Getting rid of mold in the attic can be a dangerous undertaking and is not advised. Professionals who have access to proper safety gear such as gloves, respirator masks, and other essential items to guarantee their safety should be hired instead. If you do feel confident in your ability to rid the wood of mold growth, then there are a few ways how to go about it. The first thing to understand is that the attic should function as a space where the heat is trapped and released through a series of vents. In normal circumstances, the heat generated from the furnace as well as other systems in the house like bathroom vents should escape with relative ease through the several vents placed on the roof. The air that is supposed to escape is called outtake air.
Fresh air is supposed to enter from the soffit through a series of vents called intake air from underneath the soffit. The goal of the vents is to provide a continuous circulation of air that exists from the vents on the roof or installed directly in the attics. Gables are an older system that appears like a shutter blind. Modern ventilation systems that are installed on the roofs of most modern homes are called box vents. These are commonly known as box vents because of their shape.
If the air is not properly circulated the hot air will naturally rise and meet the cold front on the roof. Molds usually start in the colder winter months. In cases where the roof leaks moisture can seep onto the insulation creating the perfect environment to start mold growth as well.
Usually, mold develops on plywood and on the rafters. As the moisture enters these wooden structures, it can also start to rot the wood. Home inspectors can flag the attic for mold which makes selling the home difficult.
Large areas for mold remediation should always be left to professionals since mold growth is extremely dangerous. If you find large patches of mold growth on the rafters or the plywood, call the professionals from Attic Insulation Toronto. In most cases we encounter, there is an issue with either moisture or ventilation or both and should be looked at by a professional team. Being in direct or indirect contact with mold can lead to inhaling mold spores which can have adverse health effects.
Before you start cleaning mold make sure you wear protective clothing and ventilate the area properly while working in the attic! Fresh air should always circulate.
- Long sleeve shirts
- Pants
- Completely sealed shoes
- Gloves
- Respirator mask
- Goggles
Getting rid of the mold on the wood in the attic is a simple process, but one that takes a bit of effort.
The first thing you need to do is properly seal the work area. You can lay down a plastic tarp or sheet to catch the particles.
Use a WET VACUUM to remove the moisture. Do not use a regular vacuum.
A very popular method is to use dry ice. The method is easy a can be quite enjoyable for seeing direct results. Dry ice is needed and can be loaded into a pressurized gun. Caution is required and gloves need to be always worn. Once the dry ice latches on the mold it effectively removes it.
Now carefully dispose of the tarp and seal it in a plastic bag. Make sure that none of the material escapes.
If you are dealing with mold in the attic, call professional services from Attic Insulation Toronto!