Attic Ventilation Mold

If your attic sheathing doesn t look like new construction and is visibly black or white stained like this picture you likely have a ventilation issue that needs to be addressed and mold remediated.

Attic ventilation mold.

We have 7 roof vents and eve vents every 4. I know it seems counter intuitive but the basic ventilation principal for your attic is to keep it as cool as possible during the cold season. First air enters through the soffit vents. Poor attic ventilation not enough ventilation in the attic is the most common reason for black mold being found in attics in places with cold climates.

And many homes with terrible attic ventilation are completely mold free. If one of these factors is operating poorly an attic might avoid mold growth by succeeding well in the other factor. Insufficient ventilation in that attic. While damp and warm climates are a prime breeding ground for our fuzzy friend other conditions that bring mold include lack of ventilation and proper sheathing.

High humidity in a space like an attic can lead to mold and a spill in a carpeted area of your home that isn t quickly taken care of can also lead to mold under the carpet. This is twice this house had done. Yet many attics with ventilation far superior to the code requirements suffer from mold issues. Attic ventilation is a two part process.

Why does attic mold rarely if ever affect indoor air quality in homes. Having one but not the other creates poor air flow allowing moisture to accumulate and mold to take hold. This is a 3 12 pitch roof. Ideally your roof will have vents along the ridge as well as along the soffits.

Additionally poorly designed attic ventilation can be just as problematic. For example if a house has poor attic ventilation but the ceiling is well air sealed and the interior of the home has excellent ventilation mold growth will not likely occur. Many of us think the opposite and seal all of the attic vents or even insulate the roof decking assuming it will lower our heating bill. The most common cause of attic mold by far is blocked or insufficient ventilation of the attic space.

Attics usually have a passive ventilation system in which outside air comes in through the soffit eave vents at the bottom warms up in the attic and escapes through the can or ridge vents at the top because hot air rises. We were told we had to much ventilation going into our attic why isn t our attic breathing properly.