One of the first things homeowners should look at during attic cleaning is the insulation. If there is any damage from water infiltration or rodent infestations, it’s important to have the damaged repaired as quickly as possible. For starters, old or damaged insulation can have a significant – and negative – impact on utility bills.
Why is proper attic ventilation important?
Proper attic ventilation is a critical component of a healthy home. Airflow through the attic space helps to regulate temperature inside the house, and reduces moisture that could lead to mold, damaged roof shingles, and ice dams.
Does finishing your attic increase the value of your home?
Finishing your attic can add space and utility and increase the value of your home, as long as it's done properly. When done without proper planning or adherence to local building codes, it can actually reduce the value of your home or stall a sale. Here are some must-do tips to follow when finishing your attic.
Why should you consider an attic bump out?
That’s because they require structural modifications. But an attic bump out is also the most cost-efficient way gain maximum usable space. Plus, a bump out is a great way to add windows, and that gets you more natural light and fresh air. Check out these very cool attic spaces.
Should I Fix my attic moisture problem before selling my home?
It’s definitely a fixable issue that protects your investment in the home; the goal is to leave the attic in a state that’s desirable (no visible mold) to the homeowner and future home buyers. Visible mold isn’t desirable to anyone! (#1) Identify and repair the attic moisture problem (s).
Is redoing attic insulation worth it?
Installing attic insulation this winter is a worthwhile long-term investment because it can significantly decrease your heating bills. As an added benefit, when the hot D.C. temperatures come back, the attic insulation will also minimize your air conditioning bills.
Does attic insulation really help?
Insulating your attic lowers the cost of cooling and heating your house. This is because heat travels. It moves out of your home in the winter and flows into your home in the summer. Proper attic insulation reduces this airflow so you don't use as much energy to heat and cool your home.
Is air sealing the attic worth it?
Is air sealing worth it? Yes. Getting your home air sealed is a worthwhile investment—one that pays off in energy efficiency, comfort, and your home's value. According to Energy Star, the EPA estimates savings of 15% on heating and cooling costs by properly air sealing and adding insulation.
Does attic mold remediation work?
Once the moisture source is identified and resolved and the mold professionally and successfully remediated, mold growth should not recur. Remediation involves several steps in an attic and will not be considered successful until remediated wood has been tested and visually inspected.
How much money can you save by insulating your attic?
And it's quieter, too." The EPA estimates that the average homeowner can save 15% on heating and cooling costs (11% of total energy costs) by adding insulation in attics, crawl spaces, and basement rim joists. For most folks, that's about $200 in savings per year.
How often should attic insulation be replaced?
every 15 to 20 yearsAs a general rule, insulation should be replaced or retrofitted every 15 to 20 years. However, it may need replacing or retrofitting sooner depending on the type of insulation installed, the R rating of the original insulation, compression and movement over time, and whether any damage has occurred.
How much does it cost to seal attic?
How much does it cost? The cost of this project can vary depending on the size of your attic and how complicated it is to insulate various spaces within. Typically, air sealing and insulating an attic can cost between $1,000 and $4,500, with the majority of projects falling into the middle of that range.
Is air sealing more important than insulation?
insulation, which is the better choice for energy efficiency? Between air sealing and insulation, the former is more important for energy efficiency. Air sealing repairs air leakage points and is usually done before insulation is installed. Both methods in tandem can make your home even greener.
Should an attic be vented?
Your attic needs at least 1 square foot of ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic space. That means the typical ratio of attic area to attic ventilation is 300-to-1. Half of your ventilation should be exhaust vents, and half should be intake vents.
Is mold in attic common?
Mold in attics is very common and can usually be dealt with quickly and effectively. No need to panic and treat your home as if it's uninhabitable and beyond repair. Attic mold is caused by moisture and mildew issues.
Is attic mold a big deal?
Occupants also need to ascertain if there is any possible way that the spores can access the living areas of the house from the attic. Although attic mold is typically not a huge health issue, it does represent possible dangers and excessive costs if not dealt with immediately.
How do I know if I have mold in my attic?
