At one time the attic in our home was used as a place to store old junk – or hide away from our parents and read The Neverending Story. Nowadays, this space is often forgotten about and neglected, left to the forgotten webs of time and nature’s creepy crawlies. Perhaps if they were actually full of flowers we may venture forth in search of hidden treasure maps. Unfortunately, it’s quite possible that we have only the movies to blame for our neglect of these often sinister corners of our home, but let me assure you, they’re not as sinister as our imaginations make them to be. In fact, routine inspections and maintenance of this space is important to the longevity and safety of your home.

The attic acts as the last line of defense, the barrier between your roof and your home, meaning venturing up there at least once a season is a vital part of proper home maintenance and may save a lot of time and money if you were to catch something before it became a real issue. Let’s explore some of the few things we should be looking out for.

Creaks and Cracks

For more than just the obvious scare factor reasons, it’s important to enter the attic in the daylight. This is a necessary step when searching for any cracks in the roof, which the daylight may easily be streaming through. Take advantage of that daylight and seal up those cracks right away to help keep moisture and other unwanted creatures out.

As you’re moving around up there be sure to keep your ears tuned for any creaks. This may indicate a number of other issues which may need to be looked into such as moisture which may have caused some boards to warp, or they may be just the symptoms to much bigger issues like foundational or structural issues, stress and deterioration of load baring walls, or even decay of wood and fabrication materials in the attic itself. If you spot something and you’re unsure what’s causing it, be sure to bring in a professional for a closer inspection.

Water

This process may require you summon up your best Indiana Jones impersonation. With a flashlight, inspect all the tiny spaces which are hard to see. If you did have some cracks, make sure you check out the surrounding area carefully. Look for any signs of moisture or residue which could indicate there was once some moisture or water which could cause mold or mildew to grow. If you do find some, take the necessary steps to clean up and seal the area accordingly to prevent any further issues.

Fans and Vents

A lot of attics house fans and vents which circulate air throughout the entire house. Make sure to inspect the belt and blades of each fan, look for signs of dry rot which can occur due to extreme temperature changes and often high levels of moisture. Ensuring your fans are in good working order can save a lot of time, money and hassle when cooling an excessively warm house and circulating air to prevent moisture accumulation which could lead to mold growth.

Creepy Crawlies

If you go into your attic and experience the movie The Birds, or that scene in Temple of Doom where Kate Capshaw’s character walks through the bug tunnel, then you have a bigger issue than you think. However, there’s no avoiding the fact that you’re probably going to find a few creepy crawlies, if you don’t see any of their little bodies, keep your eyes on the lookout for droppings. If you do find some, no need to panic, but it’s definitely important that depending on the type of creepy crawly that you take the appropriate action to deter them, as they have a tendency to expand into other areas of the home.

Insulation

Lastly, replace any insulation that shows signs of mold or mildew growth. In unfinished attics, insulation should be level with the floorboards and joists. Any more or less than this amount is said to drastically change the effectiveness of a home’s heating and cooling system. If you do have a completed space, remove an electric outlet if possible to check the levels using a flashlight or tape measure, gently prodding what’s inside to ensure the insulation’s presence. Please note: when performing this inspection one MUST ensure any electric charge has been disbanded before proceeding.

*And remember, if at any time you are unsure about what you should be looking for or feel that the area is unsafe call in a professional. They may not be Indian Jones, but they’ll get the job done right.