A professional attic inspection is something that should be done on an annual basis for most homes. Unfortunately, many homeowners aren’t aware of what an attic inspection service is, what occurs during an inspection, and why they should bother having one done.Â
Let’s dive into why attic inspections should be a part of your regular home maintenance routine and what benefits a comprehensive professional attic inspection offers.
The Basics of Attic Inspections
During an attic inspection, a professional will come to your home, perform a comprehensive examination of your attic, and determine the overall health of your attic space. Since the attic is critical for your home’s air quality and energy efficiency, there are key areas that your inspector will pay attention to, including if you need attic cleanup and decontamination services. We’ll outline each in greater detail.
Checking Vents
Most homes built in the United States have vented attics. What this means is that the attic is outside of the conditioned space of your home. The air in your attic circulates passively with the air outside through vents around the perimeter of your home. In cold climates, attic vents reduce the likelihood of ice damming, which occurs when an attic is too warm causing snow to melt off the roof and refreeze in the gutters. In warm climates, attic ventilation allows hot air in the attic to vent to the outside.
Vents need to be free of any obstructions, are sufficient in number, and properly placed to allow for adequate air exchange. Additionally, attic vents need to be adequately secured to prevent rodent access. During an attic inspection, the inspector will assess each of your attic vents to ensure they meet these standards.
Assess Insulation
Do you have a sufficient amount of insulation in your attic? Is that insulation in good condition? These are two basic but critical questions that the attic inspection will yield. The state of your attic insulation is an incredibly important factor in how energy efficient your home is.Â
Homes with poorly insulated attics will get hotter during the summer and colder during the winter. Your HVAC system will have to work harder to maintain the temperature in the conditioned spaces of your home, which is just throwing money away. Conducting a thorough inspection of your attic is a top priority to ensure the insulation is sufficient, undamaged, and properly installed.
Check for Pests and Rodents
Every homeowner should ensure that their aren’t pests or rodents in the attic. Not only do those unwelcome residents bring a variety of diseases that can impact the health of those living in your home, but they can also cause extensive damage that leads to costly repairs down the line.
During a professional attic inspection, the inspector will check your attic for any signs of rodents. Common signs of a rodent problem include damaged insulation or stored materials, smells, and droppings. Catching a rodent problem in your attic early on is a great reason to schedule annual attic inspections and will surely save you money down the road on expensive repairs.
After the Inspection
Ok, so you had your inspection. Now what?Â
The inspector will go over the results of the inspection with you and specifically note any problems they may have found. Common problems found during attic inspections include:
- Damaged, blocked, or poorly sealed vents
- Evidence of rodents in your attic space
- Damaged, insufficient, or improperly installed insulation
- Damaged or leaking air ducts
If the inspector does find any of those problems, they’ll outline specific steps you can take to address them. For example, suppose an inspector finds evidence of rodents in your attic area. In that case, they will help you determine what types of rodents they see and make a recommendation that you have the rodents removed and your attic rodent proofed.
Rest assured that if you have your attic inspected by our team at Attic Construction, we will provide you with clear guidance for what was found and what the best options are. With that knowledge, you can decide about the best course of action for your home.
Closing Thoughts
Attic inspections will typically ensure adequate ventilation in the attic space and that any existing vents aren’t obstructed and sealed against rodents. Inspections will also look for any damage caused by water penetration from the roof or plumbing systems, search for any signs of rodents, and ensure that your insulation is sufficient and properly installed.
If you’re looking for “attic cleaning near me” or an annual inspection, contact us at Attic Construction today. With extensive experience inspecting and working in attics in the Southern California area, we’ll help you find any problems in your attic space and provide clear guidance on how you can address those issues. To learn more, contact us today!
Sources
- “Inspecting the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation & Interior” https://www.nachi.org/documents2012/Inspecting_the_Attic_Insulation_Ventilation_and_Interior-revd-Oct-2012.pdf
- “About Attic Ventilation” https://www.energystar.gov/campaign/seal_insulate/do_it_yourself_guide/about_attic_ventilation#:~:text=Rafter%20vents%20should%20be%20placed,edge%20of%20the%20attic%20floor
- “What to Expect During an Attic Inspection” https://www.angieslist.com/articles/what-expect-during-attic-inspection.htm#:~:text=When%20cooler%20weather%20arrives%2C%20many,like%20water%20damage%20or%20cracks