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  IS ATTIC MOLD A PROBLEM ?
  RISK OF TOXIC ATTIC MOLD
  WHERE TO LOOK FOR ATTIC MOLD
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  BEFORE REMOVING ATTIC MOLD
  ATTIC MOLD ROOF TEAROFF
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ATTIC MOLD
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MOLD ON DIRT FLOORS
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Photograph: typical mold on attic side of ceiling drywall after a roof leaks -  © Daniel Friedman What does mold in attics look like ?
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  • What does mold in attics look like?
  • Examples of white attic mold, green attic mold, brown attic mold, and black attic mold.
  • Where to look for mold in a building attic.
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This document gives advice on how to find, test for, and remove attic mold. Here we show what mold looks like in building attics with mold photographs. 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.

WHAT ATTIC MOLD LOOKS LIKE - What does attic mold look like?

Photograph: toxic mold on pine tongue and groove roof sheathing -  © Daniel Friedman


White attic mold: 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.

Green attic mold: In the attic photograph at left we show a mix of green, gray, and white attic mold. When looking for attic mold, trace both leak areas and areas of poor ventilation in the attic.

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 in an attic that has been moist or humid even though there were no roof leaks. (Click photo for larger image).

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).

Uncertain attic mold: The photo at the very top of this page shows where you may find mold growing on the attic side of ceiling drywall, particularly below roof leaks or in areas of ice dam leaks at a building eaves.

Photograph of extensive brown mold contamination of roof plywood in an attic
Daniel Friedman 04-11-01

Brown mold on plywood roof sheathing in an exposed to leaks or moisture problems is one of the most common molds spotted by home inspectors.

Often in attics we also find Cladosporium sphaerospermum or Aureobasidium pullulans which looks about the same, or a little darker on plywood or framing.)

When the attic has been damp or wet, there might be a more serious problem with Aspergillus sp. or Penicillium sp. in mold contaminated-insulation.

Photograph of extensive brown mold contamination of roof plywood in an attic
Daniel Friedman 04-11-01

"Black mold" in attics: in this photo of very dark mold in an attic, in a wet attic mold which we found to be "brown" in the microscope, looked "black" on the plywood.

The black attic mold shown here confirms that this attic had a serious venting and moisture problem, including moisture from sources lower in the building.

The insulation was contaminated, and we inspected the attic side of the ceiling drywall below for signs of leak stains or mold.

Use links just below or 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.

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 expert information on this topic

ALLERGEN TESTS for BUILDINGS
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
FLOODS & MOLD CLEAN/PREVENT
MOLD ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO
MOLD DETECTION & INSPECTION
HOW TO LOOK FOR MOLD
WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE
ATTIC MOLD
ATTIC MOLD
BASEMENT MOLD
CRAWLSPACE MOLD
DRYWALL MOLD
MOLDY CARPETS
ITCHY FABRICS
HIDDEN MOLD, HOW TO FIND
INSULATION MOLD
More Information
  What Mold Looks Like
  Stuff That is Not Mold
  Allergens, Finding
  Mold Test Kits

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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

goto InspectAPedia.com - authoritative, in-depth Building Diagnostic and Repair Information for building buyers, owners, inspectorsInspectAPedia TM Home & Site Map - Building Inspection, Diagnosis, & Repair, Environmental Inspection & Testing - Research Website

GO TO the MOLD and INDOOR ENVIRONMENT INFORMATION CENTER for in-depth advice on avoiding testing for or cleaning up mold and other indoor environmental hazards, odors, gases, contaminantsThe 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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GO TO MOLD TEST KITS: This expert-recommended mold test kit is cheap and yet top performing *IF* you use a competent analysis laboratory!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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CONTACT Daniel Friedman - Dan is a senior ASHI home inspector, nationally recognized expert on building inspection, building failures, and sick building investigationContact Daniel Friedman for website content suggestions or for fee-paid consulting

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03/22/2008 - 04/01/02 - www.inspect-ny.com/sickhouse/AtticMold6.htm © Copyright 2008-2002 Daniel Friedman - All Rights Reserved