🌫 Why Loft Mould Is So Common in Wigan Terraced Homes
If you live in a Wigan terrace, especially in areas like Ince, Scholes or Pemberton, you’re not alone if your loft space smells musty or shows signs of black mould.
Why? Because older terraced homes often suffer from a lack of proper ventilation, and when combined with modern living habits (dryer use, central heating, blocked vents), condensation rises — and collects in the coldest part of the house: the loft.
🔍 What Causes Mould in the Loft?
Mould in the roof space usually comes from:
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Blocked or missing soffit vents
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No ridge vents or tile vents for airflow
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Insulation pushed into eaves, blocking airflow
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High indoor humidity (e.g. from bathrooms)
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No whole-home ventilation system (e.g. PIV)
Once warm, moist air rises and hits cold timbers or felt, it condenses — causing mould to appear on:
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Underside of roof felt
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Rafters and purlins
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Joists and insulation
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Cold corners near dormers or eaves
🧪 What Does Loft Mould Look Like?
Signs include:
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Black dots on felt or insulation
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Discoloured timber
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Water droplets or damp insulation
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Musty odour
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Visible decay or softening of wood (in long-standing cases)
💨 How to Fix It: PIV, DMEV and Vent Upgrades
✅ Positive Input Ventilation (PIV)
Installed in your loft space, this gently introduces filtered air into your home, lowering humidity levels throughout the building — including the loft.
✅ Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (DMEV)
These are installed in bathrooms or kitchens and run continuously to extract humid air at the source, stopping it from reaching the loft.
✅ Roof Ventilation Upgrades
We inspect for blocked soffits or missing tile vents and add:
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Ridge vents
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Tile/slate vents
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Unblocked soffit trays
✅ Insulation Realignment
We ensure insulation doesn’t block airflow at eaves and can recommend breathable membranes if needed.
🛠 Our Approach
At Weather Wise, we carry out a full loft inspection and moisture assessment before recommending any intervention. We only install solutions that comply with Part F of the Building Regulations and are members of the Federation of Damp.
Whether you need better airflow or a full PIV/DMEV combo, we tailor the solution to your property type.
📞 Book a Loft Ventilation Survey in Wigan
https://weatherwiseuk.co.uk/pages/contact
FAQs
Will cleaning mould from the loft fix the issue?
Only temporarily. Unless you address the airflow and humidity problem, mould will return.
Do I need both PIV and DMEV?
Not always, but in properties with high humidity and poor loft ventilation, we often recommend both for full protection.
Can this cause structural issues?
If left untreated, yes. Long-term condensation can weaken timbers and lead to fungal decay.