Articles

Buying a HUD Property Number 4

by Tom Nelson HUD Licensed Listing Broker (LLB)

Mold in the Attic Causes & Remedies

More and more we hear about problems with mold.  There are many beliefs about mold.  These include how its formed, how dangerous it is, and most important; how to remediate it.

First, we need to know what exactly mold is. Mold is different than Mildew (we will discuss mildew in another future article).  Mold is a form of fungus that reproduces asexually emitting very tiny spores that float in the air.  Some fungus types are harmful others are helpful such as the fungus used in making beer (Saccharomyces ssp.) or in making bread.

Mold May have these features:

Fuzzy, raised appearance 

Darker shades of black, green or red

Often confused for dirt

Produces allergens that can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks

Can produce potent toxins and/or irritants

Mold spores are in the air everywhere and we breath them in in normal breathing.  The problem occurs when there is a high concentration of spores, which may trigger allergies or in rare cases an anaphylactic reaction.

Second, we need to look at how mold forms in our attic.  Although mold spores are in the air outside and inside our house it doesn’t form unless it has the correct growing conditions.

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Mold needs moisture, a certain temperature range and food.  The microscopic spores are inactive unless they land in an environment that has these three things. Normally a home is dry and not wet with moisture, therefore, mold cannot grow.  Attics in the past were very leaky and had enough air circulation to keep them dry.  As technology increased in sealing homes to prevent energy loss, coupled with venting bathrooms; initially into the attic area, mold began to become a problem.

Most of the mold problems we see are where the home was built less than 60 years ago and had the bathrooms vented directly into the attic where the moisture could not evaporate and dry out.  Homes built in the last decade or more have bathrooms vented directly to the outside.  This is often done by using vent tubes through the attic that exit at the outside wall.

Third, we will look at the remedies to remove mold.  Mold may just be on surface rafters or truss boards or it can be embedded in drywall and insulation.  If the mold is on a hard non-permeable surface it can be wiped away with Peroxide, Chlorine, or some other strong oxidizing agent.  If it is embedded in a semi porous surface such as soft wood, drywall, insulation or a similar substrate it may require the substrate to be removed and the surrounding area treated with an oxidizer.

To prevent a recurrence the underlying cause will need to be addressed. Usually this requires the removal of the source of the moisture and/or better air circulation.

Mold removal is usually best handled by a professional mold removal specialist.  They can determine what type of mold is present and the best course of action.

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The cost for mold remediation varies greatly.  It may be a good idea to get a few estimates.  This is because there are a number of treatments to remediate mold removal and with options you can pick the best one for you.

Look for Buying a HUD Property #5 in May.  Thank you and take a fresh breath!

Copyright Tom Nelson DASAT Properties, LLC