Mold in the Attic

Mold remediation and removal of molds

by David Barnaby, AllergyBuyersClub.com Staff

QUESTION:
Hi, I liked your site a lot, but I still have a question that I wonder if you could answer. I had a leaky roof. The rafters got wet and some of the plywood rotted. There is a black/gray mold (not shiny or slimy of fuzzy) up there now. I sprayed it with bleach to kill it and now all is dry. I'm planning to paint/entomb it with a heavy polyurethane based floor paint to prevent future exposure to the air. Tearing the top of the house off is not an option as I am broke. Does this plan sound feasible?

Thanks, Bob

INFO LINKS Dehumidifiers Overview - view all Dehumidifiers sold by AllergyBuyersClub.com Dehumidifiers Comparison Chart - a comparison with pluses and minuses of all the best dehumidifiers Mold Solution Guide - a quick buyers guide of the best recommended products to solve mold allergy problems Mold Learning Center - FAQs and Mold Prevention and Cleaning articles

RESPONSE:
Hi Bob,
The main thing you want to do is first eradicate the mold. It sounds like you have done this.

The next thing you need to do is fix the source of the mold in the first place which was the leaky roof. Getting rid of the mold and sealing it with paint will help temporarily but if your roof continues to leak you will eventually grow new mold. Keep in mind, when water accumulates mold can start to grow within 48 hours. In addition, if you have stagnant mold that is dormant it will start to grow new spores within 24 hours if moisture is present.

If you have any questions concerning any of this please feel free to call or respond.

Thank you,
Dave Barnaby

First Published: September 2002
Updated: September 2003

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