Is Roof Mould Dangerous For Your Home and Your Family?

Roof mould is more than an unattractive sight that detracts from your home’s appeal. Mould on roof can threaten the integrity of your home and impact your family’s health. Removing mould growth as soon as possible and taking proactive steps to decrease the humidity in your home can prevent mould from growing back.

In this article, we explore the impact of mould on your roof, health problems caused by mould, and how to get rid of roof mould.

Types of Roof Mould

First, what types of roof mould are there? Roof mould can take many forms:

• Mould in the roof cavity
• Mould on roof tiles – Mould can build up over time and degrade your roof tiles.
• Mould on the ceiling

What Causes Mould On The Roof?

The most common cause of roof mould is a roof leak. If you spot a patch of rot, mould or moisture on your ceiling, there’s a good chance that a water leak or roof damage is providing the damp, humid conditions that mould needs to thrive.

Other common causes of mould in the roof space include:

• Wet ceiling insulation
• Condensation on your ceiling
• Steam from hot water or cooking
• Leaking pipes and gutters
• Pockets of moist air trapped in your wall cavities
• Damp wallpaper glue
• Poor ventilation in your roof cavity

Is Roof Mould Dangerous?

Roof mould can cause structural damage to your home, but more importantly, it can impact your health.

Effects of Mould on Health

What does mould do to your health? Mould is a toxic fungus. To reproduce, mould produces tiny spores, which drift on the air and cannot be seen by the naked eye. While most people’s immune systems are resilient against small numbers of these toxic spores, people with weakened immune systems, allergies, severe asthma or lung disease who inhale the spores are at risk of health complications.

Health problems caused by mould can include:

• Allergic reactions for allergy sufferers: Nasal congestion, watery red eyes, a dry cough, skin rashes, sore throat, sneezing, sinusitis, phlegm build-up, wheezing and shortness of breath
• Asthma attacks for asthma sufferers: A dry cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, and difficulty with breathing
• Health problems for people with respiratory and lung infections: Fever and difficulty breathing
• People with weakened immune systems: Nausea and headaches

In large quantities, mould spores can cause ill health in anyone. If you are concerned about the effects of mould on your health, seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Impact Of Roof Mould On Your Home

Roof mould causes structural damage to your home. As mould grows, it digests the surface it is attached to, breaking down the surface and weakening it like termites. If you don’t fix roof mould quickly, the damage can be expensive.

How To Identify Mould

Mould is not always easy to identify. It often takes the appearance of a stain, a smudge or fuzz. Its colour can range from black, green or white to grey, orange or brown.

How To Prevent Mould From Growing On Your Roof

Most roof moulds need 24 to 48 hours to develop, so it’s important to act quickly as soon as you notice roof leaks, moisture or mould growing on your ceiling or walls. The longer the mould grows, the more damage it can cause. Ceiling mould is unhealthy and can permanently damage your ceilings.

Since mould only grows when there is sufficient moisture, one of the most effective ways to conquer mould growth is to prevent dampness in your home. Here are some practical steps you can take to prevent roof mould:

• Get a free roof inspection to check for cracks, roof leaks and damaged gutters
• Keep downspouts and gutters clean and free of debris
• Maintain proper ventilation by installing a whirlybird on your roof
• Open up your windows and doors regularly
• Let natural sunlight into your house
• Repair all water leaks and plumbing problems as soon as possible
• To prevent bathroom roof mould, use an exhaust fan when showering
• To prevent kitchen mould, use an exhaust fan when cooking
• Reduce the humidity in your home with a dehumidifier

The most common areas of the home for mould growth include:

• Kitchens, bathrooms and laundries – These damp areas may encourage mould growth or roof mould due to condensation, high humidity and leaking pipes.
• Walls and ceilings – Roof mould can grow due to insufficient insulation or rain seeping through a hole in the roof.
• Cupboards and corners – These areas have restricted ventilation.

How To Get Rid Of Mould On Roof

Early detection and treatment of roof mould is critical. To defeat roof mould, it’s best to hire roof professionals who can thoroughly investigate the cause for you while adhering to high safety standards. At Strongguard, we can:

• Repair your roof to stop roof leaks – If you do not repair the underlying cause (a roof leak), the roof mould will return.
• Improve ceiling insulation – Improving insulation in your home creates a barrier, reducing mould growth conditions.
• Remove roof mould – Eliminate roof mould from your roof cavity, roof tiles or ceiling permanently.
• Offer practical advice on roof and ceiling maintenance – Provide advice on keeping roof mould at bay, including roof mould cleaner.

Suspect that you have mould growing in your roof cavity or on your roof? Get in touch with us today on (07) 3623 4422 to receive a quote for roof mould removal.