Winter is upon us and it’s time to inspect your attic. Maybe you’re planning on selling your home this Spring. Maybe you just got done cleaning your gutters and noticed some rotten facia board which has been providing entry points into the attic. Maybe an attic inspect is a normal thing for you and you just want to get some professional advice. Whatever the case, here are our recommendations for inspecting your attic.
Before we start, make sure you have the following tools:
- A ladder for access into the attic
- A mask or respirator
- A headlamp (not a flashlight)
- knee pads if needed
Rodent Activity
The first thing to look for is rodent activity. You should look around the attic for signs of droppings, urine, tunneling in the insulation, rub marks/chew marks, and any other indication of rodent activity. Birds and wildlife will make fairly similar signs. Once that has been found you will need to locate the entry points into the attic.
Entry Points
The most common entry points are rotten facia boards, broken vents, and hole in the corner of roofs (we call this the armpit of the roof). Behind the gutters is the facia board, and over time the facia board rots away leaving the attic exposed. Once the board is rotten it becomes an easy target for rodent entry. If you find this, make sure to call a gutter company to have them come replace the facia board as soon as possible. Next is the roof vents. I am referring to the square-ish vents the are usually found on the top section of the roof itself spaced along the house, although other vents can also be an issue. The inside screens of these vents are often made from cheap vinyl and are very easy targets for rodent entry. Lastly, the area where two roof pitches meet each other is a very common place for rodents to squeeze into the roof.
Remediation
Once you’ve gotten your entry points sealed up and are sure that you don’t have any further rodents in the attic it is time to remove the old insulation. Depending on how bad the infestation is, you can replace some or all of the insulation. Remove any soiled material and replace with a similar grade material. Note that it is important to use a trustworthy company, preferably that has experience with rodent exclusion, for attic remediation. Otherwise you risk them missing an entry point and having rodents come right back into your attic. Pest control companies will be able to locate all of the entry points and can give you peace of mind knowing that the job is done well.
That’s all there is to it! If you have any questions or comments regarding attic inspections please call or text us at 503-985-6523 or visit PestPatrolPDX.com