TL;DR: Attic Mold Remediation
Mold in the attic is a common issue for Seattle homeowners due to high humidity and poor ventilation. It is typically caused by a combination of moisture (leaks) and lack of airflow, which creates a breeding ground for spores.
To fix it, you can't just replace shingles; you must treat the surfaces using scrubbing or chemical fumigation and then address the root cause by fixing ventilation, leaks, and insulation. RoofSmart provides in-house remediation using a specialized two-part fogging system that kills existing mold and prevents future growth.
Did you recently discover mold in your attic but are unsure how to address it? Are you wondering who the right person is to help you get rid of the mold?
Due to the rainy climate, many homeowners throughout the Seattle area experience issues with mold. Just like you, they want to make sure that they are taking all of the steps necessary to both clean up the mold and prevent it from returning.
At RoofSmart, we pride ourselves on our thorough inspection process which includes checking the attic for issues like mold.
Unlike a typical roofing contractor, we offer mold remediation services in-house. This means that we help customers get rid of mold in their homes and prevent it from returning in addition to providing our regular roofing services.
This article will walk you through the process of identifying and getting rid of mold in your attic. By the end of this article, you’ll know how to get rid of mold and who is best suited to help you with the different steps along the way.
What are some indicators that I have mold in my attic?
There are some warning signs that can indicate that you might have mold in your attic:
- The smell: If there is a lot of mold in your attic, you will likely notice a musty smell when you go in.
- Ghosting: You might notice faint black lines where the ceiling joists are (this would look like parallel black lines about every 2 feet apart on your ceiling).
- Are you having respiratory issues?: If you have mold in your attic, it’s possible that you or someone living in your house might be having problems breathing or getting sick a lot. This does not always happen, but it can correlate with mold.
If you are noticing even just one of these things, it might be a good idea to send someone into the attic just to verify whether or not there is mold present.
What causes mold in the attic?
Two prominent causes of mold in an attic are poor ventilation and moisture. Mold thrives in a dark, damp environment with plenty of wood and a lack of airflow.
So, when your roof’s ventilation is not working properly due to blockage or some other issue, and there are leaks in the roof, this is the perfect breeding ground for mold.
Another cause of mold in the attic is a lack of insulation. This is a problem because you’ll get condensation in the roof environment due to heat loss from the house that transfers into the cold attic. This buildup of moisture, combined with a lack of airflow, will very likely lead to mold.
How can I get rid of mold in my attic?
In order to get rid of mold in your attic, you must be thorough and ensure that every surface gets cleaned and that you address the causes of the mold. Otherwise, it will probably return.
The first step is having a mold specialist come out and treat the mold. This is not just a simple matter of replacing the roof because that will not get rid of the mold. It’s in the insulation, on the rafters, on the ceiling, in the joists, and on the drywall.
There are two ways a mold specialist can treat the issue. One way is to completely remove all of the insulation and then scrub every surface of the attic.
This is very labor-intensive and tedious because you have to make sure that every little corner and crevice is cleaned. And afterward, the attic must be reinsulated.
The other method of addressing mold is fumigation. This sends out a chemical spray all around the attic that kills mold and prevents it from returning.
This does not require scrubbing and is great for the small crevices because the chemical reaches anywhere that the air can reach. This also allows you to salvage some of your insulation.
Both methods end up costing about the same amount. You’re either paying more for insulation and labor, or more for a higher-grade chemical.
How can a roofing contractor help me get rid of mold in my attic?
Roofing contractors can help by taking out sheets of moldy plywood and replacing them with new ones. However, this must be paired with some other form of mold remediation, or it will not be helpful. Everything must be cleaned, or the mold won’t actually be taken care of.
Addressing the root causes of mold (poor ventilation, leaks, and lack of insulation) is the second step in getting rid of mold and is equally as important as cleaning.
You might require a roofer to come out for a roof repair (or maybe even a whole replacement) to fix up your ventilation, get rid of leaks, or reinstall insulation.
