What's In Your Attic?

How many times a year do you climb into your attic? Probably not often — and that's exactly the problem. Your attic should be visually inspected at least once a year. It's a vital part of your home that tends to go overlooked, but it can tell you a lot about the overall health of your house. Here are the most common problems we find when we get up there.

Inadequate Insulation

Many homes simply don't have enough attic insulation, especially older ones. This causes uneven temperatures throughout the house and skyrocketing energy bills. If your home is under-insulated, adding attic insulation can reduce utility bills by as much as 30%, and it's one of the few home repairs that pays for itself over time.

Poor Ventilation

Attic ventilation is one of the most commonly overlooked parts of a home. Without balanced intake and exhaust airflow, heat and moisture build up under the roof. Over time that can shorten the life of your shingles, warp roof decking, and add enough moisture to encourage mold on framing and insulation.

Other Common Attic Problems We Find

• Air leakage around the attic access door or hatch — one of the largest sources of conditioned air loss between your living space and the attic
• Pests and animals getting in through gaps around vents, soffits, and rooflines, leaving droppings, chewed wiring, or nesting material behind
• Damaged, disconnected, or poorly insulated HVAC ductwork running through the attic, leaking conditioned air before it ever reaches your rooms
• Insulation that's been crushed, displaced, or thinned out from storage and foot traffic, losing much of its R-value
• Water stains or discoloration on the decking or framing, a sign of a roof leak that needs attention