Keep the attic clean can be troublesome especially when you look at some disturbing mold in the attic.
The growth of mold in the attic comes as an excess moisture consequence. Therefore, whatever the cause of the appearance of attic mold, you need to take over the situation immediately and properly.
Before the mold keeps growing and spreading to some areas, it is suggested that you clean and eliminate the mold. What mold in the attic is and how to eliminate it? Let’s figure out.
What is Mold in Attic?
Patches in parts of your attic can drive you nut. Those patches mean that the mold is growing and spreading. The growth of attic mold usually comes in a wide variety of growth patterns and colors.
Some mold in attic causes is brought about by leaky roofs, air conditioning appliances, improper venting from vents or pipes and ventilation, as well as the hot and humid climates.
Either white mold or black mold in the attic needs the treatment. To eliminate white and black mold in your attic, there are some ways that can be applied.
1. Prepare the Safety Tools and Materials
Before you decide to remove the black or white mold in attic, you need to prepare some safety tools and materials. They are:
- Sponge
- Coveralls
- Breathing mask
- Safety goggles
- Rubber gloves
- Trash bags
- Plastic sheeting
- Fans
- Scrubbing brush
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Dehumidifier
- White vinegar, commercial mold cleaner or tea tree oil (choose one of them)
- Spray bottle
2. Cover in Safety Tools
The next step is to protect your self by using safety tools. Some safety tools such as safety goggles, a mask, rubber gloves, and protective coveralls with a hood should be properly donned. Those protective tools will protect you from any spreading toxic mold.
Also, the attic mostly comes in a small limited space. Mold you are going to kill are toxigenic. You need to know the limit possibility of your exposure so that mold in attic health problems can be avoided.
3. Create Mold Fighting Solution
It would be easier to create your own safe mold fighting solution. You can use the oil from tea tree or white vinegar as the mold solution cleaner. These ingredients are safe and contain a non-toxic substance.
In contrast, if you prefer to be more practical, you can buy a commercial mold cleaner. Tea tree oil, white vinegar, and a commercial mold cleaner are easy to find.
Mix one teaspoon of the oil from tea tree or white vinegar with water. Mix the solution of oil or vinegar in a bottle. As white vinegar works less efficient for cleaning naughty mold, you can add white vinegar with one part of hydrogen peroxide and two cups of water. Hydrogen peroxide also contains a non-toxic substance.
4. Seal Vents and Windows
The next step to eliminate mold in the atticis to seal vents and windows. Use plastic sheets to seal vents and windows. After they are covered up, you can begin drying the mold. For best result of drying, use a heater, a fan, or a dehumidifier.
If you find the active mold, you need to neutralize the mold by drying it. The active mold needs to be neutralized because it contains fungus. You should kill the spores before they spread the fungus.
5. Clean and Empty the Attic Thoroughly
After completing yourself with protective gears and the materials to do mold cleanup, you need to clean up and empty the attic thoroughly. Most attic mold can be purged by using tea tree oil, a commercial mold cleaner, and a sponge.
Clean up and empty your attic. Put the objects into thick trash bags and seal the bags tightly. Take the bags outdoors to dry. Check thoroughly the rafters as well as the insulation.
If the mold in attic insulation is affected, remove the insulation in thick trash bags. Apply the solution of tea tree oil or a commercial mold cleaner to clean up the mold.
Let the solution stay on the mold for about an hour. Scrub the infected areas with a firm wire brush. Use a sponge to wipe the problem areas clean and dry them one last time.
If you use a commercial mold cleaner, make sure the infected area is properly ventilated. Also, take periodic breaks so that your exposure to the fumes of the cleaner is limited. After completing the mold attic cleanup activity, replace the mold in attic insulation with the new one.
6. Adjust Attic’s Temperature
After getting rid of the white or black mold in the attic, adjust the temperature of your attic. The purpose is to reduce the number of damp areas as it is one of the causes of mold’s root.
Use the fans within the attic to cool down the attic area frequently. You can also make the use of a portable air conditioner. If your attic is completed with windows, you can use window air conditioning units to cool down the temperature.
7. Patch Roof Leakage
The last step you can try to kill the attic mold is by patching the roof leakage. No matter how often you do the mold cleanup, if the source of mold is not treated, the mold will come back.
One of the sources of mold growth in the attic is the roof leakage. Should you fix any leaks in your roof, you have to make them patched properly. If you already patch the leakage, the amounts of mold-forming moisture in your attic will decrease.
Ask for the licensed professional to patch the roof leakage. They know how to patch your roof leakage properly. While waiting for the professionals, you can use a large bucket or pan to put beneath the leaky areas.
In conclusion, the growth mold in attic can cause a health issue and a bad environment for your house. Find out the causes, type, pattern, and color of the attic mold. If you know the details, you know how to eliminate the attic mold properly.
