{"id":578,"date":"2022-07-11T11:39:20","date_gmt":"2022-07-11T11:39:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/easternext.com\/?p=578"},"modified":"2022-11-17T18:42:43","modified_gmt":"2022-11-17T18:42:43","slug":"how-to-prevent-attic-mold-growth-5-roof-maintenance-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/easternext.com\/how-to-prevent-attic-mold-growth-5-roof-maintenance-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Prevent Attic Mold Growth: 5 Roof Maintenance Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dealing with a leaking roof can be frustrating for homeowners. A leaky roof is a structural problem creating an unsafe environment and posing many health risks.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roof leakage can occur after storm damage<\/a>, improper roof installation & replacement service<\/strong><\/a>, or lack of common household maintenance. Failure to respond in a timely manner can result in a serious problem of mold and mildew growth.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mold flourishes in the area where it finds moisture. Roof leakage causes excessive attic moisture and a surplus of mold growth, causing severe damage to your home and posing critical health issues such as allergies, asthma, rhinitis, and inflammation. Hiring a professional roofing contractor<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>can fix your structural issue and eradicate the mold and mildew. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Causes Attic Mold & How to Remove it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Inadequate roof ventilation and an indoor source of building moisture can cause attic mold. However, the most prominent causation is roof leaks, providing an ideal opportunity for mold development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A dangerous misconception is that mold stays within your walls. Mold is fast growing and spreads like wildfire. It can be found in carpets, wallpaper, walls, wooden surfaces, floors- anywhere that stays wet or damp- including bathrooms and basements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Attic mold growth can come in different colors and forms. Black mold is the most dangerous. It releases mycotoxin, a chemical released in the air that harms human health causing allergic reactions such as wheezing, coughing, and runny noses. It can even affect those who are not sensitive to mold. Leak-proofing your home is extremely important if you or your family suffer from any of these conditions and have sensitive or compromised immune systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These five maintenance tips create a mold-free environment and prolong the lifespan of your roof. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) Prevent roof leakage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A leaking roof indicates that you could have a mold problem. Roof leakage allows excess moisture into your home or where two joints meet in the attic. Repairing or replacing any deteriorating spots on the roof can also help prevent timely mold infiltration. If you see worn moisture barriers, damaged shingles or pipe flashing, caps or shingles, or clogged gutters and downspouts, make sure to fix them right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Check for lifted shingles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When shingles start drying or becoming brittle they tend to start pushing the shingles upward and expose damaged shingles outward.  This is allowing moisture to sweep into the interior of your home. Mold grows on shingles and creates dark spots. Examine for any shingle damage and hire roofers<\/strong> to do the repair or replace the roof shingles if required. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) Ensure proper ventilation <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proper ventilation is essential in preventing mold- It keeps the moisture controlled. Moisture is inevitable, but with adequate ventilation in place, it helps reduce moisture build-up by allowing air movement through the attic space and keep it free from mold especially in Winter. During Winter the use of heat-producing appliances is elevated, causing warm air to rise to the ceiling, enter the attic, and vaporize on the attic’s cold surfaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4) Inspect any gaps or holes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Do not make the mistake of avoiding any gaps that can create attic moisture issues. Make sure that the gaps are not loose, bent, or damaged in any way to prevent water from seeping in between the different parts of the roof and into your home. Preventing is key when it comes to roof damage, stay mindful of the gaps forming so they don\u2019t become sources of unwanted moisture. Common culprits are skylights, moisture barriers, ductwork, and chimneys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5) Ensure sufficient attic insulation <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attic insulation plays a crucial role in controlling the temperature and moisture levels in the attic. In a cold climate, the attic temperature should match or be close to the outside air temperature. Ensuring your attic floor is insulated correctly can reduce the air transfer between the living area and the attic. It is also vital that the insulation of the other regions or surfaces of the attic, such as those of heating ducts, are in good shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is critical to maintain roofing regularly to prevent leakage. There are some things you can do easily to protect your roof from growing mold:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n