Rainy days and humidity contribute to mold growth on the roof and ceiling, especially when a home is riddled with undiscovered leaks. Mold is a pervasive fungus and will colonize ceilings and rooftops that remain damp. Here’s how to remove mold from these areas after a downpour.

Fierce storms may loosen rooftop shingles. Loose shingles will, over time, be vulnerable to high winds. As wind gusts lift the shingles, rainwater has the opportunity to seep underneath them. A cracked, weakened roof develops gradually, eventually leading to leaks that enter the interior parts of the home.

A roof leak will prompt a homeowner to immediately begin rooftop repairs. While the roof will be fixed right away, a savvy homeowner should also be on the lookout for mold growth along the roof and ceiling. The EPA confirms that a leaky roof can lead to a mold infestation.

Mold colonies have the potential to multiply on rooftop areas where moisture cannot escape. When air is unable to reach and dry rooftop crevices, moisture becomes trapped. In places that remain damp, mold begins to grow. In fact, mold develops within 24 to 48 hours after prolonged water exposure.

A few dark splotches along the roof or the ceiling underneath may seem harmless. However, mold colonies are far from benign. Mold growth weakens structural materials, leads to rot, and eventually disintegrates the home. The home’s occupants can also suffer from mold allergy symptoms.

Step 1: Identify areas affected by mold

Cleaning up mold at its first sign is critical to home maintenance. A homeowner can identify mold due to roof leaks by visually inspecting the ceilings. A roof leak will cause circular brown or yellow staining along the ceilings. Furthermore, after a roof leak, inspect the attic for mold growth.

Homeowners must be aware that visible mold is just one part of the problem. Concealed mold, or mold that remains hidden to the untrained eye, can be equally destructive. Mold can grow in the ceiling beams, drywall, insulation, and anywhere else water damage has occurred.

Step 2: Repair the roof leak

Mold growth may be confined to a small area. Minor instances of mold may be effectively removed by the homeowner. This DIY task first requires repairing the source of the water leak, in this case, the roof. Consult a professional roofing contractor to fix the rooftop leak.

Step 3: Apply an EPA-registered fungicide

Once the water leak has been repaired and no additional moisture has a chance to enter the home, apply a fungicide to the existing mold colonies. Opt for an EPA-registered fungicide specifically formulated to remove mold. A fungicide efficiently kills mold systems directly at the spore.

Many fungicides are available in spray bottles, which is ideal for ensuring uniform coverage of the affected areas. Once applied, wait at least 15 minutes to allow the product to destroy the mold at the root. Some mold removers leave behind an antimicrobial coating to prevent future growth.

Step 4: Ventilate the area

After allowing the fungicide to penetrate for its recommended time, physically scrape off the mold from the surface of the ceiling. Adequate air ventilation is necessary at this point to thoroughly dry the attic. Natural airflow is one option, as is setting up heating and dehumidification equipment.

Step 5: Monitor the roof and ceiling

The homeowner should revisit the spaces affected by mold to see if the growth has returned. Inspections should take place over the next few weeks. If the mold has reappeared, repeat the abovementioned steps to eradicate all traces of roof and ceiling mold growth.

Read 4 Things You Can Do to Prevent Water Damage for more information on restoring your home from water emergencies.

Step 6: Call in mold remediation professionals

Interior mold growth is a catastrophe, one that may require the expertise of skilled mold cleanup professionals. If the ceiling or roof mold continues to reappear despite cleaning efforts, a mold remediation company is the next best step in a homeowner’s journey to eradicate the fungus.

In fact, calling in mold cleanup specialists is advised, since mold growth can extend far beyond what the homeowner can see. As mentioned, mold can thrive behind the walls or other concealed spaces. Trained mold abatement experts have the equipment, knowledge, and skill to eliminate all mold growth.

Mold removal technicians contain the area to prevent mold spores from contaminating other parts of the home. Removing a portion of a moldy ceiling, for example, can release a flurry of airborne mold spores that will infiltrate the rest of the home—and increase the chances of mold growing elsewhere.

Homeowners who are faced with a nasty case of mold are urged to turn to experienced professionals. Mold remediation companies with a qualified team of IICRC certified technicians will return your mold damaged property to its pre-loss condition quickly.

Roof leaks and the resulting mold growth along ceilings are a common occurrence in geographical areas where precipitation is high. Winters in Tacoma, Washington, for instance, are often rainy—and moisture can enter the home through damaged roof shingles and cause an unwanted mold infestation.

Professional technicians are capable of tackling mold growth anywhere in your property, whether it is on the ceiling, behind the walls, under the carpeting, or hidden deep within the insulation. Using high-tech equipment, they identify both visible and concealed mold growth and remove it.

The first step is to assess the extent of mold damage. They cooperate with and communicate their findings to your insurance company. The mold cleanup process begins by carefully containing the affected areas to prevent cross-contamination. They remove the mold spores and repair or restore all damaged surfaces.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.