What Is Included In An Attic Inspection?

Most Florida homeowners assume that everything is fine with their homes if they can’t see any apparent signs of damage or leaks on their roofs. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, as the area between the ceiling and the roof can develop problems in a heartbeat. 

To make matters worse, the attic area has a direct impact on your indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and overall roof integrity.

This is exactly why you should schedule a professional attic inspection on an annual basis. At the same time, many people are simply unfamiliar with attic inspections, what they entail, and how they can benefit from them. 

So, let’s take a look at why you should include an attic inspection as an integral part of your annual home maintenance routine. 

What Is An Attic Inspection?

As the name suggests, an attic inspection is a detailed examination of the attic area performed by a qualified professional. The main purpose of it is to determine the overall condition and health of the attic space in your home. 

What Do Inspectors Check During An Attic Inspection?

We previously mentioned how critical the attic is for the basic functioning of your home and its energy efficiency. This is why inspectors will keep a close eye on areas that directly affect these functions and may even recommend additional services if they discover any issues that need to be quickly addressed. 

The main points inspectors will check during the attic inspection include:

1. Vents

Most attics in the USA are vented, which basically means the attic isn’t air-conditioned. Rather, the air passively circulates with the outside air through the vents located on the exterior of the home. 

While in colder climates attic vents are installed to minimize damming, in hot climates like Florida, the ventilation allows the hot air accumulated in the attic to escape outside. 

The inspectors will check whether the vents are blocked and if there are enough of them installed in the attic. In addition, they may also confirm whether the air vents are installed in the right location to allow for optimum ventilation. Lastly, they’ll take a look at whether all vents are secure enough to prevent access to pests such as rodents.

2. Insulation

The quality of attic insulation plays a key role in the overall energy efficiency of your home. Thus, the inspector will ascertain its condition and whether insulation in your attic is sufficient to provide acceptable energy efficiency. 

Poor insulation can lead to increased attic temperatures in the summer, meaning your HVAC system will have to work a lot harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. This is why you should make it a top priority to examine whether the insulation in your attic is adequate. It isn’t that expensive and will pretty much pay for itself through increased energy savings you will experience. 

3. Pests And Rodents

Attics are dark and often damp, making them an attractive location for pests like rodents. Unfortunately, pests can introduce a wide variety of diseases to your home and may also cause damage that requires a small fortune to resolve. 

An attic inspection can help you stay on top of any infestations. Inspectors are trained to look for signs of rodents, and will closely inspect the insulation and any stored materials to confirm whether there is a hidden rodent infestation harming your home. 

The good news is that catching any pest infestation early can help you minimize the damage and ensure that any remediation services you have to schedule won’t cost as much - making an attic inspection one of the best ways to protect your home from pests. 

What Happens After An Attic Inspection?

The inspector will put together a report that includes their findings. They may go over the results of the inspection with you where they’ll explain each of the issues they found.

For instance, common issues found during the inspection include:

• Poorly sealed vents
• Clear evidence of a pest infestation
• Insufficient or damaged insulation
• Damaged air ducts

The inspector will advise you on the best methods of addressing them. Let’s say you have a rodent infestation - the inspector will confirm which species you’re dealing with and may even connect you with an affordable pest specialist and a contractor who can rodent-proof your attic. 

Can You Order An Attic Inspection When Purchasing A New Home?

You can. You can also argue it’s necessary to accurately judge the condition of the property. The regular home inspection is limited in scope and only checks the main systems of the home. 

At the same time, attics can provide you with a lot of information regarding the condition of the home. This means that an attic inspection is generally able to reveal serious defects that the seller may have failed to disclose in the listing or was simply unaware of. 

For example, defects in rafters or trusses may point to the fact that the seller failed to maintain their roof. An attic may also show fire damage or damage caused by termites and other pests. These issues require a lot of money to resolve and can negatively affect the value of the home. You can use this information to renegotiate the price or pull out of the deal at the right time - saving you time and money in the process. 

It’s Better To Be Safe Than Sorry

If you’ve never had an attic inspection, you’re not alone. Many homeowners fail to inspect their attic until the problem gets out of hand. By scheduling an inspection ASAP and taking the steps recommended by the inspector, you can sidestep any potential damage. 

You can also make any improvements that may make your home more energy efficient, which will positively reflect on your monthly utility bills. 

But who should you choose as your inspector?

Certified Inspectors is an excellent choice. With 30 years of experience in the business and all the necessary certifications, you can rest assured that the inspection we provide will check all the boxes and meet all the marks. After all, thousands of happy homeowners can’t lie!

Call (561) 570-6311 or fill out our contact form and book the most detailed attic inspection in the area.