Mold And Mildew On Plywood In Attic Roof

In a cold climate poor ventilation of the attic space may lead to excess humidity as moist air from the warmer rooms below infiltrates into the cooler attic around plumbing pipes the attic hatch or even recessed lighting fixtures.

Mold and mildew on plywood in attic roof.

At the intersection of the plywood overlays the upper sheets contain black mold spreading about 2 3 up the slope. Heating ventilation and air conditioning ducts may also be affected. I have surface mold on the sheathing in my 1982 vintage 12 6 pitched attic. Wooden beams and plywood may be affected and it can be difficult to remove all traces of mold from wooden surfaces.

Often in attics we also find cladosporium sphaerospermum or aureobasidium pullulans which looks about the same or a little darker on plywood or framing. Attic spaces are one of the most common places in a home for mold to be found growing. This occurs when the temperature of the sheathing drops below the dew point creating a thin layer of moisture on the substrate. Mold on the underside of roof sheathing is also very common.

The epa and other government agencies no longer recommend bleach for doing this. From the outsidethere are a couple of dips in the plywood which appear as though thes areas were loaded with shingles during re roof. The most effective way to remove mold from hard porous materials such as wood rafters and plywood roof decking is to scrub it with detergent and water while wearing a dust mask and rubber gloves. It also dips along the edge where the moldy plywood exists.

Tea tree oil and white vinegar are both completely natural and safe for wood but have strong fungicidal properties. Mold that grows on the underside of roof sheathing due to ideal mold growth conditions being present. Bleach is corrosive and nasty to use and it kills only surface mold. I m aware of the cause poorly vented bathroom fans and not well sealed fan fixtures lights wires etc.

Insulation is often affected. Mix your vinegar or oil solution in a spray bottle and spray the mold in your. Mold growth on attic roof sheathing is a common issue in cool climates such as the pacific northwest. In the vast majority of cases the mold growth is caused by condensation.

Attic mold is due to poor ventilation roof leaks and hvac problems. In most attics there s an abundance of exposed wood and insulation on which mold can grow. 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. The fiberglass material in the insulation does not support mold growth but the paper backing does.

The presence of mold in your attic is often the result of poor ventilation insufficient insulation moisture from a roof leak or improper venting from your bathrooms or kitchen.