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Here we explain when a roof tear-off is justified as part of an attic or roof mold cleanup project (rarely) and when roof tear-offs are not justified. This document gives advice on how to find and deal with mold in building attics and roof cavities. This is a chapter of "How to Look for Mold" which describes how to find mold and test for mold in buildings, including how and where to collect mold samples using adhesive tape - an easy, inexpensive, low-tech but very effective mold testing method. (See MOLD TEST KITS for DIY MOLD TESTS for details).

This procedure helps identify the presence of or locate the probable sources of mold reservoirs in buildings, and helps decide which of these need more invasive, exhaustive inspection and testing.

© Copyright 2010 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

ATTIC MOLD When to Tear Off the Roof

How does one determine if the roof should come off

Toxic attic mold: The photo at the left was identified as a toxic mold that probably should be removed, although the ease of movement Generally, tearing off a roof and roof sheathing and perhaps roof framing, to remove mold would not be sensible nor cost-justified. Mold growth, provided it is not just cosmetic mold which can simply be left alone, (see Cosmetic Mold) can be cleaned from wood surfaces by blasting, scrubbing, or even simple surface wiping, depending on the surface accessibility and smoothness. Lots of protruding nails through a roof deck preclude wiping or scrubbing. Do We Need to Sand or Blast the Roof Surface to Remove Mold? Sanding wood building surfaces such as plywood or tongue and groove roof sheathing, wall sheathing, or wood framing is usually unnecessary and inappropriate. Furthermore, sanding a roof deck is almost impossible because of the interference from protruding nails. Media blasting (below) works on these surfaces. If you must return wood surfaces to immaculate, pristine looking condition, perhaps for cosmetic reasons where wood surfaces are left exposed to view in a building interior, see MOLD CLEANUP by MEDIA BLASTING and MOLD CLEANUP by MEDIA BLASTING and MOLD CLEANUP with BLEACH and MOLD CLEANUP - WOOD FRAMING & PLYWOOD and finally MOLD CLEANUP HEALTH RISKS

Do we have to sand or clean moldy wood to remove all traces of mold stains?

Any stains that remain on wood surfaces after cleaning are harmless (usually sterile hyphae remaining below the wood surface).

Fixing the cause of mold is an essential part of any mold cleanup job

At the time of cleaning off mold, it is essential that the cause of mold growth be corrected as well, or mold growth will probably return, regardless of whether any stained surfaces were left from the prior cleaning.

Should I use a biocide or fungicide during roof mold cleanup?

Use of fungicidal encapsulants may reduce but not eliminate the risk of future mold growth, primarily, or more lastingly because such encapsulants reduce the future uptake of moisture in the wood materials.

Fungicidal chemicals themselves can be expected to break down over time and should not be relied on as "mold proofing".

See these articles for details:

FUNGICIDAL SPRAY & SEALANT USE GUIDE
  FUNGICIDAL SPRAY ADVANTAGES
  MOLD SPRAY WARNINGS
  MOLD SPRAY SOURCES & TYPES
MOLD CLEANING MISTAKES

So when is a Roof Tear Off Necessary if I've got a Moldy Attic or Cathedral Ceiling?

When the roof sheathing is rotted or damaged, or when other structural repairs are needed, a tear-off is unavoidable.

When attic surfaces or insulation contain a large reservoir of toxic or allergenic mold, AND if the area were inaccessible, say because the space is too small to enter, then it may be necessary to remove some portion of roofing to give access for remediation, particularly if there is evidence of transmission of problem mold from that space into the living area.

