How often do you inspect your attic? Do you perform a routine inspection of the area? If you do not conduct an occasional look-over of your attic, you are in good company, as many homeowners don’t. Simply because they lack the understanding of how important examining the attic space is.
Without checking out this area on a regular basis or routine attic cleaning, you may have a contaminated attic on your hands without knowing it, which can result in damage to your home and present health hazards to you and your family. You may ask yourself how can the space above our ceiling be such a danger?
Check out the following three ways your attic can be contaminated and what you can do about it.
1. Asbestos
Although your attic may have ample insulation, chances are if your insulation was installed prior to the early 1990s it contains asbestos. If disturbed, asbestos can breakdown causing microscopic fibers to be released into the air, which are easily inhaled and can negatively impact a person’s lungs.
A few serious and potentially fatal diseases linked to asbestos inhalation are lung cancer and mesothelioma. If you suspect you have a contaminated attic with asbestos it is crucial you notify a professional decontamination service as asbestos removal is dangerous and must be completed appropriately.
2. Rodents
Certainly you know that mice can and will take up residency in an attic. However, they aren’t the only rodents you need to be watching out for as rats and squirrels also enjoy making themselves comfortable in an attic space. In addition to the destruction these rodents can cause such as chewed up electrical wiring, rodents leave behind up to 75 droppings per day that can hazardous to your health.
According to the CDC, there are over 30 different types of diseases associated with rodents including the following which are directly transmitted by rodents; Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Salmonellosis and Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCM). Proper cleaning of your contaminated attic will help ensure you and your family’s health.
3. Mold
Whether it be a leaky roof, inadequate attic ventilation, ice dams, missing or improperly installed insulation or vents in the attic can cause mold to grow in the attic of a home. As with asbestos and rodents, mold can produce significant health issues in those who inhale mold spores. Those conditions include respiratory infection/illness, allergic reactions, and a weakened immune system among others. Unfortunately, once in your contaminated attic mold spores can travel throughout your house, leaving mold to grow in other living areas of your home. A professional inspection can determine if your attic is harboring mold spores or is at risk of growing mold.
Now that we have identified three main attic contaminants, you may be wondering how to rid your home of these dangers. Upon inspection of your attic, a customized attic decontamination plan will be generated. Depending on the inspection results of your contaminated attic, some of the major components of a decontamination process may include:
- Bagging and removal of all contaminated insulation.
- Removal of any droppings
- Disinfection of the area
- Rodent proofing
- Re-insulation
Attic Inspection and Construction
If you do not routinely maintain your attic space it is essential you contact an expert for a free attic inspection. Our team at Attic Construction is skilled in rodent decontamination and proofing, removal of old insulation, air duct repairs, new insulation, cleanup or repairs and more. Â