Even if your attic is well lit, bring a flashlight so you can see clearly in dimmer areas. The most obvious sign of mold is a discoloration on the walls, floor, ceiling, piping, or other item in the room. Even old boxes and books that have gotten wet can sprout mold, but these items can easily be thrown away outside.
How long does it take for mold to appear in sheetrock?
Under the right conditions, mold can present within twenty four (24) hours of a moisture event; yes, twenty four (24) hours! Identify the source (s) of elevated moisture, make necessary repairs, remove/remediate any visible mold and you should be good to go (mold stained sheetrock is typically replaced).
What happens if your attic is tan?
If the attic is tan colored in the future, it will be obvious on future inspections that the issue has been satisfactorily addressed. If it’s tan , you’re good to go. If it becomes stained black or white, there’s still some work to be done. Some mold remediation companies warrant their work for a period of time.
Why do mold spores not have wings?
It’s due to the simple fact that warm air rises; in a house, this phenomenon is known as “Stack Effect.”. Air rises from the lower levels of the home and up through the attic. Mold spores don’t have wings, e.g., they can’t “fly” against an upward flow of air from stack effect within a house, so it’s extraordinarily rare for attic mold spores ...
Can mold grow in attic?
Attic mold, left unchecked, can grow and lead to structural deterioration of attic sheathing and roof structural elements. There’s an underlying moisture issue that needs to be resolved because mold requires moisture to grow and spread. Mold in attics is scary to most would-be buyers and homeowners; mold staining in attics is an issue ...
Is mold in attic a problem?
Mold in attics is scary to most would-be buyers and homeowners; mold staining in attics is an issue that will come up each and every time the home is inspected into the future. And, the longer one waits to address it, the more expensive repairs and remediation become.
Do you need to pay for mold inspection?
If you can see mold, it’s likely mold. In my opinion, you don’t need to pay for an expensive mold inspection. There’s a source of moisture that needs to be addressed and the mold removed or remediated by a qualified professional.
Is there visible mold in the attic?
It’s definitely a fixable issue that protects your investment in the home; the goal is to leave the attic in a state that’s desirable (no visible mold) to the homeowner and future home buyers. Visible mold isn’t desirable to anyone!
Can a rodent enter an attic?
If you have an older home, there are likely air leaks in the attic. During warmer weather, these air leaks can cause moisture condensation inside the attic, which can damage any exposed wood framing elements and the underlayment of your roof. Also, rodents that run along power lines or across tree branches can enter your home through small holes in the attic, so attic sealing is an essential step in rodent proofing your home.
What to do after a thorough cleaning?
After completing a thorough cleaning, it comes time to sort and organize all of your personal items. Once you’ve identified what you want to keep and what you want to discard, be sure to follow these organization guidelines:
Can vents be controlled by a fan?
Though this may seem to contradict the advice above, attic vents are different than holes or leaks. Vents are typically covered with wire mesh to prevent rodents from entering, and ventilation can be controlled by means of an attic fan. At the very least, have your attic care professional make sure that the air ducts from your HVAC system and your bathroom and kitchen vent fans are routed completely outside, and do not simply ventilate all that moist air into the attic.
Is it a good time to clean the attic?
Homeowner's Guide to Attic Maintenance. Attic cleaning may not be your idea of a good time. But dust, mold, and allergens can start to nest in this often-neglected room if periodic cleaning is not established. Which is why hiring a seasoned professional is the best route to both clean an attic and to take the dirty work off your hands.
Why is my attic black?
Dark black staining on wood surfaces — If the wood in your attic shows any black discoloration, the problem has moved beyond moisture; you have mold that should be removed. Attic feels excessively hot or stuffy — Attics should feel breezy if they are properly ventilated.
Why is there mold in my attic?
Attic mold is caused by moisture issues. If your attic is well ventilated and has no moisture intrusion, you won’t have attic mold to deal with. And while it will cost some money to take care of it, know that it can be taken care of, quickly and at a reasonable cost. Your local mold professional can help. Good luck!
What causes a roof to rot?
