Cold leads to mold? Experts say, yes

This years long blast of snow and frigid temperatures has delivered one rough winter, and it may have brought on something else that homeowners would never even expect this time of year: mold in the attic.

This winter has been particularly harsh on Michigan attics. The extreme low temperatures cause a greater temperature difference on the underside of the roof decking causing frost, ice damming and subsequent mold growth on surfaces, said Brian Carson, president of Elliot Environmental, Bay City.

A common misconception is that attic mold problems are caused by a roof leak. Although this is possible it is not the typical cause, Carson explained.

In Michigan, mold in attics is typically caused by conditions in the attic space. The cause of these conditions could be one or a combination of the following; lack of proper cross ventilation, lack of insulation, improper venting of bathroom or range hood fans and sometimes improper venting of clothes dryers.

This temperature difference or humidity causes the underside of the roof decking or sheathing to become damp. Because the roof decking material is a food source, mold begins to grow on the surfaces of the damp wood.

But there are many ways that homeowners can take action.

Take a look through the attic to assess dark areas, spotty areas, frost accumulation. If you identify what you think may be a mold issue, you should contact a mold professional for advice, Carson said. If you do not identify a mold issue and have questions regarding the adequacy of your cross ventilation or the level or R factor of the insulation in the attic, its best to call a professional to ensure that all is good.

It is better to contact a professional general contractor for this type of cleanup as a homeowner does not have the tools, personal protection or experience to perform this type of work.

Check your attic. Prevention is the key, Carson stressed. When it comes to mold, time is not on your side. Mold in attics can and will get worse over time if the cause is not corrected.

And the work can be quite extensive. For one, it is imperative to identify and address the cause or causes. At Elliot Environmental, a typical attic mold remediation project takes its crews one full day to complete. It involves isolating the attic space under negative pressure via HEPA air filtration machines, removing all surface contamination, applying an EPA registered anti-microbial and in most cases a fungicidal protective coating.

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Cold leads to mold? Experts say, yes