It’s a known fact that mold is part of our lives, and its spores tend to float everywhere. Fortunately, mold spores can’t grow until they attach themselves to a moist surface. Attics provide the necessary environment for them to thrive. The high moisture level in an attic serves as an excellent surface for mold to thrive.
Attic mold is a result of the moisture from condensation occurring in the space between the cold air from outside and the warm house. Unfortunately, an attic has everything mold needs to thrive, leaving you with dark stained plywood and a stuffy environment.
Attic mold can easily go undetected because we rarely spend time there. Mold may seem like a small issue, but it can cause:
- asthma
- anxiety
- memory loss
It’s time to inspect the corners and sides of the attic for mold. Fortunately, getting rid of mold is easy, and anyone can do it.
Does the homeowner’s insurance cover black mold? Learn what you need to know in my article here.
Does Mold In The Attic Need To Be Removed?
Mold is quite common in buildings, so finding them in the attic isn’t a surprise. After all, they do thrive in places with moisture, like:
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- upholstery
- carpet
- attic insulation
The most common molds found indoors are:
- Aspergillus
- Penicillium
- Cladosporium
If an attic was built using wood that has not dried well, mold will likely grow. If not removed in a timely manner, attic mold can make life miserable for everyone in your home.
Since we rarely go to the attic, it’s unlikely to notice them growing. If left unchecked for a very long time, mold can spread to other parts of the house and make it unlivable for allergy sufferers.
NOTE: Unchecked mold can even damage the wood used for the roof, and replacing it can be costly. If your roof is made using treated lumber, you should not worry about them getting damaged.
Exposure to a moldy environment can cause many health issues for folks sensitive to mold. It can lead to several symptoms, including:
- itchy skin or eyes
- wheezing
- stuffy nose
It’s important to inspect the attic regularly and remove the molds as soon as you find them.
Key Steps
Attic mold removal is a straightforward DIY process that anyone can do. Here are the steps:
- Seal the surrounding parts of the attic with plastic sheeting.
- Vacuum the attic.
- Clean and dry the attic.
- Dry ice blast to dislodge the mold attached to the roof.
- Apply a mold-inhibiting coating.
To remove the attic mold naturally, do the following:
- Wear protective gear.
- Empty the attic and store everything in a safe place.
- Seal all the openings of the attic.
- Prepare a natural remedy by mixing vinegar or tea tree oil with water.
- Spray the mixture on the affected region and let it rest for a few minutes.
- Scrub off the mold.
These steps are quite simple to follow and keep their family safe. Instead of contracting a professional, try and remove the mold yourself first.
What Will You Need To Get Rid Of Attic Mold?
Removing attic mold is a process. Each stage requires certain tools and equipment to make the attic mold-free. These are some of the essential tools necessary for the job all sold on Amazon:
- Plastic sheeting for protecting the surrounding floor.
- Tape for securing the plastic sheeting.
- Dry/wet vacuum cleaner with HEPA filter.
- Broom
- Dry ice blaster to get rid of the mold growing under your roof.
- Negative air machine for cleaning the air.
- Dry ice pellets.
Generally, the entire mold removal process can be quite dusty; so it’s important to protect yourself with the following gear all sold on Amazon:
If you can’t access the above tools, try some of the most common remedies for mold. The ingredients for removing mold naturally include the following:
- Water
- Tea tree oil
- White vinegar
Step-By-Step Instructions To Get Rid of Attic Mold
When warm air full of moisture from the house rises, it gets into the attic’s cold environment. The change in temperature results in condensation. The warm air on the underside of the roof sheathing creates a perfect environment for mold to grow.
It’s important to regularly examine the attic insulation and the underside of the roof sheathing for mold. To get rid of attic mold, do the following:
Step #1: Seal The Surrounding Area With a Plastic Sheeting
The main goal of the entire project is removing the attic mold, so you don’t want it spreading to other parts of the house and attic.
Lay the sheeting around the attic and place it near the entrance, ensuring you cover everything in the house.
The sheeting will ensure that the rest of the home remains mold free while keeping everything clean. The removal process can be very dusty.
Step #2: Wet Vacuum The Attic
Before getting rid of the mold, ensure that the attic is dry. Use a wet vacuum to eliminate the accumulated water and help remove mold spores.
