Why Should Buyers Have a Home Inspection? Attic Adventures
|
Attics Home buyers do not usually venture into attics, unless it
has a stairway for easy access. Attics are often dusty, dirty, difficult to
navigate, and are hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Attics are
critical to inspect, because they often illuminate other defects. For
example, when walking on the roof, the roof may appear fine. From inside the
attic, however, subtle water leaks may be visible. The roof sheathing (the
wood deck that the shingles are nailed to) may be damaged. The trusses or
rafters may be damaged. The insulation may be inadequate or sections of it
may be missing entirely. Poor insulation may cause snow to melt, and then
refreeze when it runs down to the colder un-insulated edge of the roof. This
thawing and freezing may eventually create a dam of ice at the edge of the
roof that causes newly-melted snow to back-up and leak through the seams of
the shingles and into the attic and eventually damaging the finished ceilings
of the living spaces. |
|
SERVICES
Landscaping/Nurseries |
|
|
Inspecting an attic
requires a ladder, flashlight and a dust mask. Gloves are sometimes necessary
to protect against splinters. The little hatchways into attics are called
scuttles. They are often found in the ceilings of closets, and they are often
difficult to pass through, especially if you weigh 275 pounds! Once in the
attic, the inspector will walk, waddle or crawl to all parts of the attic. He
will be careful to walk only on the truss bottoms and not on the dry wall or
plaster, because these ceiling materials will not support much weight. Attics
must be ventilated to allow moist air to leave, or mildew will be promoted.
The ventilation openings must be screened so our feathered friends can't
enter. In many homes, attic fans (controlled by attic thermostats) are used.
The inspector adjusts the thermostat so the fan turns on. Most newer homes
have ridge vents at the peaks of the roof to let air out. The fresh air
enters through vents in the soffits. Attic wiring is inspected.
The trusses or rafters are inspected for broken or cracked members. Water
stains, damaged sheathing, and evidence of damaged roofing felt are
looked-for. Plumbing vents and flues come through the attic, so they are
inspected. Chimneys are inspected. Sometimes one of these things is broken or
leaking, allowing gases into the attic and eventually the house. Furnaces and
air handlers for air conditioners are often in the attic, so they must be
inspected, too. ©2000, 2001, 2002 Quarry-Pyramid, Inc. |
|