You shouldn’t allow moisture to build up in your attic; you’re inviting a whole host of future problems for yourself. If your attic is damp, you may notice clusters of black spots of mold appearing. If this toxic black mold continues to spread, it can easily contribute to respiratory infections, allergies, and other problems. This is especially dangerous for children and other vulnerable people. Attics are often neglected and forgotten about, which gives moisture ample time to develop unnoticed. Many homeowners will only access their attic once in a blue moon, perhaps to store Christmas decorations or peruse old mementos and photo albums. Excessive attic moisture can be a serious problem, as it may rot away your timber and undermine your home’s structural integrity.

What causes attic moisture?

Though causes can vary, the most common causes are as follows:

• Clothes dryers venting to your attic, rather than outside
• Firewood in your attic (this type of wood encourages moisture in the air)
• Insufficient ventilation of warm/moist air
• Non-existent or inadequate barrier between the attic and your home’s living space
• A faulty air conditioner condensate pan
• Bathroom exhaust fans venting to the attic, rather than outside

How to identify moisture in your attic

Mold and mildew growth is the main indicator of attic moisture, aside from simply observing damp timber. Inspect for signs of mold and mildew if you think that your attic may have moisture problems. You should look for small greenish and/or black-colored dots on boxes, insulation, or any other materials in the attic. These are signs of exceedingly moist air. Windows and other glass surfaces may also present condensation, and this is another sign of moisture being present in the air.

How to dry out a wet attic

A dehumidifier could be the perfect solution for drying out the air in your attic. Be sure, however, to drain it frequently in order to sustain its usefulness. A dehumidifier will cease to remove any more moisture once its storage tank becomes full. Though dehumidifiers will help, they don’t address the root cause(s) of the moisture problem. A lack of ventilation, barrier gaps, and a multitude of other problems may be the cause of your attic’s moisture, and it is imperative that you identify and remove these problems in order to sustainably keep your attic dry and mold/mildew free.