Today’s homes have many different ways to ventilate the attic area. These vents must be located, identified, and examined for adequacy. The inspection should reveal if there are any signs of high moisture or condensation because of lack of ventilation. Also, plumbing vents are inspected to determine proper penetration through the roof and to confirm the flashing doesn’t leak. If there is a leak, the proper remedy should not include pots and buckets to catch the rain. One time I even found a little blue “kiddy pool” sitting in the attic. If the attic hadn’t been inspected, no one would have known the roof leaked.
The type of insulation is determined and the average thickness is estimated. Insulation is checked for dampness to determine if there is any leakage, and the vapor barrier if there is any, is located. The vapor barrier should always be against the warm side of the house.
The attic area may contain the heating and cooling units. Many times I find ductwork that has been stepped on or crushed which leads to improper heating and cooling of the upper floors. Electrical components are also checked for sizing and safety hazards.
Your question was a good one. There are many surprises that can await you in that dark, hard to get to a place called the attic. Freeloaders like mice, squirrels, and raccoons can cause a lot of havoc. One time I found a dead squirrel in the attic. He had electrocuted himself by getting into an open junction box. Bad for him. Real bad for the family living with a potential fire hazard. Homes have great stories to tell when you look and listen. What is your attic saying?
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