When is the last time you have been up in your attic?
If your answer is never, you may want to take a peek! The attic is one of the most important parts of your home and could be hiding a number of different problems, for example: inadequate insulation & ventilation, bad wiring and vermin intrusion…just to name a few. Checking your attic should be part of your regular home maintenance inspection.
Lets take a look at some of the common problems:
Ventilation & Insulation: There should be ample air movement in your attic. The goal is to have the same temperature and humidity as the exterior air while striking the correct balance of ventilation and insulation. There are a couple things to keep in mind while trying to find this balance. You need to have enough vents and make sure they are not covered with ventilation – this is a common problem! If your vents are covered with insulation – they can’t do their job! Mike Holmes from Holmes on Holmes says it doesn’t matter if your vents are soffit, gable or ridge vents – just as long as they are open! The fans and lighting in your home can also affect the heat in your attic. Make sure your fans are working properly and use LED or CFL lights – which give off less heat. High levels of heat and access moisture can not only be a safety concern but create problems with mould.
Wiring: Having bad wiring or exposed junction boxes is a very common problem which can raise fire hazard concerns. Because attics are typically open and unused space – it is easy for trade workers to run wires for new projects. This can lead to junction boxes being left open or buried in insulation.
Vermin Intrusion: Roof Rats? No thank you! Rats will chew through everything and anything can get their paws on. Here is a site that offers 6 different tips on how to keep creepy crawlers out of your attic.
Make sure to contact someone who is qualified to help you out with any issues or concerns you may have with your attic.
