When it comes to parts of the home that tend to be “out of sight, out of mind,” our attics take the cake. Many homeowners in Frankfort and the Chicago Southland have never even stepped foot in their attics and are unaware of what things actually look like up there, let alone whether or not issues such as mold may be present. The fact is, mold that’s either in your attic, on the sheathing or visible on other structures can be a serious problem.
At Assured Insulation Solutions, we want all of our customers to rest easy with the knowledge that mold isn’t affecting their indoor air quality. Even if you rarely enter your attic, you owe it to the health and safety of you and your family to have any existing mold professionally removed.
Problems Associated with Mold
The most pressing reason to get rid of mold within your attic is health-related. While even healthy individuals can be affected in a negative manner by the presence of mold, those who suffer from allergies, asthma or autoimmune diseases are especially at risk of developing serious breathing problems from mold exposure. Common symptoms that point to something being wrong include coughing, wheezing, congestion and irritation of the nose and throat. In severe cases, fungal respiratory infections may present themselves—all of these issues can be avoided with professional mold remediation.
Another thing to take into consideration is the fact that mold can actually hold up the sale of your home if you ever decide to put it on the market. If mold is present, it will almost certainly be flagged by a home inspector, and most buyers will refuse to move forward until the problem is addressed. The sooner you can get started, the less difficult the remediation process will be.
How Mold Grows
While there are a number of ways in which mold can grow within your attic, insufficient ventilation is the most common source of the problem. Mold requires two factors in order to thrive—moisture and the presence of organic materials like dust, paper, cardboard, and wood. Even your ceiling is a risk factor, as it’s made out of drywall and provides an ideal platform for mold to grow. Once the problem takes off, it becomes more and more difficult to contain with time.
Attic Mold Prevention Through Moisture and Temperature Control
So, how can you prevent mold growth from ever occurring in the first place? The most important step to take is to keep your attic dry, which means adding adequate ventilation and ensuring it is well insulated. Many homes throughout Illinois lack proper intake and exhaust vents in their attics. Sometimes all it takes is installing new vents and perhaps a fan to stop the problem from ever occurring again. If mold has already built up, give Assured a call. We will professionally remove it for you quickly, and suggest the necessary steps to prevent future mold growth.