Attic Maintenance in the Winter: Everything You Need to Know
With winter weather just around the corner, it’s important to make your attic a regular part of your home maintenance this season. Attics can be a breeding ground for mild and mildew growth, unwanted pests and rodents, structural damage, and more during winter for a variety of seasons. This includes ice and snowmelt, condensation forming from the difference in indoor and outdoor temperatures, lack of adequate insulation, poor ventilation, and more. It’s best to keep an eye on your attic and roof the next few months to keep it properly maintained and free of moisture related issues. Here are some important elements of attic maintenance to know before winter is really here:
Insulation
Insulation is very important in attics. In addition to maintaining your home’s temperature consistently throughout the seasons, it can aid in avoiding rot and mold damage. Now might be the ideal moment for an attic check if you haven’t had one in a while!
The amount of insulation in the attic of your home will be evaluated by inspectors; as needed, more or less insulation may be added. The most typical places for additional insulation are:
- The top surface of your roof, the roof deck.
- The floor of your attic/the ceiling(s) of your home.
- Walls and ceilings between rooms, such as bedrooms or hallways.
- Outdoors, under eaves.
Seal Cracks
Make sure that there are no leaks or cracks in the roof or ceiling of your house which could cause water to seep into your attic and damage it. These cracks and holes can also invite pests into your home, not just moisture.
Clear Debris from Roof and Gutters
It’s crucial to inspect your roof for issues before you begin inspecting the attic. It’s a good idea to check for these problems before the temperature decreases since things like cracked shingles and clogged vents can lead to leaks or other concerns in the attic. Once you’re up there, carefully examine each vent to ensure that it is waterproof by looking for any leaks around it. Make sure they are also fastened; if not, they could blow off during strong gusts.
It’s also important to inspect the gutters to ensure that they are free of debris. If the gutters are blocked or clogged, it can cause ice dams to form on the edge of your roof and lead to snowmelt leaking through your roof.
Inspect for Pests
You should check that your attic’s pest control efforts are operational, clean, and prepared to thwart any pests’ attempts to make a warm home in your attic this winter. Frequent inspection and upkeep of those pest control measures through attic cleaning are just as important. Make sure to:
- Examine bug and rodent traps and reset them as necessary.
- Keep an eye out for entry attempts.
- Look for signs of settling such as damaged personal belongings, out of place insulation, etc.
Pests simply want to stay warm when it’s chilly, just like you do. However, by following your pest control procedures, you can prevent them from settling in your attic.
Ventilation
To prevent cold air from entering and causing condensation issues in your attic space, make sure that all of your vents are sealed off and closed.
Attic Maintenance & Services by Jersey Shore Crawlspace Enhancement
We offer a wide array of attic services designed to protect your family, your home, and the investment that you’ve made into it. Prior to any work, we begin each and every service with a comprehensive evaluation to determine the current conditions. Routine attic evaluations by a moisture management professional are the best practice to ensure that your attic is insulated properly and free of issues commonly found in attics such as excessive moisture, humidity, mold growth, and pest activity.
If you’re ready to enhance your attic and ensure that it’s free of moisture related issues, the pros at Jersey Shore Crawlspace Enhancement can help. Click the button below to speak to a representative or complete the form at the bottom of this page and one will be in touch with you.