BLOG
Attic Temperature with Dark Composition Shingle Roof
What Makes a Top-Rated Insulation Contractor?
Best Mold Removal Products: What Actually Works (And What’s Just Hype)
Attic Mold Inspection Services in Spokane & Coeur d’Alene: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know
Is It Illegal to Sell a House with Mold in Washington or Idaho?
What Is Attic Mold, and Why Is It So Common Here?
💸 What Does Attic Mold Mitigation Cost in Spokane & Coeur d’Alene?
Attic mold foggers might sound like a quick-fix miracle in a can—but the truth is, they’re often more smoke than solution. Here’s a straight-up breakdown of the shortcomings of mold foggers when it comes to attic mold : 🚫 1. They Don’t Eliminate the Source Mold grows because of moisture and poor ventilation . Foggers don’t fix: Roof leaks Bathroom fans dumping into the attic Blocked soffits Air leaks from the home into the attic No matter how much fog you pump up there, the mold’s coming back if the conditions stay the same. ⚠️ 2. No Physical Mold Removal Foggers do not scrub, lift, or remove mold colonies . They only coat surfaces. Mold still needs to be: Brushed off Vacuumed with a HEPA system Treated with antimicrobial agents Dead mold spores can still trigger allergies and health issues—so leaving them there isn’t a win. 🪵 3. Poor Penetration on Porous Surfaces Attics are full of raw, porous wood —rafters, sheathing, joists. Foggers often can’t penetrate deep enough into the wood grain where mold roots have taken hold. That means: Spores may survive inside the wood Regrowth is likely, especially in humid climates 🧴 4. Short-Term Fix, No Residual Protection Most over-the-counter foggers don’t leave behind a long-lasting antimicrobial barrier. Unlike encapsulation with mold-killing primers , foggers offer: No surface sealing No moisture resistance No long-term protection 🧯 5. False Sense of Security Because foggers leave a scent and the mold "looks better," homeowners may think the problem is solved—but the underlying issue remains . This delays real remediation and can lead to much worse (and more expensive) problems later. 💸 6. Cost vs. Effectiveness For DIYers, foggers aren’t cheap—and they don’t replace: Proper insulation removal Real mold remediation Ventilation correction So you're spending money to mask the problem rather than fix it. ✅ Bottom Line: Foggers may help with odor control or surface disinfecting, but they’re not a standalone solution for attic mold. Real mold remediation requires: Source control (leaks, ventilation) Physical removal Disinfection with EPA-registered products Sealing with mold-resistant primers Insulation replacement if contaminated
Mold remediation isn't just spraying bleach and walking away. It's a multi-step process that requires proper containment, safety, treatment, and restoration. Here's a deep dive into the phases of mold remediation. 🧰 1. Inspection & Moisture Source Identification What’s involved: Visual attic inspection Moisture readings (IR cameras or moisture meters) Identifying leak sources, venting issues, insulation saturation 🔒 2. Containment & Setup What’s involved: Sealing off the work area with plastic sheeting Creating negative air pressure (HEPA fan) Floor protection and access control 🧼 3. Insulation Removal (if contaminated) What’s involved: Attic vacuum system for blown-in or batt insulation Bagging and disposal of contaminated material 🧪 4. Mold Cleaning & Disinfection What’s involved: Applying EPA-registered products (e.g., Vital Oxide , Benefect, Concrobium) Brushing/scrubbing visible mold HEPA vacuuming all surfaces 🎨 5. Encapsulation What’s involved: Spraying mold-resistant primer/sealant (e.g., Zinsser Perma-White , Fiberlock Aftershock) Covering all exposed wood (rafters, decking, joists) 🌬️ 6. Ventilation Correction & Air Sealing What’s involved: Bathroom fan rerouting to exterior Unclogging soffits Installing baffles Sealing light can penetrations, top plates, pipes 🧱 7. Insulation Reinstallation What’s involved: Installing new blown-in cellulose (often R-49 or greater) Final prep, air sealing touch-ups ⚠️ Notes on Pricing: Emergency jobs (flood/mold after storms) = higher labor rate Crawlspaces or tight attics increase time and hazard pay Licensed mold remediation companies often include limited warranties, which may increase overhead
Mold in the attic isn’t just an eyesore—it’s a serious problem that can wreck your insulation, damage your roof, and affect your health. Unfortunately, it often goes unnoticed until it becomes a full-blown issue. Whether you're in Spokane , Coeur d’Alene , or anywhere mold loves to hide, here's what you need to know. 🧠 How Do You Know If You Have Mold in the Attic? (Symptoms to Watch For) Most homeowners never think about their attic until there’s a problem. Mold usually develops silently, but here are the key warning signs: Musty or earthy smell upstairs or in rooms near the attic Stains or discoloration on ceilings or around light fixtures Increased allergy symptoms (sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes) without a clear cause Frost buildup on roof nails in winter (a sign of moisture) Dark or fuzzy patches on rafters, roof sheathing, or insulation High humidity or condensation in the attic If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to investigate—and fast. 🛠️ What Causes Attic Mold? Attic mold thrives on three things: moisture , organic material (like wood) , and poor ventilation . Here are the most common culprits: ❌ Bathroom fans vented into the attic ❌ Blocked or clogged soffits and lack of ridge/gable vents ❌ Roof leaks or ice dams ❌ Inadequate insulation leading to warm air intrusion ❌ Unsealed gaps around light fixtures or plumbing All of these create a moisture-rich environment perfect for mold growth. 🧼 How to Get Rid of Attic Mold (The Right Way) Cleaning attic mold isn’t a DIY spray-and-pray job—it requires a professional mold remediation process to truly fix it. Here’s how we tackle it: 1. Inspection & Moisture Source Identification We perform a full attic inspection to identify not just the mold—but why it’s there. Bathroom fans, roof leaks, and ventilation issues are common offenders. 2. Attic Insulation Removal If your insulation is mold-contaminated, it has to go. We use a high-powered attic vacuum system to safely remove and dispose of infected materials. 3. Mold Treatment & Disinfection We apply professional-grade solutions like Vital Oxide to kill active mold spores. It’s safe, effective, and leaves no harsh chemical residue. 4. Encapsulation with Mold-Resistant Primer To prevent mold from coming back, we apply a mold-killing primer like Zinsser Perma-White to all exposed attic surfaces. This seals the wood and blocks future mold growth. 5. Ventilation & Air Sealing Fixes We correct any airflow issues—unclogging soffits, rerouting bathroom fans, and balancing intake/exhaust ventilation. We also air seal attic gaps to stop warm, moist air from entering. 6. Insulation Reinstallation We install blown-in cellulose insulation , which resists mold and pests, provides excellent R-value, and performs great in extreme temperatures. ✅ How to Prevent Attic Mold from Returning Vent bathroom fans outside , never into the attic. Keep soffits unblocked and attic ventilation balanced. Install air sealing before insulating. Choose mold-resistant insulation like cellulose. Have your attic inspected regularly—especially after a leak, ice dam, or roof repair. 🌲 Serving Spokane & Coeur d’Alene with Trusted Mold Solutions At Pacific Insulation & Mold Remediation , we know attics inside and out. Our mold remediation services are built to eliminate the root cause , not just treat symptoms. From inspection to encapsulation, we stand by our work—and we do it right the first time. Think you might have attic mold? Don’t wait until it spreads. 📞 Call us today or schedule your attic inspection online.
