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Will removing attic help prevent mold?

3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago

I want to remove my attic and slope the ceilings of the entire 480 sq foot second floor. The main reason for this is that I'm worried about mold. I've been in this house for almost 8 years and the only time I went up to the attic was during inspection when purchasing the house. The attic access door is in a closet and partly above the closet shelf, so I can't install an attic ladder. I thought that by removing the attic it would be one less area to worry about maintaining and preventing mold. Am I correct in thinking this? I read that I would need to install rafter or ridge vents and that they can actually allow rain water to enter under the roof. Any advice would be appreciated.

Comments (14)

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    The tens of thousands you would spend on this with no return could be better spent on a myriad of other things including a month or two in Europe. If you want to seal the attic get it spray foamed. Several thousand of dollars upfront, bugs are locked out, and your energy bills are lower. Lopping off the attic and paying through the nose for a flat roof? Nope.

    Nina M thanked HALLETT & Co.
  • PRO
    3 years ago

    "Am I correct in thinking this? "

    No

  • 3 years ago

    Everybody has bugs in their houses, and it has nothing to do with attics. If you have a bug phobia, then you might be able to deal with it more cheaply and permanently by talking to a counselor rather than wasting money on remodeling schemes that won't accomplish what you want. I'm not trying to make light of your concern, but I am trying to give you a reality check.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    Sarcasm aside, get a good exterminator on retainer and leave the attic.

    Nina M thanked Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
  • 3 years ago

    You are definitely overthinking this. Attics do not always have mold, unless, of course, your roof is leaking, or you have poor ventilation. You dont say what year your house was built, but, if there was no mold in the attic when it was inspected, there is no need to worry about it now. There are a lot of other things to worry about with home ownership, please dont panic about things that do not exist. Vaulting your attic upstairs, is just a bit of expensive not needed overkill, for no reason whatsoever.

    Nina M thanked cat_ky
  • 3 years ago

    Kudzu9
    I don’t think everyone needs counciling just because we don’t want bugs I about homes. I also don’t think counseling can help many people get over a fear of them because they are called creepy crawlers for a reason.

  • 3 years ago

    Jane Hester-

    You're right...not everyone needs counseling. But everyone has bugs in their homes, and when concern about it borders on a phobia -- to the point of considering removing an attic -- then counseling might be in order.

  • PRO
    3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Yes, everyone has bugs in their homes, and as I stated previously, get a good exterminator. Unless the fear of bugs is preventing you from living your life fully, you don't need counseling for it.

    And in rereading the original post, it was the problem of mold that led the OP to consider removing the attic, not bugs.

    Nina M thanked Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
  • 3 years ago

    Don’t think they considered it destroying their house. For them it seems they thought it may be easier in the long run to remove the attic being it was also hard to get to. If they are like me and clueless about houses it’s just a thought they were having to make things easier in the long run and wanted opinions. It’s a legit question for a new homeowner to have.

    Nina M thanked JANE HESTER
  • 3 years ago

    I am sure they probably didnt have a clue, but , it is a bit extreme, to even have thought about that. It must feel terrible, to be that paranoid about being a home owner.

  • 3 years ago

    There are legitimate questions, but " Should I use a cannon to kill a mosquito?" may not be one of them.

  • 3 years ago

    I don't think she was considering a flat roof, just raising the ceiling to the rafters to eliminate the attic and make a vaulted ceiling in the home. I live in the woods, in the PNW, known for wet and drizzly weather. I have an unheated attic and absolutely NO mold problems, so I know just having an attic doesn't ensure you'll have mold.

    I would talk to a HVAC company about installing fans in the attic to keep the area well ventilated and pay for a home inspector annually to inspect the attic for leaks and mold. Lots less $$ than what you're considering.


    I don't see anywhere the OP mentions bugs?

    Nina M thanked Olychick
  • 3 years ago

    Professional testing can be useful if you know you have a problem and can't figure out if it's serious or not. But minor mold problems can often be addressed on your own. I agree we should be cautious about home hazards, but you also shouldn't operate out of fear that every bit of mold is a threat to health, or think you need to be randomly or regularly having your house tested on the off chance there is mold lurking somewhere when you have no indications of a problem in the first place.

    Nina M thanked kudzu9