Do Home Inspectors Go Into Attics

In most cases the answer is yes.

Do home inspectors go into attics. Remember one of the biggest complaints against home inspectors is missed roof leaks. 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. Or the homeowner might have a bureau placed in front of an attic door. 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.

For example a past renovation might seal up an attic access panel in the ceiling entirely. One place that we don t often go to that a home inspector will go to is the attic. 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. 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.

An attic reflects the history of a home. So are home inspectors really expected to shimmy inside. If they aren t inspectors are not required to gain entry by heroic means. A home inspector can t.

Once a seller accepts the buyer s offer it s time for the home inspection. 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. Another thing the home inspector can do is go into the attic and give a thorough visual check without causing damage. It s important to know who s living in your home before you sign papers at the closing table.

An attic where there s moisture build up is enticing to these pests. Attic inspections aren t usually foremost on a homebuyer s mind but there are a lot of good reasons for them to get up there or send their home inspector to take a look around. As with any other part of a home inspection attics must be accessible. 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.

Your home inspector can identify termite infestations and the existence of other wildlife in your attic. 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.