Often, attics are out of sight, out of mind. But they shouldn’t be. Attics help keep your home energy efficient, temperature-regulated, and safe.
Hidden dangers like pests and mold could be lurking in your attic without you even knowing. Here’s what you need to know to prevent expensive or dangerous damage to your home.
ATTIC INSPECTIONS: WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Annual homeowner inspections are all about doing what you can to catch safety and maintenance issues early on to prevent them from becoming bigger issues later, Jon Brunner, Construction Manager at Paul Davis of Northeast Indiana, says.
Often, it doesn’t require an industry professional to be able to find issues. Brunner recommends doing a routine attic inspection at least twice a year in the spring and fall, before drastic weather changes. It’s also a good idea to inspect your attic after severe weather like heavy rain or snow.
“When in doubt, schedule a home or attic inspection,” Brunner says. “On average, these can run anywhere between $250 to $500, depending on who you call and the detail of the inspection.”
HOW TO FIND WHAT MIGHT GO UNNOTICED
Once you get to your attic, look out for common issues that often go unnoticed, like structural damage, signs of pests, water and storm damage, and poor ventilation.
For structural dangers, look at your rafter or truss system, inspect for rotted or delaminated decking materials, and keep your eyes peeled for cracked or damaged components, Brunner says.
Some of the pests that enjoy the isolation and warmth of attics are racoons, bats, birds, and bugs. To find them, listen for unusual noises coming from your attic and search for droppings, nests, and damage to wiring and entry areas.
Next, check for water and storm damage and signs of poor ventilation. Look for water staining, rotted materials, wet insulation, and mold or mildew.
“It can be easy enough to identify something obvious like water staining or a damaged board, but in attics you have to be attentive to hidden or dark and hard to get to areas such as electrical lines running through the insulation or even mold because it loves the dark and damp areas with no ventilation,” Brunner says.
If your attic is excessively hot during warm months, that’s a clear sign of poor ventilation. High energy bills should raise a red flag, too, so check your attic’s temperature if your bills change drastically.
HOW AND WHY TO PREVENT HIDDEN DANGERS IN YOUR ATTIC
Prevention instead of remediation should be your priority.
“The first step is awareness, which is always solidified by action,” Brunner says.
This can be as easy as marking your calendar or setting a reminder for inspections, he says.
“Attic issues can drastically affect the overall safety of a home, especially if left unattended over a long period of time,” Brunner says. “This can range from structural compromises, extensive water damage, fire, animal and insect infestation, and even personal health considerations if we’re speaking of mold and microbial growth.”
WHEN TO CALL PAUL DAVIS OF NORTHEAST INDIANA
At Paul Davis of Northeast Indiana, we’re a full-service restoration company. That means we can assist with water, fire, mold, biohazards, and construction.
“Well,” Brunner says. “Maybe don’t call us if the issue is bats, birds, or bugs. There are many other companies that specialize in that, but we would be more than happy to help you correct any damage they may have caused after they are gone.”
If you need restoration help, call the Difference Makers and Paul Davis Restoration of Northeast Indiana at 260-436-7510 to speak with a restoration specialist.
