What you need to know about attic black mold.

Attic black mold can be very dangerous for the health of everyone that comes in contact with it. You don’t even have to be in the same room as the black mold for it to become a problem because spores can become airborne and you can inhale these or they can get on your skin. It commonly occurs that attic black mold goes undetected for a long period and people living down below start developing flu like symptoms or having allergy symptoms with no real explanation. It is only when the mold is later discovered the frequent episodes of sickness can be explained. It should also be noted that there has been some association discovered between black mold and sudden infant death syndrome.

Attic black mold is usually of the referred to as Strachybotrys chartarum or toxic black mold. It can be difficult to determine if mold is toxic by just looking at and to fully determine if it is dangerous it needs to be sent to a laboratory. It is best to assume that any attic black mold you see is toxic; you can generally differentiate it from other molds because of its slimy green-black color. When dealing with any mold it is always a good idea to wear a respiratory mask and eye protection; this is to prevent the toxic spores ending up in your lungs or eyes.

Attic black mold needs moisture to prosper. This is why it is important to keep your attic ventilated and to do all you can to keep it dry. Make sure there is no moisture coming from anywhere. Check all the pipes for leaks and the roof for anywhere that water could be entering. It is also important that you consider any condensation that might be getting into the attic from below. If you have pipes coming from below then you would be wise to ensure that there are not gaps around the pipes where condensation could be getting through. If you have a fold-down ladder from your attic then make sure this is sealed tight. One other thing you will want to do is to make sure any skylight you have in the attic is waterproof.

Attic black mold can be a danger to your family, but in most instances it will be easy for you to deal with. If you have black mold covering a large space then you really should leave the job to the professionals.

About the Author:

Charles Boday is a Certified Mold Inspector and Contractor, graduate from Certified Mold Inspector & Contractors Institute. He has worked with some of the countries top scientists seeking alternative poison-free mold remediation techniques. He has testified as an expert foundation witness and is the Author of the books, The Ultra Dry Basement.