Attic & Insulation Articles
Attic ventilation, moisture, condensation, and air sealing in Portland and SW Washington homes, explained by a Certified Master Inspector®.
Attic Insulation That’s Moved, Trampled, Thin or Missing, and the Uninsulated Attic Hatch
Russ wrote up attic insulation at 151 houses: pushed aside, trampled, too thin, missing, or an attic hatch with no insulation or seal.
No Soffit Intake Vents, or Vents Painted Over and Blocked
Russ found missing, blocked or painted-over soffit vents at 71 houses. Why attic ventilation needs intake low on...
Powered Attic Fans: Why Russ Often Can’t Test Them, and What They Do to an Attic
Powered attic fans came up at 18 of Russ's inspections, most not running because the attic was too...
Bathroom Fans That Vent Into the Attic: What Russ Finds Up There
A bathroom fan venting into the attic puts shower steam on cold roof wood. What Russ finds in...
Spray Foam Insulation Problems: Odor, Exposed Foam, Roof Decks, and What It Hides
Spray foam can seal a house well, or trap odor and moisture and cover what an inspector needs...
How to Install Faced Fiberglass Insulation Correctly, and What Goes Wrong When You Don’t
Kraft paper facing on fiberglass insulation has to face the right direction. Here is the correct installation method...
Rodent Activity in Floor Insulation: What This Inspection Finding Means
Evidence of rodent nesting in crawlspace floor insulation is a common finding in Portland-area homes.
Attic Inspection in Portland Homes: What Agents Need to Know
What inspectors look for in Portland attics, why findings here matter, and what agents should know before buyers...
Home Inspection Attic Findings in Portland: What Gets Flagged and Why It Matters
Portland attics hide expensive problems. Here's what a home inspector checks, what findings look like, and why the...
Attic Ventilation Myths: What Portland Homeowners Get Wrong
The default answer to attic moisture problems is always 'add more ventilation.' Building science says that's usually wrong....