Have You Checked the Attic?

Here in New Jersey the end of spring was very dry but the weather pattern took a complete about-face at the beginning of the summer. Summer storms became the norm day in and day out. The wild weather might make you think that there is a possibility of mold in your attic. The strong winds could have created a leak in your roof and let water in. In reality, there could have easily been mold in your attic during the dry weather as well.

Generally speaking, due to the high humidity, poor ventilation, and under-insulation, attics are at a higher risk for mold growth. You may think that even if there is mold in your attic, it is not really all that concerning because your attic is basically used as a long term storage area that is rarely visited. Although that sounds logical, it is not really how it works when it comes to mold in most homes. Because of the way many houses were constructed there is significant airflow between the attic and the rest of the house. Although you are not physically in the attic, you may still be breathing attic air.

If you have any reason to believe there is mold in your attic (you see mold growing or the air in the attic has an odd smell) it is best to have an expert come out and take a look right away, like Cowleys! We can inspect for mold, remove any if it is found, create a space that is inhospitable to mold, and increase your energy efficiency.

Additionally, we will not only identify the mold that is currently in the attic, but also pinpoint the moisture and ventilation issues that lead to the mold growth in the first place. Removing the mold without knowing why it is there will likely allow for a reoccurring mold issue.

Once you know the mold is gone we can insulate your attic. Having sufficient attic insulation not only helps with any previous mold problems, it increases your home's comfort and energy usage significantly. Costly utility bills and fluctuating temperatures throughout your home are just two of the problems that can stem from having attic insulation that doesn't meet current industry standards.