While your attic may not be the most exciting feature in your house, it’s an essential part of every home inspection. According to the professionals at Zeller Home Inspections, a division of Z&H Enterprises in Lincoln, NE, several issues can be identified in the attic that can have an adverse impact on the overall value of the home. Therefore, this area of the home should always be a major point of interest for home inspectors.

Below are three important inputs that inspection professionals will seek out in the attic.

1. Structural Weakness & Incident Damage

Structural elements of an attic keep the roof over your head intact and can be quite costly to replace or repair if issues are identified. During a home inspection, an inspector will look for signs of rot, insect damage, or deterioration, as well as obvious design flaws that could cause issues in the future. Simultaneously, inspectors look for prior fire or water damage, as lumber is often marked by signs of past traumas. Addressing all of this early can save you time and money later, and if you’re looking to buy a home it can significantly lower the actual value of the property if not addressed.

2. Insulation & Ventilation

Though it may seem simple, there are many quality levels and standards regarding the various types of insulation. A home inspector will assess the overall condition and depth of the insulation given the specific conditions of each home, e.g. size of home, circulation of air through the attic space, type of insulation in use, etc. Insulation material may need to be added or replaced if the insulation is found to be deteriorated or there is excessive loss/compression of the insulation materials. In addition, air vents may need to be added or adjusted if air flow through the attic space is considered inadequate.  Poor ventilation can result in damp air conditions or excessive heat build-up and early deterioration of roofing materials. Fortunately, neither of these fixes are very difficult, but it’s important to address them early on.

3. Existence of or Potential for Mold

Attics can be a perfect place for mold formation/growth and can go undetected for years, since homeowners seldom or never have a need to go into the attic areas.

Given that attic spaces are warm to hot during most months of the year, only the addition of moisture is needed for mold to grow. There are two conditions that an inspector looks for that can result in the attic areas becoming damp. First, bathroom fans and dryers venting into the attic space can result in humid conditions. It is, therefore, important to have both bathroom fans and dryers vent to the exterior of the home. Second, inadequate ventilation can result in the lack of proper air circulation and humid air being trapped in the attic space.

If you need someone to take a look at your attic, contact the professionals at Zeller Home Inspections, a division of Z&H Enterprises. They have over 10 years of experience and will conduct a thorough assessment of your property. Call (402) 742-5806 today to schedule a consultation, and visit the website to learn about their HVAC inspection services and radon tests.