Have you discovered mold in your attic and assumed your mold warranty would take care of it, only to find yourself reading the fine print in panic? Are you worried that even after paying for mold remediation, your warranty won’t actually protect you unless you jump through hidden hoops?
You’re not alone. Most homeowners don’t realize that mold warranties are conditional, and many companies don’t make that clear upfront.
At RoofSmart, we are one of the few roofing companies that offer mold remediation services. Mold warranties and remediation certificates can cause a lot of confusion. We’ve helped hundreds of customers get rid of mold in their attic and learn how to cover their bases in case they need the mold warranty.
In this article, we’ll break down what mold warranties really cover, give examples of what they can require of you to remain valid, and explain how to avoid getting left with an attic full of mold and no help in sight.
What will the mold warranty for my attic cover?
Most roof or attic mold warranties are subject to you having changed the conditions that caused the mold, regardless of what the warranty says or how long it's supposed to last. This applies to pretty much any mold warranty, so whether it's in your crawl space, in your living space, or in your attic, your warranty will require you to change the underlying conditions.
Now, what that means is that companies don't honor most warranties. Why? Because a mold treatment company just comes in and treats the mold. They're not assessing the whole attic and making other changes to prevent mold. Technically, it's not their job. They just come to your house and clean up the mold.
Changing the underlying conditions can look like a lot of different things. For example, the mold remediation company might say in the warranty that you have to maintain humidity at less than 50 percent at all times.
What are the requirements in RoofSmart’s mold warranty?
To avoid voiding your attic mold warranty, you need to make sure that you meet the requirements listed and take the right steps to prevent mold from returning.
No one really publishes any information about their attic mold warranties, so it’s hard to know what’s generally required when you get one. We’ll use RoofSmart’s warranty as an example.
At RoofSmart, we offer a 3-year warranty for mold remediation if you have it done while we redo your roof and fix everything (like fixing leaks and ventilation problems). If you don’t have your roof redone and make those improvements, then the warranty only covers you for 90 days.
After the mold remediation, here’s what needs to be true to maintain your warranty with RoofSmart:
- Keep humidity levels below 50%
- Make sure ducts are properly attached or sealed
- Have no new moisture events or water intrusions
- Have ventilation issues resolved by a licensed roofer or contractor within 45 days of the mold remediation treatment
If you meet all of these requirements and new mold appears, then we’ll retreat your attic for free. If you want to check that the mold remediation is working after one year, we’ll send someone out to do an air quality test.
How do I prevent attic mold from returning and keep my mold warranty?
Having someone come out and treat the mold in your attic is only the first step in actually getting rid of it. If you stop after that, then the mold is going to return.
Here’s what you have to do to keep mold out of your attic:
- Update attic ventilation
- Add more insulation (if needed)
- Fix leaks
- Replace moldy wooden boards or insulation
All of these issues can contribute to mold growing in the attic, so they need to be taken care of. The mold company doesn’t do anything except for cleaning up mold, so it’s up to you to hire someone to take these steps (even better if you can hire a roofing contractor to do it all, including the mold remediation).
These are the most common issues that contribute to attic mold. However, there might be other less obvious issues that are causing mold in your attic. For example, if the crawl space under your house has a lot of moisture and no vapor barrier, then that moisture can migrate up through your roof to the attic and cause issues.
How long do roof mold warranties last?
Usually, warranties for attic mold are for 2 to 3 years. Some companies might even offer a lifetime warranty. But remember that if you don’t take the right amount of steps (by doing whatever is listed in the warranty), then you won’t get warranty coverage.
How can a roofer help me keep my attic mold warranty?
If you hire a mold remediation company to get rid of mold in your attic, then they will come in and scrub the attic or use chemicals to treat it.
Even though that’s all that they do, they will still expect you to take steps to prevent mold from returning. If you don’t change the conditions in your attic, mold will likely return.
So, your next step is to bring in a roofer to help you fix up your attic. An experienced roofer can help you update your attic ventilation so that there is better airflow and less humidity in your attic. They can also replace insulation and plywood as needed or fix any leaks.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of finding a mold remediation company and a roofer (and any other contractor you might need), then you can look for a roofer who also offers mold remediation services (like RoofSmart does). That way, you can get everything you need done by one company.
What should you do if there is already mold in your attic?
Even if your attic mold warranty sounds strong on paper, the truth is: unless you've met all the conditions listed in the fine print, that coverage could vanish when you need it most. Mold remediation companies rarely fix the underlying issues that cause mold in the first place, and most warranties hinge on you handling those issues yourself.
At RoofSmart, we make the mold warranty process as clear and fair as possible, but even our coverage requires you to take specific steps to keep mold from returning.
If you’re already seeing signs of mold in your attic, your next move matters. The sooner you act, and the smarter your approach, the better your chances of solving the problem permanently and keeping your warranty intact.
Now that you understand what your mold warranty does and doesn't cover, it’s time to take control of the situation.
Read our article “What Should I Do If I Have Mold In My Attic?” so you can take the right steps before the damage (and the costs) escalate.
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