Mold in attic is fairly common because attics are often damp.
Pics of leaks inside attic.
When looking for attic mold trace both leak.
If your roof leaks or any attic windows leak you ve got moisture in your attic and probably need to consider attic mold removal.
Even if your roof and windows don t leak though humidity in the attic can lead to the growth of mold.
Make the final repair as soon as weather permits.
Water runs downhill so carefully observe all areas below suspected leak s.
The photo at page top shows white attic mold on the roof sheathing and rafters and some brown or black mold on the attic side of ceiling drywall where we pulled back insulation.
In the attic photograph at left we show a mix of green gray and white attic mold.
Before you crawl into the attic make a quick sketch of the floor plan.
You may see stained or discolored wood areas that will lead you to the source of the leak.
Walk carefully on the ceiling joists in the attic or use a sheet of plywood to walk on so you will not accidentally put a hole in the ceiling panel.
Plumbing stacks can also emit hazardous gases so make sure that they too do not terminate inside the attic.
Air seal your attic for energy savings.
Scan for moisture inside walls with a moisture meter.
Roof leaks will often lead to a small localized area of attic mold near where the leak is occurring.
A moisture meter is a piece of equipment which when placed directly against a wall will analyze the moisture content of that wall.
Before you leave your attic use a measuring tape to roughly map out where the leak is so you can find it once the rain stops.
Make note of dropped soffits over kitchen cabinets or bath vanities slanted ceilings over stairways or any other dropped ceiling areas.
Most people just add insulation to their attic this will not stop the escaping warm air.
Use a putty knife to spread the tar into the leaking hole on the inside of your roof.
Place the shingle or plywood onto the tar and spread more of the tar around the edges of your patch.
Water leaks occur through roof failure ice dams and water condensation or frost build up inside an attic.
Rainy weather causes the first type of leak to be discovered.
These areas usually have open stud cavities leading directly into the attic that are huge sources of air leaks photos 1 3.
Examine the entire attic roof underside surface for evidence of water intrusion.
Also plumbing stacks in the attic can be a source of condensation which can lead to attic mold growth.
If you know that you have a leak within a certain wall but are unaware of the precise location place the moisture meter at 5 or 6 different spots on the wall.