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FIND MOLD in BUILDINGS, HOW TO
  ATTIC MOLD
    ATTIC MOLD CAUSES
    ATTIC MOLD IS A PROBLEM ?
    ATTIC MOLD - IS IT TOXIC?
    ATTIC MOLD, WHERE TO LOOK
    ATTIC MOLD, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
    ATTIC MOLD, HARMLESS COSMETIC?
    ATTIC MOLD ROOF TEAROFF
    ATTIC MOLD ENCAPSULANTS
  BATHROOM MOLD
  BASEMENT MOLD
  BASEMENT MOLD WATER IMPACT
  BLACK MOLD, HARMLESS COSMETIC
  CARPET MOLD CONTAMINATION
  CARPET TEST GUIDE
  CRAWLSPACE MOLD
  DRYWALL MOLD
  DIRT FLOOR MOLD CONTAMINATION
  ESSENTIAL STEPS IN FINDING MOLD
  FLASHLIGHT HELPS FIND MOLD
  WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE
  Black Mold  Brown Mold
  Green Mold  Red Mold
  Yellow Mold  White Mold
  Invisible Mold
  Meruliporia Mold Photographs
  Mildew Photographs
  Recognize Cosmetic Mold
  Recognize Harmless Black Mold
  Stuff that is Mistaken for Mold
  HIDDEN MOLD, HOW TO FIND
  Photo Guide to Finding Hidden Mold
  Hidden Mold Behind Paneling
  Hidden Mold Between Framing & Sheathing
  Hidden Mold in Flooring & Subflooring
  Hidden Mold in Wall Cavities
  Spotting Hard-to-See Mold
  Use of a flashlight to find mold
  Wall test cuts to spot hidden mold
  Light colored toxic molds
  Moisture Gradients and Mold
  Other Places to Look for Hidden Mold
  INSULATION MOLD
  SAMPLE POINT CHOICES FOR MOLD TEST
  SAMPLING MISTAKES
  USING LIGHT TO FIND MOLD
FLOODS & MOLD CLEAN/PREVENT
MOLD ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO
MOLD EXPERT, WHEN TO HIRE
MOLD RELATED ILLNESS
PREVENT MOLD, HOW TO
MOLD DETECTION & INSPECTION
MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE
MOLD APPEARANCE - STUFF THAT IS NOT MOLD

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

• Books, Complete List of Environmental Inspection, Diagnosis, Cleanup, Air Quality & Design, Inspection, Repair Books at the InspectAPedia Bookstore
• Environmental Health & Investigation Bibliography - our own technical library on indoor air quality inspection, testing, laboratory procedures, forensic microscopy, etc.
• Mold and Allergen Recognition and Identification - Not All "Black Mold" is Harmful; Some Suspect Stuff is Not Mold
  • How to Find and Test For Mold in Buildings - Looking for Mold - A 'how to' photo and text primer on finding and testing for mold in buildings
  • Recognizing Mold: What mold looks like mold identification photos to help identify mold - choosing what to sample in buildings
  • Recognizing Allergens: What various indoor allergens look like - identification photos to help identify pollen, dust mites, animal dander, toxic or allergenic mold - Common Mold and other Allergens, Irritants, Remedies & Advice
  • Stuff that is not mold but is often mistaken for it - things you may not want to test. Also, not all "black mold" is toxic - here are examples of harmless black mold.
  • Mold Action Guide: an easy step by step outline of what to do about mold
  • How to find mold without hiring anyone, for do-it-yourself'ers
  • Associations: Sick House, Sick Building, SBS - Air Quality, Government, Private Associations and Information Resources
  • Mold Test Kits - How to Collect and Send Your Own Mold Sample to our mold testing lab
  • How to find a mold inspector or test consultant: Directory of IAQ,Sick Building, Mold Allergen Testing, Building Investigation Service Providers
  • Meruliporia: the house eating fungus or "poria"
  • Mold Investigation Tips for Home Inspectors how to find mold, where to look, what is likely to be important. Advice to building inspectors intending to inspect or test for toxic or problematic mold indoors, mold inspection methods, and mold test methods which are valid or invalid
  • Mold Risk Levels in Buildings Based on Visual Inspection - simple visual clues help decide on action
  • Mold in Fiberglass Insulation© 2005 comments about a field study in process, & more about health hazards from fiberglass insulation - DJF
  • Frequently Asked Questions About Mold -- check this FAQ list & IAQ Site Map to see if you can find a quick answer to your mold concern
  • When to hire a professional to inspect for toxic mold or other allergens
• ...

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