What To Do About Moldy Insulation

Insulation is a critical part of your home’s heating and cooling system, which is why it’s essential to protect it with attic mold removal in Toronto. MoldTech’s mold inspection services can help uncover hidden attic mold that could be damaging and degrading your attic insulation, causing heating and cooling problems all over your home. Insulation in the basement, wall cavities, and around ductwork is at risk, too — read on to learn some of the common signs of insulation mold growth and what to do about it. 

Signs Your Insulation Has Mold

There are a couple of early warning signs that can alert you to moldy insulation:

1. Musty odours emanating from the walls, attic, or basement.
   • Insulation can trap and spread odour, even if the mold isn’t visible. 
2. Visible growth.
   • Mold can grow in many different colours and textures. If you spot an unusual stain or markings on your insulation, it’s time to have it tested for mold growth. 
3. Increased allergies or respiratory symptoms.
   • If you’re coughing or sneezing a lot, it might not be the flu — it could be an allergic response to mold growth. Headaches, sore throat, and itchy, dry eyes are also common. 
4. Water damage.
   • Leaks, condensation, and high humidity can all cause mold to grow on insulation, which should always be kept dry. 

Common Areas Where Insulation Gets Moldy

There’s insulation all over your house, working hard to keep your conditioned air in and the outdoor temperatures out. Because it lives in between the interior and exterior, it can be at an increased risk for mold growth. Some of the common places that MoldTech discovers moldy insulation include:

• The attic, where roof leaks, poor ventilation, and condensation can destroy insulation for months before homeowners notice signs or symptoms. 
• The basement or crawlspace is an area that traditionally has reduced airflow and plenty of opportunity for moisture buildup. Unexpected floods or leaks are one of the primary causes of basement mold removal. 
• Wall cavities with blown-in insulation may have mold problems when neighbouring structures like windows or doors allow water to leak in. Damage to your siding or brickwork can also let moisture in between your walls, sparking a mold infestation. 
• HVAC ducts are often insulated to keep warm or cool air protected from temperature changes. However, this can also result in humid air getting trapped in the system, causing mold problems. 

What Steps To Take When You Discover Moldy Insulation

If you identify an area that you think is affected by mold, the first step should be having your home professionally assessed with a mold inspection. During a MoldTech inspection, we’ll:

• Check for leaks in the roof, plumbing, windows, or doors. 
• Measure humidity. 
• Measure airflow and ventilation. 
• Identify areas with positive infestations through physical or air samples. 
• Use specialized tools to take peeks in hard-to-access areas, like wall cavities or the attic. 

All MoldTech mold removals prioritize human and environmental safety; these measures ensure there is no cross-contamination or further spread. We wear gloves, full PPE, and bag and remove moldy insulation or other mold-affected materials. We clean and disinfect using a natural biocide that’s non-toxic to humans and pets, aiming to leave your home cleaner than we found it.

The most important part of attic mold removal in Toronto is uncovering why and how the infestation started in the first place. The MoldTech team will share with you a list of recommendations for preventing mold growth in insulation, from using a dehumidifier in the basement to increasing ventilation and airflow. Following our recommendations leads to fewer recurring mold infestations because the conditions have changed — less moisture and more airflow, for example, prevent spores from taking root. 

To book an attic mold inspection or have our team assess your home for at-risk areas, call or email MoldTech today!

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