Removing Mold From Attic Insulation

In most cases mold growth on the insulation is found when mold on the roof sheathing is present as well.

Removing mold from attic insulation. How to remove moldy insulation 1. Put on protective gear before touching moldy insulation. By far the most popular diy mold killer is bleach. Because wood is porous it may be difficult to remove the mold stains from sheathing but you can kill.

Lay dropcloths on the floor taping the edges to the wall. Installing fans in your attic windows so they blow outside helps reduce the airborne spores. Tape the seams as well to prevent mold spores from. The most effective way to remove mold from hard porous materials such as wood rafters and plywood roof decking is to scrub it with detergent and water while wearing a dust mask and rubber gloves.

Cardboard paper or loose fill insulation should be disposed of as these will be practically impossible to clean. Remove all contaminated material seal it in plastic and dispose of as regular waste. Other options for limited areas of mold include spraying it with a mixture of water and tea tree oil or water and vinegar. Now that you ve prepped the space it s time to attack the mold itself.

You can also cover the insulation with plastic foil and fold the foil sealing its contents after the cleaning process. In these cases the mildicide treatment applied to the roof sheathing will also treat the mold on the insulation. Wet insulation should be removed as quickly as possible and allowed to dry. While wearing a mask and gloves to protect yourself from both the mold and the bleach carefully apply the bleach solution to the moldy area.

The mold removal process involves scrubbing hard surfaces with a biocide but porous items like insulation and drywall cannot be cleaned and must be thrown out and replaced. Mix a cup of bleach into a gallon of water and use that solution to attack the mold. Therefore in some cases it is best to remove the affected insulation. Wear disposable clothing if possible.

Bleach is corrosive and nasty to use and it kills only surface mold. If your attic mold is limited to a very small area you may be able to use a power sander or a wire brush to remove it. Brush all contaminated porous insulation such as fabric or foam with a wire brush to remove loose mold. This will not remove the mold spores or the discoloration.

Wooden wall studs and similar items must often be sanded to remove all traces of mold since wood is somewhat porous. If not wear coveralls. They recommend using hepa vacuum after this but in the attic you d most likely have to remove the floor insulation if contaminated.