Most people are aware that living with mold is dangerous. It is a well-known fact that it is a significant cause of many health problems and has been known to lead to mental health issues. Still, getting rid of mold is not easy. It is not a do-it-yourself project or one you would want to trust someone lacking experience in eliminating. The risks are far too high.
But what if the mold in your home is far away from your living space? Like in your attic? Your family is safe from exposure, and you can just shut the door and live your life without fear of risk. It would seem that is a good idea initially, but to understand why this might be a bad idea, here are a few things you should know about mold.
Mold Never Stays Put
Remember that if you’ve discovered mold in your attic or cellar, it grew from something. Once mold finds a good food source, it can not be contained. You may see mold on the surface but what you see is only a tiny bit of what is growing beneath the surface. Mold can penetrate deep into anything that surrounds what it feeds on. So, if you see it growing on the walls, you can be sure that it is already spreading throughout your home’s insulation, carpet, tiles, and drywall.
It Grows Super Fast
Under the right conditions, you’d be surprised at how fast mold can spread. Mold loves anything with moisture. If you have mold in your home, look around for the source. It’s a good bet that it will be someplace damp, a leaky pipe, rooms with high humidity, bathrooms, or anywhere where condensation is allowed to build up. Once that moisture level is introduced, it only takes mold spores 48 hours to start spreading, and it won’t stop as long as favorable conditions remain.
How to Stop Mold In Your Attic
Attics are ideal places for mold to build up because the air in your home will naturally travel up, and as it does so, it will bring all the moisture that builds up in your home with it. Every time you shower, cook or take a bath, steam, humidity, or condensation will travel with it, eventually lodging into your attic walls.
The secret to keeping mold from starting in your attic is to follow some simple steps.
- Make sure your attic is adequately ventilated.
- Take steps to prevent any water damage
- Keep roof, gutters, downspouts, and chimneys clear of debris
- Repair pipes, hoses, and drains as soon as they develop a problem
If you do find that you find mold in your attic, you must act quickly. This silent pest is insidious and will not go away on its own. Your priority is to discover the source of the moisture and fix it. You may think you can get rid of it on your own, but chances are you’ll only get rid of the mold you can see. It’s a good idea to get a professional to ensure you have successfully tackled the problem and eliminated any chance for a return. After all, it is not just a nuisance but a real threat to your and your family’s health. You can do this by giving us, the experts at Air Quality Inc. a call!
