Mold is a “growing” (no pun intended) concern for homeowners. Mold can accumulate in both the interior and exterior areas in and around your home. Serving Charlotte and the surrounding area for over two decades in the exterior business has afforded me the opportunity to witness both miniscule and severe mold growth issues. From mold growing around the sills of single hung windows to mold growing within the attics of homes, and most recently mold growing underneath the shingles of a roofing project.
The best way to avoid a mold issue and the potential health risks it may cause is with routine inspections and maintenance of your roof. At Belk Builders, we are concerned about the safety and well-being of our friends and neighbors here in Charlotte and the surrounding areas. We provide roof inspections and evaluations free of charge, so any potential issues can be found and repaired before causing harm. We care about keeping you and your loved ones safe!
Mold issues detected during removal of existing roof in Matthews, NC.
During our recent roof inspection for a home in the Matthews area, it was determined that not only were the shingles of the home damaged in need of replacement, but the plywood sheathing under them was covered in mold. Typically during an aged roof replacement project, the plywood on the roof decking doesn’t need to be changed, but when the crew pulled up the old roofing material they found masses of branching threads that resembled dense cobwebs all over the surface of the plywood as well as large sections of rotted wood. This resulted needing replacement in addition to the shingles as part of this roof replacement, making it more structurally sound and removing the potential for health risks caused by mold.
This particular project did not turn out to be one of those “Fear Factor” stories in regards to the discovery of mold that many homeowners find themselves living under. Keep in mind, not all mold is as dangerous as the “black mold” or Stachybotrys chartarum that we hear about on TV all the time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins (specifically mycotoxins), so the molds themselves are not toxic, or poisonous, but can still cause health issues. In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible. A common-sense approach of regular inspections and maintenance should be used in the battle to prevent any mold from developing withinm or on, your home.
The culprit for the accumulated mold on our Matthews clients’ home was inadequate ventilation within the attic. This is common in homes 20 years and older, because back then builders didn’t know a great deal about proper ventilation and its benefits. The hot/cold/ moisture build up within the attic and the combination of it not being vented properly led to the accumulation of mold, and rot. To prevent this from being an issue in the future, Belk Builders installed new ridge vents and power fans to alleviate the problem. Ridge vents are installed at the peak of a sloped roof, which allows better circulation of air throughout the attic and reduces the chance of moisture buildup.
Although this was not the case in our recent Matthews roof replacement project, we must point out that the roof is NOT the only place we seen this type of mold accumulate. Wooden single paned windows are famous for producing unsightly, hard to clean mold on the insides of the window sills. Condensation excessive moisture is the culprit. Double paned high quality replacement windows will eliminate these issues.
If you think your roof may be damaged or in need of repair or replacement, or perhaps you’ve seen signs of condensation around your windows, the single best thing you can do is call Belk Builders for a free roof and/or window inspection today. We’ll help you spot any potential problems and assist you in dealing with them before they become a bigger issue. Call us at (704) 400-4710 or contact us at info@belkcustombuilders.com here to help!
“Siding, Window Replacement, Roofing & More!”
Kent Frerichs, Owner Belk Builders.
