Have you started sneezing and coughing but you don’t have a cold? Is there a noticeable musty smell coming from your vents or in any particular areas of your home? These are signs of potential mold buildup in your home or attic. When this happens, mold spores can easily spread throughout your home via the ventilation system and trigger all types of health conditions. So if you are experiencing similar symptoms and suspect there are toxic spores in your attic, it’s important to perform a mold inspection and removal as quickly as possible.
In this article, we’ll show you how to spot the signs of mold and how to address it to create a healthy environment in your home.
Black or White Buildup
Mold isn’t always easy to find, but sometimes it stands out like a sore thumb. If you spot white and black spots growing on the roof, wood, joists, and drywall, it’s likely mold.
Rusty Nails
Mold growth in the attic space is caused by excess moisture. And you can easily spot a moisture problem by checking the nails in the attic. If the nails have rust spots on them, it’s a sign of a moisture issue that should be addressed.
Pools of Water
Not sure where mold might be hiding? Look out for areas of excessive condensation and pooling water and then lookup. Loose or broken shingles, or deteriorating spots and small holes can allow excess moisture into your home and cause mold growth.
Blocked Vents
The vents on the roof should also be checked to ensure they are moving air throughout the attic space and keeping moisture at bay. If the vents are blocked, the airflow will be impeded, the attic will feel humid, and condensation will be present – the perfect recipe for mold growth.
Failing Insulation
Your insulation will also give you some indication if there’s mold growing in your attic. When there’s too much moisture present, the insulation will also start to fail. Even if you don’t see any mold, sagging and damp insulation is a warning sign that mold can be expected.
Air Leaks
Mold can also be found around unsealed bypass areas in the attic. So it’s important that you inspect where the wires and cables enter the attic, as well as around the plumbing and furnace vents. If there’s condensation present these areas should be tightly sealed to prevent air from leaking into the attic. If you don’t know where all the bypass areas are in your attic, a trained expert can use an Infrared camera to detect them.
What To Do
If you find any of the above signs that mold is growing in your home, it’s important that you call in an expert to perform a mold inspection and remove it. In the meantime, you can set up a fan to dry out your attic or basement to prevent any further mold growth. Just remember that the sooner you address the issue, the better. Both black and white forms of mold are negatively affecting air quality and may lead to serious respiratory distress over time.
If you suspect mold in your home, your first step should be to contact us at Healthy Home Centre – Ottawa’s mold specialists. At Healthy Home Centre, we’ll take the necessary steps to remove the mold and create a healthy living environment for you and your family. We can take care of mold, asbestos, animal waste, ultra-fine particles, duct cleaning as well as basement finishing and rebuilds. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help improve your indoor air quality.
