Summer has come quickly, and its time to start thinking about your attic! Attic cleaning and insulation are some of the best ways to make sure the summertime heat doesn’t affect your energy bill.
Attic spaces can get extremely hot under during summertime, and the heat that is trapped there can add significantly to your home’s and energy bill. Cool down your house this summer by having a professional come out to perform attic cleaning services and to check your attic insulation.
Especially in the Pacific Northwest, it’s important to ensure that your attic has the appropriate ventilation to deter moisture and mold from developing during the summer months.
What are some things I can do to make my attic ready for summer?
Although attics vary in style and build, most of them share similar problems. When you start thinking about what you need to do to prepare your attic for the summer, think of the things that will help your attic handle the summer heat, lower your energy bills, and keep out the rodents and other pests looking for a respite from the summer sun.
Here are seven things you can do to make sure your attic is ready for the summer months:
Keep an eye out for unwanted guests!
Check for the tell-tale signs of rodents and pests, including animal droppings, feathers, and nesting materials. Pests can come in all shapes and sizes, and none are welcome. Rats, mice, bats, birds, and other uninvited guests can bring with them diseases, filth, and foul smell. If you find evidence of rodents in your attic, give us a call, and we’ll help to make sure to remove them for good.
Check for leaks.
This is one of the most important things you can do to make your attic ready for the summer. During the winter, ice and snow can cause extensive damage to your roof and insulation, promoting the growth of mold and mildew. Attic leaks can be very difficult to find, so keep an eye out for areas of wet insulation or water pooling.
Make sure there is adequate ventilation.
When the sun shines directly on your house, it can heat up your attic and roof to extreme temperatures. Without proper ventilation and insulation, that heat can radiate into your living space, reducing energy efficiency and decreasing your comfort. You’ll want to make sure that the hot air has an appropriate way to vent out of the attic.
Save energy with an air seal.
You have many holes in your roof that can’t be avoided, including from wires, plumbing, and gaps for fixtures. Expanding foam and caulk in your attic can seal these leaks, but make sure to do so before adding insulation because you won’t be able to find them once blocked.
Install a proper radiant heat barrier.
If your attic is exposed to direct sunlight for a significant part of the day, you may want to consider installing a radiant heat barrier. These have been shown to decrease temperatures in the attic by as much as 20 degrees. They work by reflecting a significant amount of heat that would typically radiate through the roof.
Install additional attic insulation.
When it comes to attic insulation, you can never have enough! Even with available modern technologies, having good and effective insulation in your attic remains the best defense against heat and rising energy costs.
Think of the Pacific Northwest!
We live in a unique climate, so when you are getting your attic ready for the summer, you will need to keep this in mind. Proper ventilation will help prevent the development and spread of mold and mildew, keeping your home safe and healthy.
We’re here to help!
Our attic services technicians are the experts when it comes to getting your attic ready for the summer. Contact us today and we’ll check to make sure everything is in good shape.
