Mold tends to grow in moist environments, including roofing materials. In addition to diminishing the appearance of your property, spores can spread into the attic, enter the HVAC system, and circulate through your indoor air. Inhalation of harmful fungi can cause allergy flare-ups, asthma attacks, and serious upper respiratory illnesses, so recognizing and eliminating buildups will keep your family safe. Here's how to tell when your residential roofing has mold and how to mitigate the problem.

Signs of Mold on Roofing

Visible patches are among the most obvious symptoms of mold growth. You might notice black, brown, or white streaks on shingles, flashing, and trims. You may also observe patches in the attic, which indicate the spread of spores into the residence. 

Mold can produce odors ranging from musty and earthy to putrid and rancid. You might notice these unpleasant smells outside your home, in the attic, and in second-story rooms. If not accompanied by visible patches, there could be hidden spores beneath loose shingles and flashing. 

Moist conditions that lead to fungal buildups can also cause residential roofing materials to deteriorate. When rainwater penetrates damaged shingles and membranes, it can leak into the home, causing mold buildup, indoor flooding, and property damage.

How to Mitigate Mold Growth 

As soon as you notice the first signs of mold on your roofing, you'll need a professional remediation team to remove the buildups. These companies wear respirator masks, goggles, and hazmat suits to prevent exposure while eliminating harmful spores. 

They also use powerful disinfectant products to clean mold off roofing materials and prevent it from growing back. They'll perform tests before and after cleaning to ensure effective and thorough removal.

You should also schedule a roof inspection. A contractor can check for missing or broken shingles and dislodged flashing, performing repairs to prevent moisture from causing mold buildup and water damage. If they identify extensive damage, they may recommend re-roofing to keep your home watertight and mold-free. 

If harmful mold damages your roofing, get in touch with Quality Enterprise. These roofing contractors provide repairs, re-roofing, and new installations to homes in Waynesboro, VA. They'll protect your property from mold growth and provide helpful tips to prevent future problems. Call (540) 949-0566 to request an estimate on a new roof or roof repairs, or visit the website to learn more about their certified work.