The Role of Attic Ventilation in Mold Prevention
The number one service we perform at MoldTech is attic mold removal in Mississauga and the GTA. Several common problems in attic ecology, insulation, and ventilation affect the likelihood of attic mold growth, of which mold testing can play an essential role in prevention. In today’s article, we’ll pay close attention to the role that attic ventilation plays in mold prevention and give you several generalized tips for getting airflow right.
Why Attics Get Mold
There are many reasons mold grows throughout a home, and several more commonly affect attics. The MoldTech crew has crawled into hundreds of attics and peered into many dark gables and up sheathing to find the cause of attic mold growth. Whether you have access to your attic, use it, or never visit it, attics will get mold issues for various reasons.
The single most important cause of attic mold growth is excess moisture. This can occur through roof damage, leaky pipes, humidity, and, most importantly, ventilation problems. Moisture that can actively dry up or be whisked out by airflow isn’t a concern — it’s when the moisture lingers that you end up with mold problems.
How Does Decreased Ventilation Happen?
Ideally, your attic has stayed the same throughout your home’s lifespan. But it’s often the things we do to improve our homes that accidentally increase the likelihood of mold. For example, the MoldTech team has seen countless attics where well-meaning homeowners eager to improve their energy efficiency have increased their attic insulation. Whether done by professionals or DIY, this new insulation covers up soffit vents or disturbs the balance too much. Other common issues are that old insulation is already suffering a slight mold issue, and the new material is simply placed on top, covering and incubating the spores into a more significant infestation.
Many older homes were constructed in an age when ventilation and insulation were minimal, and adding new insulation skews the functionality of air vents and other ventilation strategies. This balancing act between insulation, ventilation, and moisture is critical to preventing attic mold growth, but it's easy to forget or ignore.
Shouldn’t the Attic be Airless?
There is a mistaken idea that attics should be airtight, but they rely on ventilation to remain functional. Air must move through the attic to create a viable thermal barrier and keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Air, as we’ve mentioned, is also critical in the fight against mold growth, so promoting ventilation is critical for many processes that keep your home comfortable.
Getting Attic Ventilation Right
The second mistaken idea people have is that attics suffering from poor ventilation simply need more fans or vents. However, adding more ventilation isn’t necessarily the best strategy to prevent mold. It’s about adding the right amount of ventilation for your attic space, insulation, and other factors. This is something challenging to assess on your own, and it’s where mold testing can help.
At MoldTech, a complete attic mold inspection will examine the various factors affecting your attic’s ecosystem, such as ventilation, insulation, humidity, and more. We’ll also look for areas that may be at risk of developing mold and problems, such as roof damage, leaking or condensing pipes, air leaks, and more. Once we understand all of these issues, we can make the right recommendations for creating a functional attic environment that’s a mold-free air barrier for your home.
Attic Mold Remediation in Mississauga
Creating a mold-free attic isn’t hard, but it takes knowledge and analysis beyond most general contractors and weekend warriors. Your attic is more than just a dark room full of insulation or a place to store junk — balancing humidity, ventilation, and moisture is critical to preventing mold growth and avoiding costly damage and repairs. Contact MoldTech today to learn more about attic mold removal in Mississauga and book your free visual inspection.
