Markham (Milliken): the inspection that found mold hiding above a 1980s attic

1The Problem

The attic held about 7 inches of aged material — but the bigger issue was overhead. Sections of the soffit intake were blocked, meaning the attic couldn’t breathe, and stagnant moist air had started leaving its signature on the sheathing: the early stages of mold.

2What the Inspection Found

Blocked soffits are the quiet killer of Markham attics this age: insulation gets pushed into the eaves over the years, airflow dies, and moisture that should vent away instead condenses on cold wood. The inspection photographed the blockages bay by bay so the homeowner could see exactly why the mold was forming — and why just adding insulation would have made it worse.

3How We Fixed It

The job was sequenced so the cause was fixed before the symptom:

• Treated the affected sheathing with our mold protocol and protective sealant
• Cleared and baffled the soffit bays to restore intake airflow
• Air-sealed the ceiling penetrations below
• Topped the attic up to the R-60 standard with fresh blown fiberglass

4The Result

The airflow is back, the staining is treated and sealed against regrowth, and the insulation finally matches the standard. Caught at the inspection stage — not after a winter of ice dams made it obvious. 10-year workmanship warranty.