What's in my attic, and what should I look for up there?
Short answer. A typical Georgia attic contains the roof framing (rafters or trusses), the underside of the roof deck, insulation on the floor, intake vents at the eaves and exhaust near the peak, and often the air handler, ductwork, bath fan ducts, wiring and plumbing vent pipes. A quick look a couple of times a year can catch leaks, moisture, pests and disconnected ducts early.
What you will see
- Framing: webbed trusses in most newer homes, or rafters and ceiling joists in older ones.
- Roof deck: plywood or OSB, the underside of your roof.
- Insulation: blown fiberglass, cellulose or batts on the floor, or spray foam on the deck.
- Ventilation: daylight at the eaves and at the ridge or vents.
- HVAC: air handler, ducts, condensate line and drain pan.
- Exhaust ducts: from bath fans and sometimes the kitchen.
- Plumbing vents, wiring and junction boxes.
What to look for
- Water stains, especially around pipes, chimneys and valleys.
- Dark or delaminating decking and rusty nails.
- Wet, matted or displaced insulation.
- Droppings, nests or chewed wiring, signs of squirrels or rats.
- Disconnected or sweating ducts and rusty drain pans.
- Bath fan ducts that end in the attic.
- Daylight where it should not be, such as around a pipe.
Safety
Step only on joists or walkways, watch for nails and wiring, and go early on summer days, since Georgia attics get dangerously hot. Robust Roofing explains what a roof check covers on its free roof inspection page. Read common causes of roof leaks and the roof maintenance checklist.