Wisconsin homeowners love the benefits of having an attic. They’re incredibly versatile spaces where you can store seasonal items, keepsakes, and infrequently used items. But did you know that performing routine attic maintenance can improve your home’s comfort and increase its value?
Fortunately, it’s relatively simple to keep your attic in top shape!
Boost Your Home’s Comfort With These 5 Attic Maintenance Tips
Completing these cleaning and maintenance tasks every year or so will help your attic do its job effectively.
1. Inspect Insulation
Attic insulation prevents heat from migrating into your home during the summer and slows heat’s natural rise in the winter. To keep your house as comfortable as possible, check to see that you have the recommended amount of insulation. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests an “R” rating between 49 and 60. A qualified contractor can tell you if additional insulation is required for your attic and add more if it falls short.
As part of your yearly attic maintenance, look for signs of insulation damage from roof leaks, rodents, or mold and replace them if necessary.
2. Find and Seal Air Leaks
Electrical cables, pipes, exhaust vents, and HVAC ducts typically run from or through the attic to the living areas below. The result is often small openings that allow cooled or heated air to escape the house. Seal these openings with spray foam or caulk to keep heating and cooling costs as low as possible. Talk to a professional about sealing gaps around high-temperature items like chimneys, appliance flues, and recessed lighting. They have the best tools and products to seal these areas with heat-resistant materials.
3. Improve Ventilation
When too much heat builds up in the attic, it can raise cooling costs, make the entire home less comfortable, and reduce your roof’s lifespan. Fresh air flowing from vented eave soffits and out-of-box vents, ridge vents, and gable vents balance the airflow and improve the attic’s temperature. For best results, check to see that the insulation isn’t blocking any of the soffit vents.
4. Check for Roof Damage
Many homeowners are surprised to hear that a damaged roof can significantly impact their home’s comfort. Temperature regulation issues, increased moisture and humidity, decreased air quality, energy inefficiency, and structural damage can all affect a home’s interior and lead to costly repairs or replacements.
Inspect the underside of the roof decking for signs of leaks, such as stains, moist areas, or daylight pinholes. Check the floors and insulation under the roof for water damage. If you suspect a roof leak, contact a professional roofing contractor ASAP for roof repairs.
5. Clean and Organize
Out of sight, out of mind often leads to a cluttered attic. Keeping the space clean and organized makes it easier to spot damaged insulation or roof leaks—and makes finding things that much quicker! Use lidded containers and sealed boxes to protect items from moisture and dust. Consider shelving to up your organization game.
Roofing & Insulation Services in Wisconsin
Maintaining your Wisconsin home’s attic and roof is a huge part of its regular maintenance and can keep them in peak condition. However, if and when you need expert roof repairs, a roof replacement, or an attic insulation upgrade, First Quality Roofing is here to help. Contact us online or call 715.350.2162 today to arrange a roof and insulation inspection.