Do Home Inspectors Go Into Attics

While it might be possible for a slim 20 year old to wiggle between truss cords and ducts in a low attic most home inspectors are neither young or trim.

Do home inspectors go into attics.

It s important to know who s living in your home before you sign papers at the closing table. Remember one of the biggest complaints against home inspectors is missed roof leaks. One place that we don t often go to that a home inspector will go to is the attic. While the inspector performs the attic inspection note the condition of storage areas and attic floors look for damaged floorboards and again look for evidence of water pest and fire damage.

Basically the idea is to alert the buyer of any safety issues defects and problems in need of immediate attention. Most people don t make a habit of going up into their attic and so they have no idea what is going on up there. One very common inspection red flag is improper venting of bathroom fans into the attic and not extending the vent all the way through the roof. Your home inspector can identify termite infestations and the existence of other wildlife in your attic.

For example a past renovation might seal up an attic access panel in the ceiling entirely. A home inspector can t. Since the attic like the crawlspace is a place the home owner rarely goes there may be problems in the attic that are not known to the occupants of the property. Home inspectors will check every part of the house that they can get to and the attic has several things they will be looking for.

Another thing the home inspector can do is go into the attic and give a thorough visual check without causing damage. So are home inspectors really expected to shimmy inside. Or the homeowner might have a bureau placed in front of an attic door. If they aren t inspectors are not required to gain entry by heroic means.

An attic where there s moisture build up is enticing to these pests. It can provide clues to serious problems that might not be disclosed or even known by the current owner. Attics in homes with a low roof pitch do not have sufficient height for an inspector to move around. An attic reflects the history of a home.

Once a seller accepts the buyer s offer it s time for the home inspection. If your home inspector can get into the attic without trampling insulation you can often learn a lot about the home and any renovations or repairs.