Why Attic Decontamination is Important for Your Home and Health

Attic decontamination is an important component for ensuring that your home and everyone in it is happy and healthy. Many of us don’t think about the state of our attics until there is something wrong with it, but without regular check-ups and assessments, your attic has the potential to descend into a nightmarish state. When attics are not regularly maintained, they can become homes to pests, fungi and bacteria that can cause an abundance of problems for your health and home. Learn more about the importance of attic decontamination, signs you may need attic decontamination services, and why attic decontamination is beneficial for your health and home.

What is attic decontamination? 

Attic decontamination is the act of removing contaminants like fungi, bacteria, mold, dust, and mildew from the upper part of the home. It also removes the presence and traces of common pests. The activities and work related to attic decontamination depends on the state that the attic is in. It can include actions such as assessing the effectiveness of the insulation, removing old/contaminated insulation, removing junk and debris that has built up, removing a rodent infestation, rodent Proofing the attic, identifying a leaky roof, fixing the presence of mold, and dust/debris removal. Attic decontamination is essential for a healthy home that is free of toxins, allergens, and pests. 

How do I decontaminate my attic after a rodent infestation?

While we understand many homeowners love taking a DIY approach to their projects, attic decontamination is something that should only be done by a professional because if not done properly, it can actually be harmful to your health and home. 

At Attic Construction, our professional attic decontamination involves a 5 step process. First, we tape off and cover all exposed areas so no contaminates can spread to the rest of your home. We then bag and properly dispose of any insulation that has been contaminated. After that, any rodent droppings and remaining debris will be vacuumed up with commercial grade equipment that effectively removes the disease risk posed by their presence. The attic will then be thoroughly disinfected to eradicate allergens, bacteria, and parasites. Finally, it will be rodent-proofed and re-insulated as a preventative measure against additional rodent infestations. After all of these steps have been taken, your attic will return to its pre-contaminated state, giving you and your family great peace of mind and a clean attic space.

Why is attic decontamination important for your health and home? 

Attic decontamination offers many benefits for your health and home. If your attic is contaminated with pests or the presence of mold or mildew growth, it can harm the health of your family and home. When an attic is contaminated, the indoor air quality can be very poor and trigger respiratory illnesses such as asthma and allergies. Attic decontamination can reduce toxins and irritants in your home to create a healthy, safe environment. 

Additionally, the presence of mildew, mold, and moisture could affect the insulation and overall structural integrity of your home due to wood decay. This can cause a whole host of problems throughout your home, and for your wallet. Decontaminating your attic coupled with regular maintenance can ensure that your attic is always in top shape with little risk of damage from mold. 

Attic decontamination and the act of installing fresh insulation can also increase your home’s energy efficiency. If you have damaged or inadequate insulation, your HVAC system will have to work harder to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This will in turn reduce your maintenance costs and extend the life of your HVAC system. 

Does my home need attic decontamination? 

If your home is in need of attic decontamination the signs will be apparent. If you have a rodent infestation, you will notice signs in the form of rodent droppings, scratching sounds, bite marks on insulation, wires, or pipes, and unusual smells. As we’ve discussed before, rodent infestations can cause a whole host of problems in your attic that require decontamination and rodent proofing services.

If you need attic decontamination, you may also notice signs of mildew and mold. Attics tend to have higher humidity levels which creates the perfect breeding ground for fungi and bacteria. The presence of mold and mildew could also indicate that there is an untreated water leak in the roof or walls. If this is the case, you should not try to remove the mold yourself as it can be dangerous to your health if not done properly. 

Another sign that your attic is in need of decontamination services, is the accumulation of dirt and dust. Excessive dust can sometimes be a sign of a termite or rodent issue. Additionally, if you notice unpleasant odors in your home it could be originating in your attic from mold, mildew, water damage, deceased rodents, or wet insulation. 

If you notice any of these signs, you should call a construction professional that offers high quality attic decontamination services immediately to get the space evaluated. 

How often should an attic be cleaned? 

At Attic Construction, we love being proactive and love when our clients are proactive in their home maintenance. We recommend that you keep your attic in mind when doing annual home maintenance. If you assess your attic, it allows you to keep a close look for issues that need to be addressed before they detrimentally affect your home. One thing to note about attics that are clean and sealed from rodents is that they can actually remain untouched for about 10 years, yet we still recommend a basic check up. For attics that have not been sealed from rodents, here are some of our top attic maintenance tips: 

• Inspect your insulation for signs of damage 
• Inspect the house perimeter once a season including the attic, roof vents, and seal up any potential rodent entry points
• Keep an eye out for moisture and mold
• Check for signs of rodents and other pests 
• Vacuum and sweep to remove dust 
• Check for drafts coming into your space as this can indicate an issue with your sealant
• Make attic maintenance a regular part of your home maintenance schedule 
• Only request decontamination services if you see signs of pests – if you spray sanitation chemicals when your attic doesn’t need it, you could actually harm your insulation

Why should I get my attic decontaminated by a professional? 

The most important reason to get professional attic decontamination services is for your own safety. Many attics are tight spaces that feature low ceilings, making them difficult to navigate through posing a safety risk. You can also be exposed to harmful bacteria and toxins if you do not use proper protective equipment to avoid contact. Removing harmful contaminants requires specialized equipment that allows the material to be removed properly to minimize the risk of spreading contaminants. When you work with a professional, they have the experience, equipment, and skill to safely decontaminate your attic. 

How much does attic decontamination cost? 

The price for attic decontamination can vary in price based on various factors including the presence of pests and mold, the overall condition of the space, the size of the attic, and the extent to which the repairs are needed. 

At Attic Construction, we offer a free and thorough inspection of the space to make recommendations so you can make an informed decision on the best course of action for your space such as attic decontamination and cleaning services. We pride ourselves on offering high-quality services at low prices for attic decontamination for our Phoenix, Orange County, and San Diego customers. 

Written By Joseph Sheiner

Joseph Sheiner is a construction industry professional with over 15 years of experience. He began his career in the insulation industry in 2012, and co-founded Attic Construction Inc in 2013. As CEO of the company, Joe oversees all operations and is in charge of training and product knowledge.

Under Joe’s leadership, Attic Construction has become the largest leading Attic Restoration Company in San Diego, Orange County and Phoenix. He has personally performed and supervised insulation work in over 7000 homes. He is certified by Owens Corning as a CEE (Certified Energy Expert) and is a licensed contractor by the CSLB.
Most recently, Joe has helped expand Attic Construction to two additional locations – Orange County and Phoenix. He is currently working on expanding to additional locations in the near future.

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