Here in Florida it’s important to stay conscious of mold growth and the potential for inviting mold into our homes. The homeowners we work with often worry that their roof insulation may become moldy.
Yes, some insulation can get moldy. It depends on the type you use. Cellulose insulation, which is just post-waste news print, can definitely get moldy. It’s an organic material, it gets damp easily, and it provides mold with the food that it loves.
Fortunately, we don’t use that. We use fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass does not get moldy. This makes it one of the safest types of insulation to bring into a Florida home. Under normal circumstances you’ll never have any kind of problem with this insulation.
What happens when fiberglass insulation turns black?
You may believe you’re looking at mold, but you’re actually just looking at dirt.
However, this does not mean that black roof insulation doesn’t indicate a problem in your home. Usually, it indicates a spot where air is leaking in your attic. That air is carrying the dirt, which in turn causes the discoloration on your roof insulation. A pipe or a wire that runs outside of your home could be the culprit.
However, this doesn’t mean that dirt is no big deal. It’s not just an indicator of an energy problem. The dirt itself can become a breeding ground for mold. There is actually a great deal of organic material within dirt that can allow mold to grow.
This is especially true if the leaks are going to allow water into your attic as well. Florida is hot and humid enough; attics are hot houses and wet insulation really will let mold have a field day. The mold can easily spread to your rafters as well.
What should you do if you have black insulation?
Your response should be two-fold.
First, you should have that insulation replaced as soon as possible. You probably won’t have to insulate the whole home, but you’ll still need to respond.
Second, you should see about having those leak points discovered and sealed up so the problem doesn’t happen again. Remember, mold can spread incredibly quickly. It can make your home all but unlivable. Thus, it pays to peek up into your attic every now and then just to see what’s going on.
Besides, you insulate your home to conserve energy and to keep your bills low. There’s no sense in allowing air to escape under any circumstances.
Call Done Rite Insulation at 727-585-8747 if you need new roof insulation.
We’ll respond quickly, give you a quote, and get the job “done right!”
Image credit: taigi