Mold problems are indications of water problems. Water and mold problems in the attic can deteriorate wood in the roof sheathing, joists, etc. and eventually cause wood rot and reducing the life of your roof. At some point, you will probably need to go to your attic for something. Perhaps you use it for storage.
What does it mean when your attic is wet?
Wet insulation in the attic — Not only is this a sign that you may (or soon will) have a mold problem, but when insulation gets damp or wet its ability to insulate becomes significantly diminished, costing you extra money to heat/cool your home.
What happens if you ignore mold in your attic?
If you ignore a mold problem in your attic, do not expect the next buyer of your house to do the same when it will inevitably be discovered during the home inspection. Home sellers take a major risk of buyers walking away if mold is discovered.
What is the most common area of mold?
Attics are one of the most common areas of mold growth in the home. Attics tend to have the perfect conditions for mold growth (hot, humid, and an abundant food source with the wood sheathing). Furthermore, most homeowners don’t ever go up in their attic, so the mold problem is allowed to grow undisturbed – often for years!
How does the air in an attic vent work?
Attics usually have a passive ventilation system in which outside air comes in through the soffit/eave vents at the bottom, warms up in the attic, and escapes through the can or ridge vents at the top (because hot air rises). That cycle creates a nice, breezy airflow and a well-ventilated attic. See this illustration:
How do attic vents work?
Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises, primarily utilizing two types of vents: 1 Intake vents, located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves, allow cool air to enter the attic. 2 Hot air exhaust vents, located at the peak of the roof, allow hot air to escape.
How many sq ft of venting in attic?
In order to facilitate this exchange of warm and cool air, the general rule of thumb suggests installing at least 1 s q. ft. of vent for every 300 s q. ft. of attic floor. Building codes vary, though, ...
Why insulate your attic?
At first glance, it can seem counter-intuitive: You insulate your home to reduce temperature fluctuations and save on utility bills, but then you allow fresh air to flow through the attic no matter the time of year. The science behind attic ventilation, however, is sound. Sealed attics trap excessive heat and moisture, ...
Where are vents on a gable roof?
Houses with gable roofs may also have vents located on the side of the house as high as possible within the peak of the gable. Whether round, triangular, or rectangular, these gable vents can be painted to match either the siding or the trim work so that they add to rather than detract from the home’s exterior.
Can you heat an attic without venting?
With square-foot living space at a premium, many homeowners turn to their attics for a little extra room. When the attic becomes part of the home to be heated and cooled, open-wall gable vents and roof vents are no longer feasible, but the underside of the roof (the sheathing and rafters) can still get blazing hot without airflow.
Can wind enter through vent?
When there is wind flowing perpendicular to the roof and of sufficient speed, it can enter through the opening; however, winds that are too light or not flowing directly at the vent’s entrance will do little work to cool down the space. Advertisement.
How far apart should joists be in an attic?
Beyond the size of joists, the spacing between them should also be taken into consideration. Standard joist spacing for the installation of attic flooring materials is 16 inches on center (OC), meaning the distance from the center of one joist to the center of the next joist is 16 inches. Joists in attics that were never intended for ...
How low can a ceiling be from the floor?
While local codes vary, many communities will not permit the ceiling in a finished living area (attics included) to be lower than 6’ 8” to 7’6” from the floor. That doesn’t mean you can’t use the attic areas where the sloped ceiling is lower; that space just won’t count toward your home’s official living space.
Do you have to install attic flooring?
Attic flooring intended for a living space must be installed in compliance with building codes. Some communities will allow homeowners to do their own construction, but they are still subject to all inspections required by the building authority.
Can joists be modified in attic?
If your home wasn’t designed to support a future attic conversion, not only will the joist system require modification, an engineer may require additional vertical reinforcement installed in the floor (s) below the attic to support the new attic weight .
Do you need joist reinforcement for a house?
Houses that have been constructed with the idea of finishing out a future living space in the attic will not require joist reinforcement nor additional vertical reinforcement.
Can you convert an attic to a living space?
