What To Expect When A Home Inspector Goes In The Attic
During the home inspection process, the home inspector will do an examination of the attic in the home. Here are five areas of the attic that will be inspected.
1. Access To Attic – When the attic access has been found, the home inspector will report on the condition of the attic door and the attic ladder. The home inspector will also report on whether the attic ladder works properly and is safe to operate.
2. Insulation – Inside the attic the home inspector will document the kind of insulation present and the approximate depth of the insulation. Insulation comes in various forms, the two most popular being roll fiberglass or blown insulation. The home inspector will also determine if the insulation is relatively even or if bare spots exist. Covered attic areas will be documented as not visible.
Ventilation – Most attics will have a two ventilation points. The types of ventilation points are soffit, gable, ridge, and roof vents. Below is an explanation of the vent types.
Soffit vents are found under the eaves of the home. These vents should be free of insulation to prevent blockage. Baffles should be installed to maintain the free space between the vent and the insulation.
Gable vents are placed inside the exterior wall directly under the eaves on the gable roof. Screens are installed to prevent any birds or bats from nesting inside the attic.
Ridge vents are a continuous vent varying in length and located at the top of the ridge. Ridge vents are common in hip roof configurations.
Roof vents and fans are through the roof vent systems where a hole is cut into the roof sheathing between the rafters. These vents are commonly found on the rear of the house for cosmetic purposes.
The two sources of ventilation should be from two different sources. For example, a gable roof will likely have both gable and soffit vents. A hip roof will likely have ridge and soffit vents. Complicated roof configurations will likely have multiple vent sources.
4. Structure – The home inspector will examine the framing and roof sheathing to be sure they are installed correctly with not broken, cut or missing boards or braces.
5. Leaks – The home inspector will examine all the valleys and roof penetrations for signs of roof leaks like staining, wet wood, etc.
There are some limitations to the attic inspection. Any area that has head room of less than three feet does not have to be inspected. In addition, the home inspector is not required to inspect an area with hazardous materials.
Hubert Miles is a Home Inspector in South Carolina and the owner of Patriot Home Inspections. If you are searching for a Myrtle Beach Home Inspection see what Patriot Home Inspections can offer you.