Home Inspection Twin Cities | Attic Inspector 612-913-7898
As one of the last steps of the home buying process, you’ll need to have a home inspection. This inspection reveals any flaws and defects that will need attention before the closing papers are signed. One area home buyers should consider when getting a home inspection is an attic inspection. An attic inspection will give you a much more complete picture of the home’s condition.
When an attic inspection is performed, the certified inspector is primarily concerned with these five areas:
- Insulation- Because insulation is exposed in the attic, this is the best place to evaluate the insulation. Good insulation is important to your home’s energy efficiency, helping it stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Without proper insulation, you can end up losing out on your energy bills. Insulation can reveal other things too, like signs of water damage or pest insulation. With an attic inspection, you’ll know whether the insulation is adequate or if more needs to be added or if it needs to be replaced.
- Framing- The attic is also the best place to get a picture of the condition of your home’s framework overall, and a better idea of the condition your roof is in. With an attic inspection, it’s especially good to find out if supporting trusses or rafters have any damage like stress cracks. It’s in the attic where an inspector can better tell if leaks are present, especially if there is sunlight shining through the roof. Dark or scorched rafters could indicate the home was damaged by a fire at some point. If furnaces are located in the attic the inspector will check for any damage or potential problems.
- Ventilation- When a home has adequate ventilation it will remove moisture and heat from the home. Poor ventilation can lead to problems like heat build up in the attic, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer on hot summer days. When there is severe winter weather in the winter with ice and snow, a poor ventilation can cause icicles to form in the attic. Any kind of moisture build up in the attic or elsewhere can pose all sorts of problems from mold and mildew growth to leaks. If you have a fireplace, the inspector will check the chimney when inside the attic. Though the interior of the chimney can’t be checked in the attic, the chimney can can still show signs of wear and aging, such as cracks in the bricks or crumbling mortar.
- Presence of pests- If during an attic inspection the inspector spots droppings or sees signs of nesting, the home has an animal or pest problem. From squirrels to raccoons, possums, mice and rats, animal of all types often get inside through the eaves or loose boards and take up residence in the attic. Any animals nesting in the attic can cause considerable damage. They can gnaw through insulation or chew up wiring, putting the home at risk of fire. Other pests such as termites can wreak havoc to wood. If there are signs of termites in the attic, a termite inspection throughout the house may be in order.
If you are selling your home and want to make sure buyers get no surprises later on, you will want a attic inspection before you go to market. No matter what kind of inspection you receive from Home Inspection Twin Cities, we will provide you with a detailed, easy to read report, along with photos of trouble spots to help you assess problems and address them accordingly. We make sure to keep you updated and informed throughout the whole process. You can also expect a 24-hour turnaround on the inspection report.
Home Inspection Twin Cities | Home Inspector 612-913-7898