Mold Loves the Snow Too!

As kids, we see nothing but the joy in snow. We revel in a day of sledding, snowball fights, and days off from school. As adults, many of us have mixed opinions of snow. It may be beautiful, but it sure is a pain to shovel. We have had some significant snowstorms recently and unfortunately, mold, like children, loves snow. Why do you ask? Snow has a sneaky way of getting moisture into your attic and that creates a perfect environment for mold.

With this in mind, we may want to add one more item to our to-do list after it snows, check the attic. Attics provide mold with many of the elements necessary to grow. Moisture can get into your attic from leaks in your roof. As snow melts, the water it produces can find its way through cracks into your attic. With fiberglass insulation, wood framing, and sometimes plywood, there are many hosts for mold. Even with a solid roof, snow can be a problem. Snow lays a blanket of cold on your roof. When warm air in your attic comes in contact with that cold blanket condensation can occur. This condensation is great for mold growth as well.

Due to ventilation issues and possible roof leaks, there is often moisture in attics. As we all know, mold thrives on moisture. Mold also does well when it is undisturbed. With many people seldom venturing into the attic except to store holiday decorations, a small mold problem can grow into a large one before it is detected. 

To catch mold growth early a quick inspection is important. When checking your attic there will be many signs to look for, but here are a few key signs that you should pay special attention to: 

• Dark coloration on framing or plywood – We may all think of mold as fuzzy and black, but at times it can simply make your wood look discolored.
• Off-putting smell – Many people describe the smell of mold as stale, musty, or earthy. Any of these smells should be considered a warning sign in an attic.
• Hot or stuffy feeling air – If your attic is hot and the air feels stuffy it means your attic could have a good environment for mold.

If you have been in your attic and you detect any signs of mold it is a good idea to call Mold Solutions by Cowleys. Not only will we remove the mold and prevent it from returning but we will find the conducive condition that caused the mold growth in the first place! To break it down, snow to kids is fun, snow to adults is work, and snow to mold is an opportunity!