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Plattsburgh New York Attic Mold Removal
518-930-4368
Important Things to Know When Mold is Found in the Attic of Your Plattsburgh NY Home
If you are reading this then chances are mold was discovered in your attic. Whether it was discovered when you were buying/selling your Plattsburgh, New York home or you just happened upon it the number one thing to remember is: DON’T PANIC!!
Mold is everywhere around us and the majority of the time attic mold is nothing to worry about. Then, what's the big deal? Mold is slowly eating your Clinton County home resulting in a shortened shingle life, weakened decking material, and even rafter/truss failure in extreme cases.
Why does mold grow in Plattsburgh NY attics?
Mold grows in attics due to a moisture source. Since mold and mold food is everywhere mold spores are just waiting for moisture. When moisture is added to a spore its similar to a seed that is watered. It grows roots and a body which is collectively called mycelium and eventually fruiting bodies called sporangium which have spore sacs. These sacs burst when disturbed ensuring the continuation of the colony. In Plattsburgh, New York attic mold moisture sources are normally one of these four:
Active Roof Leak – This is a direct leak from the outside and usually the most obvious.
Poor Ventilation – Poor ventilation is the most common in Clinton County. Many Plattsburgh New York homes have the right amount of vents but they are blocked with insulation. Don’t be fooled by baffles (cardboard or Styrofoam pieces at the eave of the home inside the attic), most insulation companies put them in after and they are plugged as well. If your home has no venting or insufficient venting then baffles are needed only after eave vents and/or ridge vents are added.
Bathroom Exhaust Fan – Plattsburgh NY codes change over the years. Your exhaust fan may vent to your exterior if your home is newer, or if it has been fixed over the years. Prior to code changes in the early 2000’s home builders were allowed to exhaust fans in the attic. This elevates moisture so much that even a working ventilation system cannot stop mold growth.
General Clinton County Humidity – A home's humidity comes from many sources, showering, cooking, a damp basement, etc. Your Plattsburgh home breathes from the bottom up; this brings all that humidity right to the attic. Mold can grow as soon as the Humidity hits roughly 70%.
Call Today for a FREE Estimate to Remove Mold From Your Plattsburgh NY Attic:
518-930-4368
Mold Remediation
Now that you know about why it grows, what can you do about it? In Plattsburgh, NY mold remediation usually consists of removing porous and some semi-porous materials and cleaning and sanitizing salvageable materials. At the end all semi-porous surfaces are encapsulated to seal pores. That is how mold is handled on drywall and surfaces inside the home. The attic is outside that envelope and can be handled differently saving you thousands.
Today we know an awful lot about mold and how to kill it and clean it up. 10 years ago the average attic remediation job in Plattsburgh New York was 10k and we actually used bleach (we know not to use bleach now for many reasons.) Now we use sophisticated solutions to kill the colony on a molecular level and make the mold disappear leaving your attic looking almost brand new.
Mold in Plattsburgh NY attics is a health problem for a family. Allergies and other respiratory problems might develop from mold in attics. This problem of black mold has to be cleared completely or it will return. Therefore, people who understand how mold in attics develops can best remedy it. They also know the best way to get rid of mold. Cracks and leaks offer mold the opening to grow and flourish in your attic. In some instances, people do not realize that lack of ventilation in the attics is causing a problem. Checking the Plattsburgh New York attic for toxins is not something that people do very often. |
Most causes of toxic mold are visible: lack of ventilation, leaks, bath or dryer fans improperly exhausted improperly, and lack of ice shield membranes. Mold in attics carries spores that move through the air. The smell from mold is easily recognizable. However, by the time it becomes odorous much of the damage is done and getting rid of it becomes a challenge. The problem is caused by dampness but once mold in attics takes hold, it can spread to other areas of the Plattsburgh New York home. Toxic mold has the capacity to create itchy, runny eyes and cause people to develop sneezing and uncomfortable rashes. |
Mold in attics travels through duct systems, infecting the rest of your Clinton County home. Mold in attics does not often grow in extreme heat in dry areas but can grow in climates as low as 20 degrees. Dampness feeds mold in temperature as high as 90 degrees. The attic is very hot in the Plattsburgh NY summer and can prevent a home from cooling properly if unventilated. This same situation can breed mold in attics during cold weather. Leaks and moisture seep in, while high temperatures are not there to keep mold in attics away. Throughout these cold damp Plattsburgh New York months with rain and snow prevailing, black mold can take over the attics. |
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