Home Attic

Attic

While your attic is a great place to keep your Christmas and Halloween decorations, it also serves several important functions: it aids in temperature control, provides access to roof vent systems, and can serve as a bedroom. However, without proper care, your attic can become rundown and let in water, pests, and drafts, leading to a whole host of other problems.

The Basics of Attics

Below we list some of the best ways to keep your attic in tip-top shape, along with some other helpful reading material. 

  • Replace old insulation: Insulation doesn’t last forever, and it will begin to degrade after about 15 years. As such, you should always replace your insulation every 20 to 30 years. 
  • Do a yearly inspection and repairs: Every year, you should do a thorough walk-through of your attic, keeping an eye out for any holes, damage, or leaks. We recommend using a waterproof silicone sealant to patch any hole larger than a quarter inch in width. 
  • Declutter often: An attic, like a garage, can quickly become a home’s default junk and storage location. While this practice is convenient, it can lead to excess clutter and debris buildup. We recommend cleaning out your attic twice per year, throwing away all garbage, and getting rid of anything you’re not attached to. 
  • Ensure attic vents are working properly: One of the most important parts of an attic is its ventilation system. Without properly working vents, an attic’s air will hold too much heat, which can lead to the buildup of ice dams in winter and high electricity bills in summer. 

An attic is an often overlooked section of the home but holds numerous important functions. If you want to learn how to better care for and utilize your attic, check out some of the articles below. 

How to Hide an Attic Door In a Ceiling

There are a few reasons why you might want to make your attic door less obvious to the casual viewer. Maybe the goal is to eliminate the dangling cord or to simply...

What is a Scuttle Attic?

Have you ever wondered about the architectural hole in the ceiling that can be seen mainly in an old house? It is called a scuttle attic that provides an entry going through...
Gable vent on a house

Solved: Why You Should Cover Gable Vents | Ep. 79

If your home has a ridge vent and gable vents, and you plan to install soffit vents, should you cover the gable vents? Yes. Here's why.

To Vent or Not to Vent

How should Return air and attic ventilation be structured inside a spray foam insulated home?

How to Keep Moisture out of the Attic and Prevent Mold Growth

Have you noticed mold around vents? Here's how to keep moisture out of your attic and prevent the growth of mold.
Old attic with soot stains and moisture

How to Prevent Moisture in the Attic

If you have moisture in the attic, here's how to eliminate it.
Roof vent pipe

Routing a Vent Fan Out of the Attic

Capped off bathroom vent fan? That helps no one. Here's how to make the vent fan functional again.
Black attic stairway cover installed in an attic.

How to Easily Insulate An Attic

Pam has a unique way of keeping the cold out using cardboard and ALOT of tape. How she can winterize her home without creating a massive craft project every year.
Danny Lipford posing in front of Owens Corning insulation.

How Much Attic Insulation Do You Need?

If hot or cold air is entering your home through the attic, you may need more insulation. Here's what you need to know.