It is important to make sure that your roof’s ventilation system is up to code and that nothing is preventing it from working properly. Leaks on the roof should also be taken care of as quickly as possible to stop the buildup of moisture.
How can RoofSmart help me clean up and get rid of mold?
Typically, roofing contractors are not trained in mold remediation and can only help with things like fixing leaks or ventilation issues. This means that usually you would need to bring in a mold specialist to help with the initial cleaning.
However, we at RoofSmart are trained in mold remediation. What we use is a two-part fumigation system. One is hydrogen peroxide as a fog, and that sterilizes everything on a surface level, but that doesn’t keep the mold from coming back.
So the second thing we do is apply an aerosol treatment that applies a nano barrier of little spikes that will rupture mold spores. So this kills the mold, and whenever mold tries to land on it again, this treatment prevents it from coming back.
This means that RoofSmart can help with both the mold remediation AND the other elements that a roofing contractor can help with (such as leaks, ventilation, and replacing plywood).
How can I prevent the mold from returning to my attic?
The best, most effective thing that you can do to prevent mold from returning is to ensure that ALL of the following gets done:
- Clean the entire attic, including areas that might not have visible mold yet
- Make sure that your roof’s ventilation system is working properly
- Fix any leaks in or around the roof
- Make sure that the attic has the proper amount of insulation
If you don’t follow all of these steps, then the problem won’t actually be fixed and the mold will come back again.
In the future, if you notice any leaks or have reason to believe that your ventilation system isn’t working properly, you should reach out to a roofing contractor as soon as possible.
What’s my first step to get rid of mold in my attic?
Tackling mold issues can be a tough job, but after reading this article, you know that it doesn’t have to be a confusing or complicated process.
To clear your attic of the mold, call in a specialist. Then, you’ll want to contact a roofing company to make sure that your ventilation and insulation are up to par, and that there are no leaks on or around your roof.
To save yourself the hassle of coordinating between contractors and to get both of these services from the same company, call up RoofSmart at (206) 487-4877. Or, fill out this short form to schedule an inspection. We look forward to helping you with your roofing needs!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the first signs of mold in my attic?
Look for a musty smell, physical dark spotting or "ghosting" (black lines following ceiling joists), or unusual respiratory issues among residents. If you notice any of these, an attic inspection is necessary.
2. Why did mold start growing in my attic suddenly?
It is usually a balance issue. If you recently added insulation or sealed air leaks without updating your ventilation, you may have trapped warm, moist air against the cold roof deck, causing condensation.
3. Is fumigation better than scrubbing for mold removal?
Fumigation (fogging) is often more effective for reaching small crevices and can sometimes allow you to salvage existing insulation. Manual scrubbing is effective but extremely labor-intensive and requires replacing all insulation.
4. Can I just replace my roof to get rid of the mold?
No. Replacing the roof fixes the cause (if there was a leak), but the mold spores on the rafters, joists, and insulation will remain. You must treat the existing mold specifically or it will continue to spread.
5. How does RoofSmart’s mold treatment work?
We use a two-part system: a hydrogen peroxide fog to sterilize surfaces, followed by an aerosol "nano-barrier" treatment that physically ruptures any new mold spores that try to land on the wood.
6. Is my attic company just trying to upsell me on remediation?
It’s a fair question. To help you decide, read our guide on how to tell if your attic mold is actually a serious issue or an upsell.
7. How do I fix ventilation in an older home without causing more mold?
Older homes "breathe" differently. If you have a historic house, you should look at our case study on venting old Seattle homes safely.
8. Are Seattle roofs more prone to these moisture issues?
Yes, our climate is unique. You can learn why Pacific Northwest homes are at higher risk for condensation and mold.
9. How do I tell the difference between a roof leak and condensation?
They look similar but require different fixes. We break down the visual cues in our article on Roof Leak vs. Condensation.
10. Who is the actual authority on attic ventilation codes in our area?
If you want to ensure your remediation and ventilation fix meet legal standards, check out our guide on attic ventilation codes and compliance.
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