A dry vacuum can have the opposite effect and should be avoided so mold spores aren’t blown into the atmosphere and end up in other parts of the house.
Step #3: Clean And Dry the Attic
After wet vacuuming the attic, scrub and sweep it clean. Dry out the area using a heater or fan, and ensure the attic is completely dry before using the dry ice-blasting machine.
HOT TIP: A dehumidifier can also come in handy when drying the attic.
Step #4: Dry Ice Blasting
Before working with dry ice, protect your entire body by wearing protective gear. The dry ice can be as cold as -109 degrees Fahrenheit.
Learn more about how to handle dry ice safely in this video:
Dry ice blasting is one of the most effective methods for removing mold because it can reach all the tight gaps and spaces in the roof framing, and some of the hardest-to-reach places in the attic.
The dry ice comes out of the nozzle at over 1,000 miles per hour, producing so much energy that it plays a vital role in the process. The thermal shock from the ice helps loosen the mold and lift it off the attic surfaces.
Chemical treatments can remove mold, but they can be hazardous, especially in the wrong hands. When dry ice blasting, turn on the negative air machine and direct it to the attic outlet.
The entire process can produce dust, so a negative air machine is mandatory. It works by passing the dusty air through the HEPA filter to trap the mold spores before releasing the air back into the atmosphere.
Step #5: Apply A Mold-Inhxcibiting Coating
The cold ice-blasting machine will leave the attic as good as new, but mold could grow again with time without proper maintenance and preventive measures.
Some major preventive measures include repairing the ventilation system that introduced the moisture in the first place and replacing the affected pieces of lumber after removing the attic mold.
Next, apply a mold-inhibiting coating over the wood to ensure it never returns.
Remove Mold From The Attic Naturally
If the above option is too costly or you don’t know where to rent an ice-blasting machine locally. First, try one of the several natural remedies for mold. Most of these natural solutions work perfectly and use common kitchen ingredients.
These natural methods are:
- effective
- affordable
- not hazardous
For a safe solution that can’t endanger the lives of loved ones, try this natural remedy. Natural mold removal methods can even serve as preventive measures.
To get rid of attic mold naturally, follow these steps:
Step #1: Wear Safety Gear
Start with cleaning and drying the attic using a wet vacuum cleaner. Make sure to wear safety gear, as mold spores can be dangerous when inhaled, so a breathing mask and goggles are a must.
The right gear can shield the entire body from mold toxicity and make it possible not to transfer it to the other parts of the house.
Step #2: Empty The Attic
Before working on the attic, make sure it’s empty. Place everything in a thick bag and seal it before moving it outside.
After removing everything, inspect the rafters and insulation for mold, remove all the affected insulations, and replace them with new ones after the mold treatment is finished.
Step #3: Seal The Attic Openings
Next, seal all the openings using plastic sheeting, including windows and vents. Once the openings are sealed, dry them to help neutralize the mold spores and reduce spreading. Drying everything in the attic can help prevent the future growth of mold.
Step #4: Prepare a Natural Mixture
Several natural remedies can help to get rid of mold, the good thing about them is that the ingredients are common and can be prepared at home. One of the most popular natural remedies is a vinegar-tea tree solution.
Mix a teaspoon of tea tree oil or white vinegar with a cup of water. Add the mixture to a spray bottle and spray the affected area. Here’s a quick video showing you how to do this:
For Heavy Mold Removal
Try a hydrogen peroxide solution if there is a heavy mold infestation. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic with microbicidal properties. Therefore, it can slow or kill fungi like mildew and mold.
To do a heavy mold removal task, use a pair of long rubber gloves that can stretch beyond your forearms.
Simply prepare a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and pour it into a spray bottle and apply the solution to the affected area. Let the hydrogen peroxide sit for about 10 minutes or until it stops bubbling.
Step #5: Scrub The Surface
After applying a natural remedy to the affected region and letting it settle for a few minutes, take a firm brush and scrub until the molds peel off. Next, dry out the entire attic to ensure mold doesn’t grow back.
Finally, remove the plastic sheeting and make sure the attic is clean. Look for the source of the mold, like a leak, and fix them.
Our Final Thoughts
With the above tutorial, your family will always be safe with a mold-free attic. The good thing about the natural process is that it’s affordable. I always use the natural process when I detect mold early, but an ice-blasting machine will do the trick if it’s further along.
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