Attic Inspections & A Checklist

If you haven't inspected your attic in a while, now is a great time of the year to complete this task. There can be many problems and issues lurking in your attic.

Here is a checklist of things to look for and check in your attic:

• Trusses and Roof Framing

  • Separation of metal side plates from wood at joints?

  • Broken wood members?

  • Moisture damage on wood?

  • Broken rafters?

  • Proper ridge board?

  • Any repairs look inadequate?

• Ventilation

  • Blocked soffit vents?

  • # of soffit vents adequate?

  • Ridge or roof vent quantity adequate?

  • Gable vents present? If yes, are screens adequate?

• Moisture Issues

  • Any visible moisture? If yes, from roof leak or condensation?

  • Any mold like substance?

• Fire Damage

  • Any signs of fire damage?

• Firewall issues

  • Are there firewalls in the attic?

  • Is the roof sheathing adjacent to the firewalls fire resistant?

  • Is there at least 4 feet between the firewall and the ridge vent?

  • Is there sufficient distance between sewer vent stacks and intake vents?

• Roof deck and gables

  • Visible holes through roof?

  • Visible holes/openings in gable

• Pipe/Flue Penetration boots

  • Any visible leaking around boots?

• Insulation

  • Type?

  • Thickness?

  • Any damage?

  • Present at all locations?

• Wildlife

  • Any evidence of wildlife entry?