If you are in the market for a new home, it is likely true that crawlspace and attic inspections are not even on your radar. Details Home Inspections is excited for you to start your new life in a new space, which is why we pay extra attention to these areas, so you don't have to.
Your trusted home inspectors in Vancouver WA want to make sure that the attic and crawlspace are not overlooked because these areas often reflect the history of the home. They can provide clues to serious problems underneath the surface that might not be disclosed or even known by the current owner of the home.
When we inspect an attic here are a few things we are looking for:
Supporting Truss or Rafter Damage: A roof inspection won't necessarily show the defects within the structure of the attic. The roof might look secure and sound, but inside the attic, it is possible to find broken trusses or rafters, showing the truth behind its condition.
Previous Fire Damage Noted in Attic Inspection: In some cases, the inspector will find that that the rafters are a color other than natural wood, which may tell you that the home sustained a fire at some point. In the case where the wood is black or scorched, a major fire likely occurred in the home.
Adequate or Inadequate Attic Insulation: Your inspector may find that your new home is inadequately insulated. If this is the case, it could lead to higher heating and cooling costs. This might be a major factor in whether or not you want to purchase the home. Alternately, he may find that the attic is well insulated and that is also important information to have at hand when making these decisions.
Water Damage: Having water damage in your attic can be expensive to fix. Since water flows from the top down, inspectors will look for staining on the wood supports or on the walls. This would be evidence that water has leaked or is currently leaking through the roof.
Chimney Access to the Attic: Since you cannot inspect the interior of the chimney from the attic, your inspector will make a note regarding whether or not the structure itself is solid. To determine if the chimney is deteriorating from the weather, your inspector will look for cracks in the bricks and also whether or not the mortar has started to crumble.
Squirrel, Raccoon, and Rodent Damage in the Attic: If your home is infested with squirrels, raccoons, or rodents, the first sign will be the telltale evidence of tiny poop pellets left behind. These animals will often enter attics through the eaves or loose boards and can cause considerable damage to a home.
When inspecting your crawlspace, your inspector will look for some of the above situations, but also consider the following:
o Visible or burrowing Termites
o Damp insulation, condensation, warped or cracked materials
o Mold or mildew
o Wiring or plumbing problems
o Cracks, settling or shifting in the foundation
o Damage to the wooden supports of the door framing
o Presence of pests, vermin, and other animals
o Sufficient ventilation
o Quality and presence of vapor barriers
These are just some of the things that a good home inspector will look for when inspecting your attic and crawlspace, and the things they are looking for in these areas often go hand in hand.
At Details Home Inspections, we know that every home is different, and also to expect the unexpected. Our main goal is to provide you with all of the knowledge you need to make a well-informed decision about purchasing a new home.
Check us out on Facebook or contact us today to find out what to expect from your home inspectors in Vancouver WA and let us put your mind at ease!