A thorough inspection of a home’s attic before winter should be a mandatory addition to the roof inspection. Failure to check both the roof and attic during an inspection only reveals half of the true integrity of the roofing system. In addition, taking the time to inspect the attic will not only assist in detecting leaks caused by failing flashing from the exterior but equally important, may uncover interior issues that may lead to major problems in the cold winter months.
As a follow up piece on our Homeowner Guide: How To Inspect Your Roof Before Winter, this article will guide you through adding the attic to a pre-winter inspection.
Tips Before Inspecting The Attic
If exploring the attic is as foreign to you as the visiting Antarctica, here are a few tips before climbing in for the inspection:
- Choose time for inspection wisely: On a hot summer afternoon, temperatures in the attic can exceed 150 degrees Fahrenheit and cut short even the most well intended effort. For this reason both roof and attic inspections are best scheduled in the cooler months of fall or spring. Also, hours earlier in the day are ideal, as the attic has cooled throughout the evening.
- Make sure there is safe flooring or walkways installed in the attic, as it’s not uncommon for the attic to have none. If there aren’t established walkways, either call an inspector, your roofer or be extremely careful. One wrong step between joists could land you in the kitchen.
- Bring a flashlight.
What To Look For During An Attic Inspection
Now that we’ve ventured into the attic, what exactly does one inspect?
- Check the underside of the roof for water stains or mold.
- Inspect the roof rafters for any cracking or damage.
- Look closely at where the chimney protrudes the roof as well as where any pipes or vents that sticks through the rooftop. Check for water stains, mold, or daylight poking through. These could be signs of a failing boot or flashing.
- Check to make sure that the attic insulation is properly installed throughout. Warm air leaking into the attic during the cold winter months is the primary cause for most ice dams that form.
- Inspect the nails protruding through the roof decking. Rusty nail tips or stains around the nails, are a sign of high moisture levels inside the attic that may be caused by either improper insulation or…
- Poor attic ventilation. Make sure that any stored items in the attic are not restricting airflow from the eave intakes to the vents on the roof. Poor attic ventilation can lead to high moisture levels building up inside the attic and are a contributing factor to the formation of ice dams.
- Lastly, check for signs of pests in the attic. Any pests looking for a warm winter hideout can disrupt insulation, ruin stored items, and be a health hazard for the home’s occupants.