Even if permitted by your community, converting an attic to a living space is a complex project that most homeowners are not prepared to tackle. It involves installing outlets, switches, and (potentially) water-supply lines and drainage pipes if a bathroom will be added.
Why vent attic in winter?
3. Roof Vents Remove Warm Air during the Winter. Too many people believe that because heat rises, ventilating an attic space during the winter means you’re releasing warm air and creating a drag on your heating efficiency.
How much ventilation is needed for an attic?
Generally speaking, you need a ratio of 1:300, where for every 300 square feet of ceiling space, you need 1 square foot of attic ventilation. That said, air resistance and interference (such as vent grates) reduces the area of true ventilation. In other words, the entire vent opening doesn’t count as vented space.
What is the best ventilation system for a roof?
While hardly anybody agrees on the best roof ventilation system, everybody agrees some roof vents do hardly any good at all. Take, for example, ridge vents. The majority of roofing experts agree that ridge vents are the most effective and cost-effective roof vents available. Without baffles (blinders that prevent outside air from crossing over the vent), a ridge vent may create almost no ventilation at all. Gable vents may circulate air through only a small percentage of your attic. Static, roof-line, vents are effective for ventilation but generally aren’t recommended due to issues with leaks. Soffit vents may leave air trapped at the top of your attic. Most effective ventilation uses a ridge-and-soffit continuous ventilation system, but even these designs can vary from roof to roof.
Why is roof ventilation important?
2. Roof Vents are for Warmer Climates. Too many people believe the importance of roof ventilation is to increase energy efficiency during the summer. Good roof ventilation can do this, but shingle color, sun exposure and insulation are exponentially more important to overall energy efficiency than ventilation.
Can a furnace be used in the attic?
Unless your roofing system has insulation on the roofing deck and is designed without ventilation, your furnace should not be heating your attic. Worse yet, inadequate insulation is almost surely allowing moisture-laden air into your attic.
Can you install an unvented roof in colder climates?
In order to install an unvented roofing system in colder climates, you’ll need highly rated, rigid insulation to prevent condensation on your roof sheathing. In warmer climates, you don’t need to worry about condensation.
Can too much ventilation cause leaks?
Insufficient ventilation can lead to moisture problems during the winter and decreased energy efficiency during the summer but too much ventilation can be just as bad, if not worse. Roof vents create an additional roof penetration, essentially another place of vulnerability where leaks can occur.
What type of vents are used in attic?
Options for attic ventilation. According to Gregory, there are two types of exhaust vents for attics—static and powered. A static vent is basically a hole strategically placed to allow warm air to escape. They include ridge vents, that run along the length of the roof ridge, box-style cap vents, or turbine vents.
Why is ventilation important in the attic?
Proper attic ventilation is a critical component of a healthy home. Airflow through the attic space helps to regulate temperature inside the house, and reduces moisture that could lead to mold, damaged roof shingles, and ice dams.
How to tell if your attic is venting?
A few signs include: Excessively warm living areas caused by the heat having no place to go. Moisture or frost in your attic during the winter.
What is a ridge vent?
They include ridge vents, that run along the length of the roof ridge, box-style cap vents, or turbine vents. A powered vent includes a fan. Intake vents include those in the soffits and those in the gables. Gable vents can act as both intake and exhaust, depending on the wind direction and speed.
How much does a ridge vent cost?
According to the home services company HomeAdvisor, ridge vents run $2 to $3 per linear foot, not including installation. The vents come in 4-foot sections sold singly or by the case of 10. On average, adding a ridge vent to your home costs about $400 to $500 total.
Where are soffit vents located?
Located at the lowest part of the roof , soffit vents allow cooler air to enter the attic space. Running the length of the home, soffit vents allow for more air circulation than gable vents which are only on the ends of the attic. Cons. Most effective when used with a ridge vent.
How much does it cost to install a solar vent?
According to HomeAdvisor, an electric-powered vent costs $100 to 400 and a solar-powered vent costs $200 to 500 with installation running from $135 to $300 per vent. Pros. More expensive models may include thermostats and hydrostats you can set to come on at a certain temperature or humidity level.
