Maintaining Your Attic and Crawlspace
There are two places in a home that are the most frequently ignored, the attic and the crawlspace. Both provide crucial barriers from the outside elements and drastically increase the comfort of your home. Unfortunately, they can become the perfect location to harbor all kinds of pests and wildlife. While we may not notice the damage pests create right away, the issue is compounding and will leave your home with significant deficiencies if not addressed promptly.
The most common damage found in attics and crawlspaces are holes chewed through the exterior, significant insulation disruption, damage to vapor barriers and biological hazards such as feces/urine. You may also experience damage to electrical wiring and water pipes. As you can imagine the longer the animal remains, the more severe the damage becomes.
Here are three step you can take to make sure that an animal intrusion doesn’t go unnoticed:
Once a month walk all the way around your house, check high and low, look for signs of disturbed dirt and damage or dark streaks on your siding. Keep an eye on corners and crawlspace vents, which are typical entry points for animals. If you have a complex roof or a lot of dormers, look closely at the intersection where the two roofs meet for signs of activity. Once you’ve done this visual inspection a few times, it will become easier to notice when there is potential wildlife activity.
Every six months take a powerful flashlight and look around your attic and crawlspace. If it is not very accessible, do your best from the entrance to scan with your flashlight. You’re looking for disturbed insulation, animal droppings, urine puddles on the floor and dark streaks on your wood framing.
Resist the urge to store things in your attic and crawlspace. Boxes and bags will only add to the already hospitable environment for mice, rats and other rodents. It also will conceal your vision, making it harder to assess if there are issues.
If you would like assistance performing a home inspection give us a call at (336) 915-7373. Our team is licensed by the NC Home Inspection Licensing Board in addition to our wildlife control licensing through the NC Wildlife Resource Commission. We offer annual inspection programs that include a full report on the status of your home and any suggested improvements to help prevent animals from entering.
