the source of water and food are still there. The water source can be a high moisture level in the air or water infiltration from leaks. The food for the fungi is whatever material it happens to be growing on. Some molds love cellulose materials such as wood and paper products.

Most attics are full of these things in the form of roofing deck, insulation backing, structural beams and rafters, not to mention the boxes of stuff that might be stored up there. Once the mold starts to grow, it can literally eat away at the parts of the house that hold it together. Mold will grow better on the north facing side of a home because it tends to be cooler and therefore wetter on this side.

Many people have heard the horror stories of the deadly black mold. Most people have seen molds that are black in color all over the place, from the bathroom to the attic. Although attic moisture can cause the Stachybotrys genus, commonly called black mold, to grow, there are many different types of molds that are black in color but are not the kind everyone talks about. Molds can grow in all different colors from white to black, green to blue, and many colors in between. The only way to tell what genus you have in your home is to have a tape lift sample taken to a lab and analyzed. This can be done easily by many home remodel professionals.

Attic moisture problems can be a real headache if you have big ideas about a bonus room or storage area for your attic. The cost of mold removal can really put a damper on the plans you may have. Finding the right industry professional to help you make informed decisions about controlling attic moisture is the first step in making sure you don't have any fungus issues in the future. There are photos online of homes that did not take these precautions, and you don't want to end up on that top ten list.