Your Home's Attic Does A Lot More Than Storing Old Boxes

It's very likely the last time you were up in your attic was to put away the Christmas decorations for another year. But have you ever thought about what purpose your attic serves besides extra storage space for items you rarely use? The truth is that your attic plays a crucial part in the health of your home. Besides the extra storage space, the attic serves as a way to improve insulation, regulate the temperature of your home, and provide much-needed ventilation. It's also been shown that homes with attics are much more energy efficient.

Besides being a vital part of a home's structural integrity, the attic serves to provide ventilation by allowing air to move in and out of the home. When your attic has good ventilation, it can help prevent moisture and excess heat from damaging your home's structure. That's why it's important to check your attic a couple of times a year to look for potential issues. There are hidden dangers that may be lurking in your attic, such as mold, pests, roof leaks, or other structural issues. Being aware of these problems before they become a bigger issue can prevent costly repairs and even illness. Understanding how important your attic is to the rest of your home is the first step in knowing how to maintain it to help it function properly and be a safe place to store treasures. After all, it's an awful feeling to find out critters or mold got into that box of grandma's doilies you stored in the attic for safe keeping.

Now that you have a better understanding of the attic's role in your home, you should know how to identify any issues and address them quickly. A good rule of thumb is to check your attic once in the summer and again in the winter (you're more likely to find issues at these times of year). There are a couple of things to look for when doing your checks: Watch for signs of pests, seek out any moisture or water stains, check for the proper amount of insulation, make sure your vents are clear, and look for any gaps between your attic and your ceiling. You can also have a professional come do an inspection if you want to make sure everything is functioning properly and looks good.

Before your bi-annual inspection, it's also a good idea to give your attic space a good clean. If you are comfortable with DIY and you notice your insulation is a little thin at your winter inspection, you can insulate it for better heat efficiency. Also lay out traps in the fall for rodents, as this is the time of year many critters are looking for a warm place to set up a home.

Prevention is best when it comes to home maintenance, and the attic is no different than any other part of your home.  Maintaining your attic will not only ensure your home is safe but it can also help keep your utility bills from becoming outrageous.