Every homeowner knows all too well the stages of wondering what to do with their attic: cautiously exploring, ambitiously attempting to make use of it, and ultimately giving up and deciding to pretend that it isn’t even there. Maybe it’s spooky, maybe it’s a mess, or maybe it’s just a massive pain in the butt to get up into.
Whichever excuse your using, it’s time to face the facts – we can’t ignore our attics forever.
To prove why, we’ve put together a list of the top 5 things every homeowner should know about their attic – you’ll thank us later.
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Attics Are A Great Place For Your Furnace
Most houses have their furnaces in the basement or in a designated “utility closet” on the main floor, but most homeowner’s don’t realize that there is another space in their house that can be a great option – the attic.
Of course the attic can be a hassle to get in and out of the one or two time’s a year you actually need to service the furnace, but there are many advantages to combat this slight inconvenience.
- Having the furnace in the attic affords you additional usable space in your basement or on your main floor – space you can utilize for more living space, more storage space, etc.
- Having your furnace in the attic means the ducts running from the attic to the upper and main levels of the house will be shorter – shorter distances for the heat to travel equates to less heat loss, meaning an attic furnace is actually more efficient.
- An attic is a great option if you are expanding the size of your home and require a second furnace – rather than having to rearrange your current utility space to accommodate room for a new furnace you can simply place the new one in the attic.
Just note, there are a number of regulations that must be met when placing your furnace in the attic – safety first!
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Attics Are Also A Great Place For Mould and Pests
Mould and pests are two things you don’t want to find in your attic, but that can be quite common.
Even the smallest of leaks in your roof after a heavy rain or long, snowy, winter can result in trapped moisture in your attic. This moisture causes mould, which can damage the structure of your roof and attic as well as causing allergens that can be hazardous to your health. The best way to combat this is to keep your roof, especially the shingles, in good condition.
In addition to mould, you can also often find rats, bats, raccoons, and a variety of other little critters making themselves at home in your attic. For small critters, you can usually trap and release them yourselves, for the bigger one’s you may want to enlist the help of a professional. But remember – use humane methods of removal only!
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Attic Insulation Is Crucial For Keeping Your Home Comfortable and Healthy
And it ensures your attic is performing as efficiently as possible – which also saves you money!
It’s easy to check if your attic is properly insulated – if you see bare spots along the walls or ceiling, or the insulation that is there looks thin, worn out, or damaged (especially water damage), you may want to have a professional come in and touch the insulation up.
There are a few options for insulation, such as loose fill insulation or blanket insulation, and the newer option, spray foam polyurethane. Of course, each option has their pros and cons, which will depend on factors such as your budget and what you intend to use the attic for.
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Your Attic Is Incredibly Important To The Structure Of Your Home
Things that may appear to be small issues can easily be due to larger problems that are out of sight. If you notice any leaks or cracks, it is best to have them checked out as soon as possible.
While these may be isolated to the attic and be easily repaired, they may also indicate more substantial problems such as cracks in the foundation of your home or even a variety of other structural issues.
The longer issues like these go unnoticed, the more expensive they will be to repair and the more hazardous they become to the integrity of your home – don’t hesitate to call a professional, even if the problem you have found seems minor, because it may not be.
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You Should Check Your Attic Every 3-6 Months
As you can see, there are many different problems that can arise within your attic. In order to catch these problems before they grow out of hand, professionals recommend you inspect your attic every 3 to 6 months.
By inspecting your attic regularly, you should be able to keep your problems to a minimum and only have to worry about regular maintenance. This will save you time and money, keep you safe, and keep you sane – a few minutes of your time every few months seem worth that!
Is there anything else you think homeowners should know about their attics? Share below!
References
- https://www.checkthishouse.com/6209/attic-furnace-platform-installation-requirements.html
- http://www.rwwestinspections.com/guide-attic-maintenance/10748/
- https://www.hunker.com/13408474/why-put-a-furnace-in-a-houses-attic
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