Importance of Inspecting The Attic

An attic is a loft. It is an open space at the top of a house, just below the roof. It is usually used for storage, but can be put to other uses as well – such as a spare room. It is usually accessible by a staircase, but there can be other means as well, such as a drop down ladder and through the roof. The attic is a very important place when carrying out your interior home checking, while you are hunting for a new house. It is necessary to do so when you are considering buying a house.

As a prospective homebuyer, check and find that you have an easy access to the attic of the home. This is important if you intend to use it as a room, instead as a long-term storage space. You can check the condition of the roof structure, insulation, ventilation, and electrical wiring, etc in the attic. It is in the attic that your home inspector will check for signs of roof leakage and condensation, if any. Sometimes, it becomes difficult to inspect the attic due to minimal headspace and haphazard storage of personal items. But it must be done.



Checking for Insulation, Ventilation, and Leaks

It is important to check for installation of proper insulation. Insulation is installed on the attic walls and the ceiling. Check to see if the seller had periodically upgraded the insulation or not. There may be evidence of condensation in the attic. This is irrespective of the age of the house. The signs of past condensation are:

• Mildew staining which is black in color.
• Impressions of condensation drips in insulations under the roof
• Fungus on components of the roof
• Rot in wood roof structure due to heavy condensation.

It usually occurs during the colder months when the warm moist air escapes upwards into the attic from the warm interior of the house. As this warm moist air moves across the cold roof, it condenses. The dripping condensation is one of the causes of ceiling damage, and not only roof leakage, as sometimes mistakenly thought.

Bathroom exhaust fans are a source of condensation if they vent into the attic. They should vent directly outside. Check to see if there is proper arrangement of ventilation in the attic. Many homes have small windows in the attic for air circulation. This will reduce the risk of mold and mildew. Check to see if there are any leaks through the roof. If you see any light spots under the roof, it could be coming through worn shingles. These will need to be replaced.