Jane and Pedro loved their renovated Victorian within walking distance to shops and an independent movie theater. But a dark and unknown territory lurked overhead: the attic. The only access was a small panel in the guest bedroom closet that required a ladder to reach. Odd sounds drifted from above in the wee hours: shuffling, tapping and occasional dripping. The new homeowners didn’t believe in ghosts but they were unsettled nonetheless.
“We hear this often,” says Brian Rigsby, President of Paul Davis of the Tri-State Area. “Customers aren’t confident about going into the attic to find out what’s going on. That makes sense: attics can be difficult to access and dangerous to enter if you’re not informed and careful.”
There is a way to safely make the trip, he says. Take time to prepare and plan, then enter and inspect methodically. And, he emphasizes, stop and call for help at any point.
- Prepare. Don protective gear that includes long clothing, sturdy shoes, gloves and a mask. Cover your head, too. Attics are famous for exposed roofing nails – called “ringers” by construction workers – that cause scrapes or puncture wounds. If your home is older, consider a professional inspection to guard against asbestos, unsafe footing or unstable areas.
STOP: Do you feel safe proceeding at this point? If yes, continue below. If not, stop here and call Paul Davis or a qualified professional for help.
- Plan entry. Ensure lighting is adequate. If the attic is not well-lit, wear a headlamp. Carefully survey the attic from the access point. Beware of exposed wiring and a surface that lacks floorboards. If flooring is missing, joists provide the only reliable footing, which requires excellent balance.
STOP: Do you feel safe proceeding at this point? If yes, continue below. If not, stop here and call Paul Davis or a qualified professional for help.
- Enter. Note any strong smells or odors. Attics may concentrate air pollutants rising from the home below, for example. Old, cracked chimneys may allow fire gasses to infiltrate the space. Sewer gas may escape from the many vent pipes passing through the attic and piercing the roof. Further, people often use attics to store old paint or other chemicals that degrade over time, particularly in a space that experiences large temperature variations.
STOP: Do you feel safe proceeding at this point? If yes, continue below. If not, stop here and call Paul Davis or a qualified professional for help.
- Inspect. Avoid disturbing insulation; fiberglass is irritating to skin, eyes and lungs. Beware of insects or animals, which adore an enclosed, protected and undisturbed space. Note issues:
- Water staining
- Wetness or moisture
- Gaps in soffits, around vent pipes, in eaves, under roofing surfaces
- Mold growth and/or odors
- Air leaks and drafts
- Dislodged insulation
- Unstable, sagging, dislodged or rotting materials
- Infestations: rodents, insects, birds, bats, ants and snakes favor attics
The Victorian house owners quickly uncovered the source of the odd noises: two raccoons cozily raising the next generation of kits. They also noted a small leak around a plumbing vent pipe, which explained the periodic dripping sounds.
After visits from an animal control company and a roofer, quiet reigned from above. “Attics are worth inspecting and maintaining,” Rigsby says. “They are important structural elements of your house and there are too many potential issues to ignore this space. If you’re not comfortable with a DIY foray, give us a call.”