Michigan Mold Services(248) 690-6653
Dark, empty attic with wooden beams and angled roof.

Attic Mold Remediation

Attic Mold Testing, Removal & Remediation

Attic mold is extremely common in Michigan's climate — and almost always a ventilation problem before it is a cleaning problem.

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Attic Mold In Michigan

Why attics grow mold here

Attic Mold in Michigan is extremely common in our climate. Most people realize the importance of insulating an attic, but few realize that the ventilation of the attic is as important. If the attic has in-adequate ventilation, the warm air of the home will rise into the attic and be unable to exit this area.

The four causes

Attic mold is generally directly attributable to 4 basic causes:

  1. Lack of adequate ventilation or improper ventilation
  2. Existing or past roof or flashing leaks.
  3. Improperly exhausted bathroom fans and or dryer vents
  4. Attic Bypass or Attic Air Leaks

This is why, in cold weather, moisture condenses on cold surfaces (like attic roof sheathing/decking). This moisture provides a perfect situation where mold grows. Our mission is to aid present or prospective home owners by not only conducting attic mold inspections but also inform the home owners of potential causes and remediation methods.

TFNVA

Total Net Free Ventilating Area

The need for proper attic ventilation cannot be overstated enough. Bad attic ventilation can cause moisture buildup on the roof sheathing and lead to the formation of attic mold. Total Net Free Ventilating Area (TFNVA) refers to the fact that there should be proper ventilation for every 150 square feet of attic space.

The number is a recommendation by the Federal Housing Administration, which recommends between a 1/150 to a 1/300 ratio depending on the age of the home. If you have an older home then a 1/300 ratio is suitable, since the home is probably less energy efficient and thus less airtight. The building codes of new homes over the past 20 years are much stricter, making them more airtight and therefore requiring additional ventilation.

M.M.S. recommends a 1/150 ratio for attics with evidence of mold.

Attic Ventilation IllustratedA cross-section of a house comparing two attics. On the left, a normal attic: cool, fresh air enters the soffit vents, moves up through the attic and carries hot humid air out of the ridge vent, so no mold grows. On the right, a faulty attic: insulation has been pushed over and blocked the soffit vents, and a bathroom or kitchen exhaust fan vents directly into the attic, so hot moist air stays trapped against the roof sheathing and the attic is ready for mold growth.Normal AtticNo Mold GrowthFaulty AtticReady for Mold GrowthHot Humid Air Leavingthe Attic SpaceWithout Fresh Air Enteringthe Attic, Hot Humid AirStays in the AtticHot Moist Air Staysin the AtticInsulationCool, Fresh Air Enteringthe Soffit VentsBathroom or Kitchenexhaust fanBathroom or Kitchen exhaustfan vented into the atticInsulation has Blockedthe Soffit VentsAttic Ventilation Illustrated
Diagram illustrating attic ventilation, comparing normal and faulty attics. Shows airflow entering and exiting soffit vents, insulation arrangement, and impact on moisture and mold growth.

M.M.S. inspects attic intake vents for blockage, calculates recommended venting requirements and checks for roof leaks and improperly vented fans.

Seeing dark staining on your roof sheathing?

We inspect the intake vents, calculate the venting your attic actually needs, and check for roof leaks and improperly vented fans.

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