Inspector1 Posted September 13, 2016 Report Share Posted September 13, 2016 I found microbial growths in a vented attic. The house was 21 years old, original roof. The venting appeared to be properly installed. The ridge vents had wide gaps at the top. The enclosed soffits were not blocked with insulation, but there was microbial growths on the sheathing. Normally its caused from lack of or blocked vents. Any suggestions. Click to Enlarge 52.57 KB Click to Enlarge 60.33 KB Click to Enlarge 57.73 KB Click to Enlarge 61.53 KB Click to Enlarge 38.4 KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted September 13, 2016 Report Share Posted September 13, 2016 I find this a few times a week. Ventilate all you want: if warm moist air hits a cold surface, it condenses and mold ensues. Sometimes ventilation just drives this engine. Ventilation is not the answer to moldy attics. Reducing moisture is. Sometimes moisture rides into the attic on the ventilation train. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspector1 Posted September 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2016 What advise do you give to your client on reducing the moisture in the attic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted September 13, 2016 Report Share Posted September 13, 2016 It depends on the house. I usually spend time figuring out the likely sources of moisture. Most often, it's bathroom, laundry, or kitchen exhaust ducts that don't vent 100% outdoors (and I really mean 100%). Just pointing the duct toward a vent jack doesn't cut it. Oftentimes it's wet crawlspaces, which are an epidemic in my area. Sometimes it's skylight wells in bathrooms, which function like little shower steam chimneys to direct steamy air into the attic. Frequently, it's just typical air bypasses: recessed ceiling lights, poorly sealed top plates, holes around light fixtures, etc. Occasionally, it's sun-warmed steam from sidewalls rising up into soffit vents. I've seen a few where the wrap around porch shares the same attic space as the house. Recessed lights there pump damp air into the attic. You need to do some sleuthing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted September 13, 2016 Report Share Posted September 13, 2016 Building materials come from the lumberyard with that much mold on them. Unless you can smell it, I wouldn't be concerned at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted September 13, 2016 Report Share Posted September 13, 2016 Occasionally, it's sun-warmed steam from sidewalls rising up into soffit vents. In my area, soffit vents cause more problems than they solve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted September 13, 2016 Report Share Posted September 13, 2016 We're finding that with SPF applications, vapor drive is intense, more so than I'd have ever imagined. If the only way out is into the attic, that's where it goes. That said, some of those black spotty areas look like sheets we pull off the bunk, like Raymond said. Was there additional "mold" beyond the black spotty areas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trent Tarter Posted September 13, 2016 Report Share Posted September 13, 2016 It's very common to find minor fungi growth and/or darkened roof sheathing in attic, especially down below eaves. Based on the photos, I would recommend a qualified contractor treat and remediate fungi growth as needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted September 14, 2016 Report Share Posted September 14, 2016 Did the HVAC system have a whole house humidifier? Usually when I find lots of mold in the attic, a humidifier is involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted September 14, 2016 Report Share Posted September 14, 2016 It's very common to find minor fungi growth and/or darkened roof sheathing in attic, especially down below eaves. Based on the photos, I would recommend a qualified contractor treat and remediate fungi growth as needed. A pointless exercise unless you first find and correct the source of the moisture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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