Maintain Your Attic with These Tips from an Insulation Service in Petaluma, CA

November 7, 2017

Most residential homes have an attic that is used mainly for storage, but there’s so much more to your attic than that. If you look around up in your attic right now you will see that the floors, and oftentimes the walls, have a layer of insulation. You’ll also notice the wood making up the underside of the roof. The attic plays an important role in keeping your home warm or cool, so it’s a good idea to inspect its condition at the beginning of each new season, or anytime you suspect there may a problem.

Some attics are large, while others are more like crawlspaces. Whether big or small, you need to keep this area maintained and in good shape. That means problems need to be taken care of as soon as possible to ensure indoor comfort and to avoid costly repair bills. With this in mind, here are some tips for basic attic maintenance that every homeowner should know.

Make sure it’s insulated

The first step in making your home more energy efficient is to make sure your attic is properly insulated. Not only does the insulation material insulate the attic, it also preserves the condition of the roof. Before inspecting, dress in long sleeves and pants and wear gloves and a facemask to prevent contact with materials. Check that your attic floor is totally covered with insulation and see to it that bare spots get filled in. Keep in mind that, the older the insulation, the greater its chance at getting damaged, such as acquiring water stains, being compressed or simply falling apart.

If you are unsure of the condition of your insulation or think you could use more materials in some places, call your local insulation service in Petaluma, CA.

Repair cracks

Many homeowners don’t notice an attic leak until water starts coming into the house or exterior issues arise. It’s very common for attic leaks to originate from cracks in the roofing, which lets water drip in, or from water overflowing onto the roof due to clogged rain gutters, which causes pooling. Before the rainy season arrives, scan your attic during the daytime and look for streaks of light coming in through cracks and holes. Patch up damaged areas immediately to avoid bigger problems later on, or contact a professional to perform an inspection.

Keep mold away

A leaky roof is the number one cause of mold growth on attic insulation. Rain that gets in becomes trapped as moisture, leading to mold damage and allergen production. To prevent attic mold from taking hold, inspect the roof for damaged or missing shingles and cracks on the inside.

Look for signs of pests

Pests like rats, bats, birds, insects and other critters are known to take up residence in attics, using insulation and other available materials to make nests. If attic pests are not dealt with, they can pose a health risk and cause all sorts of costly damage.

Maintaining the attic area can improve your household’s comfort, safety and health. Contact the professionals at Ace Insulation Inc. to schedule an inspection or other insulation service in Petaluma, CA today!

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