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• Where to look for mold in a building attic - how to find visible attic mold, hard to see mold, or hidden attic mold

This document gives advice on how and where to inspect or test for mold in building attics and roof cavities. This is a chapter of "How to Look for Mold" which describes how to find mold and test for mold in buildings, including how and where to collect mold samples using adhesive tape - an easy, inexpensive, low-tech but very effective mold testing method. This procedure helps identify the presence of or locate the probable sources of mold reservoirs in buildings, and helps decide which of these need more invasive, exhaustive inspection and testing. © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

WHERE TO LOOK FOR ATTIC MOLD - Places to look for attic mold

This brown mold on plywood roof sheathing visible in an attic is an indicator of wet or damp attic conditions. It is common to identify Cladosporium sphaerospermum or perhaps Aureobasidium pullulans in these conditions, though without a lab test we don't know what this mold is. (Click photo for larger image).

The black staining on the plywood roof sheathing visible in this modern attic is a clear indicator of very humid or even wet attic conditions. When you view the larger copy of this image (click photo for larger image) you may notice that insulation was pushed out into the building eaves where it blocked any intake venting. This black staining is probably mold. Though we can't assert that this mold is harmful, we can conclude that the attic has been too wet and that roof venting is not working on this building.

Inspect attic insulation, insulation kraft paper facing, and the attic side of ceiling drywall visible in the attic floor, particularly in areas below roof leaks. It is useful to distinguish between a real roof leak or ice dam leak and more trivial drip stains from attic condensaton. Attic condensation and the resulting drip marks on the attic floor or on attic insulation, as shown here, is not itself likely to wet the attic insulation nor the surfaces below it enough to cause a big mold reservoir. However, attic condensation is evidence of wet or very humid attic conditions. Therefore I'd take a close look at the roof sheathing and framing

If attic insulation has been wet and especially if the insulation has been exposed to other moldy conditions, even if the insulation itself looks ok it may be mold contaminated. Some types of building insulation readily harbor mold contamination even if it's not visible (such as fiberglass insulation). Other types of insulation such as cellulose, seem to resist mold growth (possibly because that material is usually treated with a fire retardant chemical which may also be fungicidal.)

The drip spots you see on attic flooring and insulation in this photo are from attic condensation which formed on protruding roof shingle nails in the attic where it formed frost in cold weather, then melted and dripped onto the attic floor. This indicates poor attic venting and possibly humid conditions. But there probably was not enough leakage to cause a mold infection of the insulation or drywall below. Spot checks for visible mold in the most-likely or most-dripped-on area may be all that's needed.

Look for mold around roof leak areas & water stains in the attic: at the eaves where shingles are more worn or where ice dam leaks may occur in freezing weather, at roof penetrations for chimneys and plumbing vents Condensation drip marks:: Some "leak stains" you may see on the attic floor or on insulation are not really due to leaks from above. You may be looking at more trivial drip stains from attic condensaton. Attic condensation and the resulting drip marks on the attic floor or on attic insulation, as shown here, is not itself likely to wet the attic insulation nor the surfaces below it enough to cause a big mold reservoir. However, attic condensation is evidence of wet or very humid attic conditions. Therefore take a close look at the roof sheathing and framing in an attic that has been moist or humid even if there have been no roof leaks.

The mold shown in the attic photographed here was identified as Aspergillus sp. on attic mold visible on pine tongue and groove roof sheathing near the building eaves. Also notice the condensation stains at the shingle nail, more evidence of a history of attic moisture which was a factor in this mold growth. (Click photo for larger image).

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ATTIC MOLD
  IS ATTIC MOLD A PROBLEM ?
  RISK OF TOXIC ATTIC MOLD
  WHERE TO LOOK FOR ATTIC MOLD
  WHAT ATTIC MOLD LOOKS LIKE
  BEFORE REMOVING ATTIC MOLD
  ATTIC MOLD ROOF TEAROFF
  ATTIC MOLD ENCAPSULANTS
The Mold Information Center - What to Do About Mold in Buildings

Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

More Information on Finding, Recognizing, and Proper Testing for Mold, More on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

Mold and Allergen Recognition and Identification - Not All "Black Mold" is Harmful; Some Suspect Stuff is Not Mold

• How to Find and Test For Mold in Buildings - Looking for Mold - A 'how to' photo and text primer on finding and testing for mold in buildings
• Recognizing Mold: What mold looks like mold identification photos to help identify mold - choosing what to sample in buildings
• Recognizing Allergens: What various indoor allergens look like - identification photos to help identify pollen, dust mites, animal dander, toxic or allergenic mold - Common Mold and other Allergens, Irritants, Remedies & Advice
• Stuff that is not mold but is often mistaken for it - things you may not want to test. Also, not all "black mold" is toxic - here are examples of harmless black mold.
• Mold Action Guide: an easy step by step outline of what to do about mold
• How to find mold without hiring anyone, for do-it-yourself'ers
• Associations: Sick House, Sick Building, SBS - Air Quality, Government, Private Associations and Information Resources
• Mold Test Kits - How to Collect and Send Your Own Mold Sample to our mold testing lab
• How to find a mold inspector or test consultant: Directory of IAQ,Sick Building, Mold Allergen Testing, Building Investigation Service Providers
• Meruliporia: the house eating fungus or "poria"
• Mold Investigation Tips for Home Inspectors how to find mold, where to look, what is likely to be important. Advice to building inspectors intending to inspect or test for toxic or problematic mold indoors, mold inspection methods, and mold test methods which are valid or invalid
• Mold Risk Levels in Buildings Based on Visual Inspection - simple visual clues help decide on action
• Mold in Fiberglass Insulation© 2005 comments about a field study in process, & more about health hazards from fiberglass insulation - DJF
• Frequently Asked Questions About Mold -- check this FAQ list & IAQ Site Map to see if you can find a quick answer to your mold concern
• When to hire a professional to inspect for toxic mold or other allergens
• Contact Us to arrange mold/IAQ building on site inspection and testing.

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The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems

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Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab

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