Before

After

Overcoming a Mold-Damaged Attic Space in This Arlington Property

Moisture concerns are common for many Arlington homes, and they threaten the structural integrity of these properties. Even without a recognizable water damage event that leaves standing water or flooding in areas like the residence's attic, this upper storage area can welcome the development of mold and microbial colonies under the right conditions. SERVPRO of Arlington / Jacksonville East responded fast to address these concerns for this homeowner, whose property experienced a substantial spread of black mold beneath the insulation.

When addressed quickly enough, much of the affected materials and contents in this upper area of the house are salvageable. As you can see in the Before Photo, the insulation and ceiling system materials were partially removed to expose the worst affected areas. With the black mold damage exposed, the damage to the plywood underlayment for the roof became evident. Because the mold growth was superficial and had not yet reached the point where irreparable harm had occurred, surface treatment options could begin removing active microorganisms and reducing any need for tear-out or reconstruction.

Because there is a definite space disadvantage to managing microbial threats in attic crawlspaces, effective moisture and mold removal tactics must be considered for this need. For this house, extraction was unnecessary as storm and flood damage did not cause mold growth. Because humidity was the main concern for this structure, directing the intakes and exhausts of low grain refrigerant dehumidifiers to collect and dispose of trapped moisture was critical.

Surface treatments would prove to be the most effective approach for removing growths that you see in the Before Photo. In this specific situation, dry ice blasting with pellets successfully eliminated and destroyed surface mold growth without introducing water to the attic space. In many scenarios, it is beneficial for our SERVPRO of Arlington / Jacksonville East team to keep the work area as dry as possible.

Despite the visible difference with the mold removed in the After Photo, the work was not done. Our SERVPRO professionals then needed to remove harsh musty odors in the environment before they overwhelmed the living space beneath the attic. With inhibitors and biocides sprayed and the smells neutralized, our team could focus on rebuilding the damaged areas with new materials and not leaving roof underlayment exposed.

With a general contractor license, we were able to begin rebuilding and repairing the attic space of this Arlington home. Reinstalling elements like insulation eliminate heated/cool air loss when maintaining ideal temperatures in the property. This process also included a thorough inspection of the roof and repairs needed to prevent moisture penetration that kept the attic damp. As you can see in the After Photo, the mold is gone, and the customer was satisfied.