"Do I really need to tear off my roof?" is a question that I am asked frequently, by homeowners who have discovered they are the victims of a black mold infestation in their attic.
Many of them have been told by someone that it is the only way to truly fix the mold problem that they have in their attic. Many roofers especially are quick to recommend this remedy as the "only right way to use" if you have attic mold.
Don't get stuck on the color of the mold either. The media has hyped "Black Mold" way out of proportion. What makes black mold black is the same chemical that gives your skin a suntan, namely melanin. Melanin is not poisonous or dangerous. This gives homeowners a false sense of security if the mold in their home happens to be white, green, yellow or some other color than black, believing incorrectly that it is harmless.
The truth is there are Toxic Molds that are white, green, gray, brown, red and black.
In fact even non-toxic molds can become opportunistic pathogens that are capable of feeding on you and living in or on your own body! It all depends on the kind of mold and the state of your own immune system.
The fact is, it doesn't matter what kind of mold it is or even if its poisonous... if it is feeding on the boards of your attic, it needs to be treated right away. The reason is simple it can make your family sick and it is destroying the boards of the roof. That's right mold releases powerful enzymes that are proven to rot and destroy wood! These enzymes are so powerful they are actually the workhorses inside of the gut of wood boring beetles and termites. That's right scientists have discovered that termites and wood boring beetles actually have a symbiotic relationship and mold living inside of their guts is what allows them to digest the strong lignen binders inside of wood, allowing them to eat their way through the toughest wood.
Finally, it is flat out like throwing your hard earned money right out the window! Why waste money to replace shingles and boards that are structurally sound???
It is possible for the mold to be safely treated and for the mold job to last permanently, the key is in both destroying the spores and destroying the mold roots. The home owner must be very careful however in selecting a knowledgeable contractor with a thorough, safe and not-toxic process. It can be a challenge, which is why we train contractors all over the world in safe effective mold treatments. Remember if you have a mold problem in the attic don't buy a new roof and throw away your money, hire a safe mold professional and treat the heart of the problem the mold.... Not the roof!