Have You Been in Your Attic Lately? No Really.
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There’s a Nigerian proverb that goes, “He who lives in the attic knows where the roof leaks.”
I think it’s meant to teach us that the one who lives in a place can be an expert on it. I bring this up because if your attic is out of sight-out of mind, then you might not know when your freaking roof is leaking.
Unless you have one of those great attics you can walk around in and use as an actual room or storage space, most people never go up if they can avoid it. Some people can’t access their attics safely at all. But if you don’t (or can’t) go up there on occasion, you may not know “where the roof leaks” or what the heck else might be going on up there.
There’s a lot of important home functionality in the attic, and it more than stands to reason you need to check on it now and again. Here are a few reasons why:
Your Roof Is Literally Leaking
Roof leaks can be subtle. It just doesn’t always look like water pouring in through a hole. These rusty nails suggest a more gradual type of leak, but these guys can still cause major damage over time.
Critters Making a Home
That was one aggressive critter!
Now, this issue is multi-tiered. First, you have the problem of the tree being too close to the house, which just invites critters and termites, as well as storm damage. So that tree needs to be cut back at least.
Next, you have the damage that’s been done to the roof decking that needs to be patched before you get leaks and more critters. And finally, you need to determine if you have an infestation.
Attic Steam Room
@greenscenehome Never skip the #atticinspection – you never know what surprises may be lurking up there undiscovered. #askahomeinspector #homeinspection #homeinspector ♬ original sound – Green Scene Home Inspections
This might not seem like that big of a deal until you consider that the bathroom vent delivering hot, moist air into the attic is going to make it like a big wet steam room. And what loves to grow in warm, wet places? Mold! You could have a whole biosphere growing up there in no time, and it will cost a pretty penny to remediate.
It pays to pay attention to what’s happening upstairs. These little issues can get out of control quickly, and before you know it, you’re trying to sell your house and a home inspector is letting you know you have some big, expensive repair you didn’t know you needed. Don’t be that guy. Go hang out in the attic this weekend and check things out.
