Quality manufactured and installed insulation can last as long as 20 years but sometimes has to be upgraded or replaced. One reason for this is mold on insulation, and if it is the toxic black kind, you need to take action as soon as possible.
Any insulation that turns black and smells muggy has most likely become the victim of mould growth. Mould growth can be easily seen when glasswool insulation becomes discoloured and black patches present. Unfortunately, condensation near your insulation can be the reason for mould growth.
Over the years, the air leaking from the house, carrying dust and other particulates and moisture, turns the fiberglass black. So wherever you see black fiberglass, dig down and look for where the air is leaking out. Once you find the source, use some good quality caulk or canned foam to fill in the holes.
The black on your loft insulation could potentially be caused by dust and mould collecting on your insulative materials, or there could be an air leakage that has gone unnoticed.
If you see blackspots on your attic insulation mould can't be ruled out, but it is possible that there's another cause. Air leakage from inside the house through the walls and ceilings can produce some pretty dramatic localized black spots in fiberglass batts.
When portions of insulating material harbor mold spores, then you should replace it. Even if the material dries out, mold spores can become airborne and travel to other wet areas of the house.
Dirt and black spots on fiberglass insulation can signal air leaks in your attic. While fiberglass batts are good as filler material for dust particles, they're not the first choice for air leakage. Air leaks carry moisture causing mold growth and rot, while conditioned air leaks result in home energy waste.
Insulation can turn black for a couple of reasons, The first is that it's simply dust and dirt that has collected on the surface over the years. The other is that you have a more serious and toxic black mold problem.
Ensuring you have all the right protective gear on (gloves, goggles and a mask), inspect your insulation. If you notice any discoloration on your insulation such as brown, black, or even pink or orange particles, you are dealing with a dirt or mold problem.
Douse the insulation in a bleach solution (1 cup bleach and 1 gallon hot water) and scrape clean with a wire brush.
Attic insulation is an essential part of our homes, but dirty, old, poorly installed insulation can make us sick. While insulation may not be something you usually spend your time worrying about on a day-to-day basis, it's a worthwhile question to ask.
How to tell if your house is poorly insulated. If you're wondering what bad insulation looks like, check to see if it is moldy, wet, or discolored. It may be unevenly dispersed and thin in areas. If you see these problems, take action right away.
Unfortunately, removing mold from insulation is often difficult and more often impossible. Depending on the scale of the problem, some chemicals such as mildicide may be applied to make the mold inert although this is only a temporary fix as the mold re-grows the moment moisture is reintroduced into the space.
It's not mold. This is the result of years and years of air leaking through the insulation; the insulation acts like a filter, and traps all the dust in the air, turning it black. Even though these tiny holes don't seem like a big deal, having them all over your attic can have a huge effect.
As a product, spray foam insulation does not attract mold. And unlike wood or metal, spray foam does not rot, rust, or deteriorate. This means that an area properly sprayed with foam insulation will never become a food source or a hospitable environment for a mold colony.
If you notice that your cellulose insulation is starting to get wet, it's important to take action immediately. Dry out the area as much as possible and consider replacing the insulation if it appears damaged. These steps will help ensure that your home stays warm and dry.
Black mold, a type of mold that can potentially pose health risks to humans. It produces mycotoxins, which are toxic substances that can be released into the air when the mold is disturbed or when it grows on damp or decaying materials.
If you find black mold on your property, there's no need to panic. But black mold presents more health risks to sensitive groups like those with respiratory conditions or immune conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), black mold spores can generate cold- or flu-like symptoms such as: Stuffy nose.
However, due to its construction with natural materials, eventually the product will lose effectiveness. Fiberglass insulation typically needs to be replaced 15-20 years into it's life, as it can easily become dirty, wet, moldy, and ineffective if there's a roof leak or water damage of any kind.
In many cases you can add new insulation on top of old insulation, unless the old insulation is wet, mouldy, or vermiculite. If the old insulation is dry but appears to have previously been wet, you should look for the cause and repair the problem.