Twelve Questions to Ask about an Attic
Professional Home Inspectors always ask these questions when inspecting an Attic
- INSULATION Is the attic properly and adequately insulated? Ten to fourteen inches is adequate for most situations in the Rochester area.
- VAPOR BARRIER Does existing insulation contain a vapor barrier? Vapor barriers should always face the heated side of a ceiling or wall.
- VENTILATION Is there proper and clear ventilation? High-low ventilation is the most desirable and the more insulation, the more beneficial it is.
- FAN Does the attic fan or power ventilator work? These items may not be necessary, and adequate ventilation may be more important, but if they are present they should operate properly. A safety shroud or some type of screening should protect the home’s occupants from the fan blades.
- DAMAGE Is there delaminating plywood or warped roofing boards? Cause of damage may be expansion of plywood, condensation, or poor workmanship.
- LEAKAGE Are there signs, especially around the chimney and plumbing vent stacks, of past or current roof leakage? Seventy percent of roof leaks occur at the flashings and valleys.
- INSULATED DUCTS Are air conditioning and heating ducts insulated? Ductwork in the attic loses a significant amount of its effectiveness due to extreme summer and winter temperatures.
- OPEN JOINTS Are there open joints in the ductwork? Air losses may negatively impact cooling and heating efficiency.
- VENT STACKS Do any plumbing vent stacks terminate in the attic? The vents will function, but they must vent above the roof to expel sewer odors.
- EXHAUST FANS Are exhaust fans from the kitchen or the bathrooms discharging in the attic? They will add moisture to the attic and may cause condensation concerns.
- ELECTRICAL Are there any open electrical junction boxes or improperly terminated electrical wiring? The electric fixtures may function properly, but they may be a safety issue.
- RAFTERS Are there any cracked, broken, or sagging sections of rafters or truss members? Reinforcement may not be urgent, but it is necessary.
There are many other questions to ask about the attic, but these are the most frequent concerns.
Chet Riley is the Owner/Proprietor of CENTENNIAL Home Inspections. For any questions regarding home inspections, please call Chet at 585-293-2278. Or e-mail him at criley1@rochester.rr.com. Further information can be obtained at http://www.centennialhomeinspections.com/.