The attic is an essential part of home inspection. It should be done with proper diligence. It is mainly because the roof of the house is an expensive part to renovate. Attic shows beneath the roof. Hence, it needs proper care. Whether you are using pink insulation or any other material, you need to invest some time in inspecting it. However, the question is which are the factors you need to check up on?
Leaks or water damage — It is the major problem of any roof. You may find that there is dampness beneath the roof, for example, water stains or mold growth. This requires immediate replacement.
You also need to inspect in detail the underlayment around the vents or chimneys. Even skylights and other related areas may have penetration. To check the wood, poke it with a sharp object. You can see if it has become soft or not. There is a moisture meter also available to find if water which you cannot see.
Insulation is not up to the mark— It is not always enough to have insulation. It may happen that the pink insulation has become obsolete and requires replacement. It is found mainly in homes of the 90s. Over the years, these insulations do not protect the house much from outdoors.
It means during winter heat does not penetrate through the roof. Also, during summer A/C may have to run overtime as the roof becomes too hot. Hence, the energy gets wasted.
Check the presence of Infestation — Critters like Mice, rats, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, birds, and bugs love to make attic their home. They want warmth and hence make shelter here. For the nest, these critters use the insulation. You can check if these infestations are thereby observing nesting materials or droppings. If the roof nearby has trees, these critters can easily enter into attics.
Ventilation should be proper— There can be early rotting till the roof decking if ventilation is not done correctly. There are chances of more heat if this is not proper. Why? Attics require good quality insulation and cross breeze. If ventilation is not proper, heat would penetrate the roof. It will not come out of the attic. Thus, during the winter, snow over the roof will start melting. This will later form ice dams at the eaves. There are chances of mold creation too. It is better to check attic vents. This is to find if the attic is blocked by debris or any rodent nest.
Other damage — One should also check out for fire or structural damage. There may be cracks in the chimney brickwork too.
You should always carry a powerful flashlight, gloves, a dust mask, a moisture meter, an infrared camera, safety goggles, and phone while performing the inspection.
