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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
ATTIC MOLD
BASEMENT MOLD CRAWLSPACE MOLD DRYWALL MOLD
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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?
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.
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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. |
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"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
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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
InspectAPedia TM Home & Site Map
Air Conditioning
InspectAPedia Bookstore
Electrical
Environment
Exteriors
Heating
Home Inspection
Insulate Ventilate
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Mold Inspect/Test
Plumbing
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Accuracy & Bias Pledge
Contact Us
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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
- 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
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