In our Frisco and McKinney home inspection work, most of the properties we examine have attics. These range from cramped garrets in tiny bungalows to enormous mansion lofts suitable for basketball. An attic inspection provides a good indication of the overall condition of the building. It contains most of key elements of the home – roof structure, insulation, ventilation, electrical, plumbing and HVAC.
Attic Inspection Priorities
Here are some of the key things we look for in our attic inspections:
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- Rafter or Truss Damage. Some older homes have bowed or split rafters. Newer houses commonly use trusses; and we occasionally find these are improperly installed, cracked or weakened by holes for electrical wiring or plumbing.
- Insulation and Ventilation. Most houses have fiberglass batts or blown cellulose insulation in the attic floor. Often this is not installed properly or has a low R-value. In some cases, insulation covers the soffit vents, preventing airflow.
- HVAC system. Most modern homes we inspect have the HVAC equipment in the attic. So clogged drains, inoperable ducting or electrical issues aren’t apparent to the homeowner until they cause a larger problem.
- Water Damage. The roof may look fine from the outside; but in the attic we can see light shining through or evidence of water penetration/damage. This is fairly common at roof-wall joints (due to improper flashing) and around chimneys or vents. A good attic inspection will also reveal water damage from water heaters or HVAC drain pan leaks/overflow.
- Pests. Squirrels, raccoons and bugs prefer to spend our cold winters in a heated home. Trees close to the house make it easy for them. And it doesn’t take a very big hole to let in a mouse or bird.
Importance of Attic Inspection in Home Purchase
Homebuyers in Northeast Dallas need prompt and thorough inspections to succeed in this competitive market. As soon as an offer is accepted, call us to schedule their inspection.
Advanced Inspection Service (972) 342-9183
Home Attic Inspections – Frisco, McKinney and Dallas
— Mike Martin, Certified Home Inspector