Owning a property with an attic can lead to all sorts of issues. But how do you solve them?
That is what we explore in this post. We look at some of the handy and helpful tactics you can use to get rid of the most common issues and make them right again. Here is what you need to know:
Poor Insulation
Your biggest attic problem is usually poor insulation. If heat is escaping from your home, most of it just goes out through the roof.
Attic insulation standards have changed significantly over the years. Previously, the standard was around six inches. However, that has grown to more like 18 inches with the most modern technology.
You also want to ensure that there are not gaps in the insulation. A lot of homeowners get into trouble because they leave holes, allowing warm air to escape around the insulation instead of being blocked by it.
No Ventilation
You also see a lot of attics running into ventilation issues. As a space, it should have some ventilation above the insulation to prevent moisture from building up.
The easiest way to fix this problem is to simply unblock the vents and allow the space to breathe. If you cannot do that, then get new vents fitted. A couple of holes in the wall with appropriate mesh should do the trick.
Poorly Placed HVAC Venting
Another problem is poorly-placed HVAC venting. A lot of builders will literally build this into the attic to keep it out of the way of the main home. But, of course, this creates a host of efficiency issues and makes the whole system work ten times harder.
The solution is to get heating and cooling services to come over and reroute the system in a way that’s more efficient. Usually, that means routing it more internally where heat variations aren’t as extreme.
Rodent Infestations
Attics, because of their location, are also prone to rodent infestations. Squirrels, pigeons and rats like to call it home because it provides them with much-needed safety from predators.
The easiest way to deal with these issues is to seal all the gaps in the attic. Make sure you check under the floorboards and create barriers that animals cannot chew or peck through. A lot of homeowners in this situation use various forms of mesh. They also trim nearby tree branches so animals cannot just hop onto the roof and get in that way.
Water Damage
Finally, attics are prone to water and roof damage. Unlike interior rooms, they are closer to the elements and more at-risk from them.
The source of the water leak will dictate the solution you need to adopt. For example, if the problem is flashing around the chimney, that is more likely to lead to a slow leak in a specific location. The same applies to leaky vents.
The pattern will be different for missing roofing materials. Shingles can sometimes break and lift, allowing water in, so you might see patches on the felt sheet on the interior, or pinholes of light.
