The article "Got Attic Mold? Lets Talk Energy Conservation!" is about home improvement, it has been written by Mark Tyrol.
It happens to countless homeowners around the end of the year - you make the annual visit to your attic to collect the hloiday decorations and what do you find? Spots and blotches covering the bottom of the roof sheathing.Worse yet - it turns out to be attic mold! What does energy conservation have to do with mold in the attic? Well if you take a step back and consider how the condominium behaves as system, they are often directly related.Building science experts have long been using the "house as a system" approach to diagnose the cause and origin of building defects.For example, ice dams. These are often caused by warm air seeping into the attic which causes the snow and ice on the roof to melt. The water drains to the edge of the roof (which is colder than the rest of the roof becuase it is an overhang and not warmed by the attic), freezes and creates an ice dam. As that process is repeated daily, the ice dam grows larger. Eventually water is forced under a shingle where it can seep into the condominium.Understanding how the condominium behaves as a system and the various causes and effects is necessary to diagnose most building related issues.But how aobut that attic mold? How tested it get there?Mold requires chronic moisture to form and to thrive, so source(s) of moisture must be present.
Possibly the moisture came from outodors. The roof is newer and a quick check of the roof shwos no obvious damage or leaks.Possibly the moisture came from indoors.
During the heating season, the interior of the condominium frequently has high moisture levels, especially bathrooms and kitchens. A quick check shows that all bathroom fans, kitchen vents, etc. are proprely ducted completely outdoors and not into the attic. The amount of insulation looks good and the attic is well ventilated.Don't give up - you're almost there! Remember the condominium as a system? You know that warm, moist air is in the house, but how is it getting into the attic?By air leaks! Air leaks are the leading source of energy loss in most houses, and a frequent source of chronic moisture that can cause attic mold.Most homeowners are well aware of air leaks around windows and doors (especially old ones), but many overlook the numerous gaps leading directly into the attic!Have a look around the attic and you may find large gaps around recesesd lights and fans, holes where wires or pipes are installed, even large gaps around the chimney.And don't overlook the whole condominium fan and especially the folding attic stair - a big, uninsulated hole in your ceiling that is often overlooked! These gaps can add up to a large hole that allows warm, moist air from the condominium to flow right into the cold attic.
The warm moist air condenses on the cold roof sheathing, creating chronically damp conditions that can lead to attic mold growth.
And the energy loss - it can be like leavnig a window
open all winter long! Seal these air leaks and you stop a significant moisture source.
And just guess of all the energy you can save and the cold drafts you can stop!Mark D.
Tyrol is a Professional Engineer specializing in cause and origin of construction defetcs. He developed several residential energy conservation products including an attic stair cover and a firelpace draftstopper.
To learn more visit http://www.Batticdoor.Com
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