It’s easy to ignore mold when it’s growing where you can’t see it. Mold in the attic may not seem like a big deal, but mold growth results from excessive moisture in the attic, which also can be highly damaging to structural elements and fixtures. Water intrusion may lead to rotted wood, bubbled paint on the home’s exterior, warped shingles, and ruined insulation in addition to mold growth. The best way to prevent these issues is to seal leaks in the attic while improving attic ventilation.
Water can enter and lead to mold in the attic in a number of different ways. One is through leaky roof penetrations. Another is through the attic floor in the form of water vapor from cooking and showering in the floors below. Yet another is if kitchen ranges, bathroom exhaust fans and dryers are vented to the attic. Any such vents should be redirected outside.
Even if you address leaky roof penetrations, improve insulation on the attic floor to keep water vapor out, and vent the dryer to the exterior, water may still manage to find its way into your attic. Proper attic ventilation can help eliminate this moisture.
Vents should be installed at the eaves if they don’t already exist. Make sure the vents are not blocked by insulation so air can enter. The fresh air circulates through the attic, drying any water that may have gotten in. The air then escapes through a ridge vent, which should be installed at the peak of the roof. Breezes and temperature differences should naturally bring outdoor air through the attic, but you can increase circulation even more by installing an attic fan to actively pump air through the space.
With improved ventilation and air leak sealing, you can prevent moisture intrusion that leads to mold in the attic. You’ll be left with a dry, durable attic. For more information on preventing mold in your home and other home comfort tips, please contact Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning today. We serve the Fresno area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about mold in the attic and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Donald P Dick Air Conditioning services the greater Fresno area in California. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
| Ventilation image via Shutterstock |