Homeowners in Nanaimo, Victoria, Duncan, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Campbell River, Port Alberni and all other locations on Vancouver Island many times ask the question: When do I need to remove the roofing because of mold contamination?
Do we need to remove the roof or perform other demolition to clean or remove attic, cathedral ceiling, or other roof cavity mold contamination? 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.
ATTIC MOLD When to Tear Off the Roof
How does one determine if the roof should come off to remove attic mold contamination?
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, can be neutralized from all surfaces by Pacific Decontamination Services
Lots of protruding nails through a roof deck preclude wiping or scrubbing the roof decking surface and media blasting might be appropriate in some situations.
Watch out: do not launch a costly attic or under-roof mold cleanup job for harmless or cosmetic mold growths. Most of the time, Pacific Decontamination Services can help with a much more affordable option.
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.
Do we have to sand or clean moldy wood to remove all traces of mold stains?
No. 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.
We neutralize mold from roof framing and sheathing;
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 either fog the area or 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.
How to Remove, Eliminate and Remediate Mold in Attics in Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Port Alberni, Comox, Courtenay, and Campbell River
Pacific Decontamination Services neutralize your mold by applying our eco-friendly, safe chemical into your attic. Depending on the job, we apply our formula by spray and fog. We do not use a tent. The average time of our on-site service is approximately one hour. An additional four hours is required to achieve maximum effectiveness. We ask that you stay out of the premise for approximately 4 hours in total. Read more about how we work.
Pacific Decontamination Services uses the world’s strongest, most effective and safe antimicrobial disinfectant, deodorization and chemical decontaminate. Our professional application will eliminate up to accepted levels of any allergen, germ, bacteria or fungus that it touches. AND as powerful as it is, it is also completely safe.
What do you do next? How do you solve the challenge of mold and associated health hazards?
Call Pacific Decontamination Services at
778-269-0208 or email us!
Serving All of Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Port Alberni,
Comox, Courtenay, Campbell River, and all of Vancouver Island:
