It’s easy to overlook the attic when you’re shopping for a new house. After all, you’re probably more concerned with curb appeal, space, and location. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to inspect the attic of any home before you sign the final paperwork outlining your purchase.

Why attics are so important

In many ways, an attic reflects the history of a home. It can clue you into how the former owners took care of the house and can help you understand potential defects within the house.

Attics can reveal instances of water damage and damage from vermin or other small animals. Attics are also an excellent way to check up on the health of any electrical wiring that goes through your ceiling into overhead light fixtures.

Read on to learn the top five reasons to inspect the attic and find out what you should be looking for.

Reason #1:  To make sure you have appropriate insulation

Quality insulation in an attic is crucial. Good insulation can keep the heat of summer and the cold of winter out of your home. Insulation also plays a key role in preventing the escape of air from within your home, meaning it makes the use of both air conditioners and heaters more efficient.

There are several different ways to insulate an attic, from simple, hand-laid insulation to professional-grade energy-efficient radiant barriers. Insulation is rated with something called an R factor. The higher the “R” number, the better your insulation is likely to perform.

When inspecting attic insulation, look for holes or tears. Check to make sure the insulation was installed correctly and that it covers your entire attic surface. If you’re not sure about the quality of the insulation or if you’d like to know your R factor, ask your home inspector to take a look.

Reason #2:  To make sure your roof is free of water damage

If the roof to your potential new home has suffered water damage, it may mean you’ll have to pay for costly roof repairs later down the road. Even worse, water damage can lead to mold growth inside your walls, which may eventually result in health hassles for you and your family.

Check your attic for stains on the wood supports between the roof and the attic floor. You should also check for evidence of water stains on your attic walls. Finally, be sure to closely inspect the area around any pipes that run through your attic. Condensation can form around pipes, leading to eventual wood rot.

Reason #3:  To check for fire damage

Previous fire damage to a house can weaken the entire home structure, making the house more susceptible to wind, water, or earthquake damage.

If the rafters in your new home’s attic show any other color besides natural wood, it may be an indication that the house once suffered a fire. Look for ash-colored, black, or scorched wood – these are all sure signs that the house was once on fire. You should also be attuned to any lingering scent of smoke.

If the wood in your attic has been painted, it may be a sign that the house suffered smoke or fire damage but that previous owners attempted to cover up the damage.

Reason #4:  To survey potential rodent problems

The location of your new home will have a lot of bearing on whether you’re susceptible to rodent or other damage. Find out what types of critters can be spotted in your new neighborhood then head up to your attic to look for any signs of them.

The most common animals found in attics are squirrels, raccoons, and rodents. These animals enter attics because they’re looking for food and for a warm place to sleep – or worse, to breed.

Animal droppings are the most obvious sign that your attic has been invaded by a critter. You should also look for damage to the insulation around pipes and wires, where rodents are likely to chew.

Animals in attics pose an enormous health risk because of the diseases they carry. In addition, creatures that chew and claw around the wiring in your attic can cause extensive electrical problems.

Reason #5:  To locate structural defects

If your attic has any evidence of rafter damage or cracks to the supporting trusses, it may be a sign that your potential new home has serious structural defects. Even if the roof to your home appears secure and stable, the home may still have structural problems due to rafter damage in the attic.

Thoroughly inspect your new attic for any evidence of structural defects by looking for stress cracks in the wood framing. You should also look for any sign of shoddy nail work or sunken rafters.

When it comes to potential structural defects, it’s a good idea to bring in a professional home inspector. A good home inspector can both vouch for the structural integrity of your rafters and trusses and can also let you know whether the lumber used in the attic is up to code.