5 Reasons Why You Should Have an Annual Attic Inspection

Attics are like the ugly stepchildren of homes. They’re usually not very aesthetically pleasing, and most people would just prefer to forget they existed entirely. Unless it’s store a bunch of junk, most people don’t even use their attics.

But neglecting your attic is a cardinal sin of homeownership. At the very least, your attic should get inspected at least once a year by a professional. Below, we’ll give you five great reasons why you should plan an attic inspection this year.

1. Check for Adequate Insulation

Do you like saving money? Who doesn’t! When it comes to keeping your home energy costs low, having adequate insulation in every room in your house is vital. A recent survey found that 90% of homes are under-insulated. Most of the time, a poorly insulated attic is the culprit.

So with an inspection from a company like Attic Insulation Labs, for example, you can find out of your home is suffering similarly. With this issues corrected, your heating and cooling costs will be drastically reduced.

2. Water Damage

Got a leaky roof? You really can’t be sure unless you check your attic. Attic inspection professionals can check for water damage by checking for staining and/or rot on the wood in your attic. If this is caught early, you could potentially save thousands in dollars in roof repair costs. If left unattended, wood rot could cause your entire attic to cave in.

Also, many homes’ furnaces are housed in the attics, which also need to be regularly inspected for rust and water damage.

3. Wildlife Infestation

There’s nothing rats and termites love more than attics. Both of these animals love to gnaw on the bare wood in your attic and leave poop and other residues behind. If left alone, these pests can cause severe structural damage to your home.

Luckily, an inspector can spot these critters immediately and nip this problem in the bud.

4. Rafter Damages

An exterior roof inspection is essential, but it only tells half the story. To really understand the health of your roof, inspectors have to go into your attic to look at your rafters and support trusses.

A good inspector will be able to spot stress fractures in your rafters and can tell you whether or they need to be repaired or replaced. If left unattended, these cracks could worsen, damaging the structural integrity of your roof.

5. Fire Damage

This reason is really for prospective home buyers but it’s still extremely important. Not all home sellers are honest, so you need to do a thorough inspection of the home you’re looking at.

Many house fires start in attics, so it’s the first place you should look for undisclosed damage. If you see any wood that looks black or sooty, it’s a telltale sign that there was once a fire in the home.

You Need More Than an Attic Inspection

Of course, to keep your home in tip-top shape, you need more than an attic inspection. If you’d like more tips on how to take care of your home, check out the Home and Garden section of our site.