Taking a close look at your attic can tell you a number of things about your home. Here is why it is important to do a regular check of the attic and what things you should look for in your inspection.
Water Damage
With water damage, a small problem can quickly turn into a large problem. Beside the hazard of mold, an ongoing water breach can affect the structure of your home. The roof is often where water enters your home, even if it isn’t apparent in a ceiling leak. That is because water can enter the roof and run down the walls. Pipes can be another source of water damage, as condensation forms around them leading to wood rot.
Look for obvious drips, but also for any dark staining of the wood in your attic.
Rodent Damage
Do you have critters living in your attic that are nibbling at your support structure, leaving bacteria that can cause disease and even finding their way down to the rest of the house? The attic is a favorite spot for mice, rats, squirrels and even raccoons. They can get in through the eaves, through loose boards and sometimes through ventilation grates that are damaged.
Rodents will chew through insulation, wires and and even plastic, causing fire hazards and other health hazards from exposed insulation.
The first sign that you have rodents are the little pellets that they defecate.
The State of the Chimney
In many houses, part of the chimney structure can be seen in the attic. Since this part of the chimney is not exposed to the elements, it is a good indicator of the general state of the chimney. Are there any cracks or or crumbling mortar? If so, if might be a good idea to have the entire chimney professional inspected to make sure it is sound and in good shape.