Attics are supposed to be convenient storage spaces for all those old boxes you no longer want, old clothes, books, toys, and all sorts of other junk you accumulate in the course of living your life. But what if this part of your home is letting you down? What if it just keeps creating problems for you, costing you a fortune?
Well, if that sounds like your situation, this post can help. It runs through what you can do when your attic lets you down and how you can make lasting home improvements.
Check For Leaks
The first and most obvious thing to do is to check for leaks. Gaps in any of the materials that make up your attic can (and do) lead to problems down the road, particularly energy loss and moisture damage.
Usually, you can’t see leaks through simple observation. However, you might be able and to feel their effects.
For example, you could see or smell evidence of mold buildup in the attic. If it is musty every time you go up there, that’s a sure sign that water is getting in somehow and pooling.
You can also sit there and wait for a draft, particularly on a windy day. If you feel the air moving, that’s another sign that you have a problem. Just check that it isn’t coming from the rest of your home below.
Upgrade Your Ventilation
Another tactic is to get your roofing company to upgrade your ventilation. Sorting this out prevents moisture issues from developing and keeps the air flowing.
High-quality ventilation systems shouldn’t produce a draft. Instead, they should act more like air exchanges, removing saturated humid air and letting less moist atmosphere pour in from outside, all while limiting the rate at which you lose heat from your home (it’s a tight balance).
Ideally, you want soffit vents. These are probably the state-of-the-art and the most effective way to keep modern homes dry. Then there are gable vents, which are often easier to set up and have a lower risk of pest infestation.
Use A Radiant Barrier
You can also try using a radiant barrier to prevent your attic from getting too hot. These have a reflective surface that forces infrared to bounce back into space.
Don’t underestimate the importance of these barriers. Attics can often heat up significantly more than the rest of your home, thanks to how sunlight hits your roof and the general observation that heat rises. If temperatures rise to more than, say, 30°C, then the objects you are keeping in storage are at risk. Things like oils and rubbers can start to degrade at high heat, leading to damage that could be challenging to repair.
Again, installing a radiant barrier on your property requires the help of experts. You need to put these elements above the rafters but below the outer roofing material for best results, and that may require special tools and fixing equipment.
Install A Fan
Another approach is to install an attic fan to pull hot air from the attic during the summer. These devices are especially helpful if your attic is prone to extreme heat (say, if you live in the south).
Fan installation is cheap. Usually, you just drill a suitable-sized hole in the masonry, core it out, and then install the product. Be careful not to damage any structural elements. The installation should be similar to adding a regular bathroom fan.
Fans are particularly vital if you want to convert the attic into a bedroom. Sometimes, mere insulation alone isn’t enough to keep the temperature comfortable without air conditioning.
Go For Regular Maintenance
You might also want to work with a roofing company to provide your attic with regular maintenance. Dealing with problems earlier rather than later is an excellent policy.
Maintenance deals with several issues at once, including:
- Missing roofing tiles
- Pest infestations
- Mold treatment
- Damaged insulation
- Signs of general wear and tear
Once you have a proper maintenance timetable in place, say every couple of years, it makes it less likely you’ll encounter issues. The best roofers always look to resolve the root of the problem, regardless of the issues they face.
Improve Your Insulation
Finally, you can prevent your attic from letting you down by improving your insulation. Keeping more warmth in the home improves efficiency and reduces your bills.
Cellulose is now becoming one of the most popular insulation options. It keeps cold air inside during the summer, and keeps it out in the winter, allowing you to live in a variable climate.
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