When inspecting attics it is sometimes a good idea to turn the flashlight off and see what happens. Admittedly it is not a good place to be afraid of the dark, but if you stay very still, chances are the boogie man won’t get you and you won’t end up in the living room below.
Home inspectors in Seattle are required to traverse attics when it is safe to do so. Sometimes this is a good way to get an idea if there are any “obvious” ways for critters to get into the attic. This procedure can tell the inspector where they may need to venture a little closer to see what is going on. In this case the light at the end of the tunnel was a very large opening that even Darth Vader or Nutsy the squirrel could get through. I have no idea how long this opening had been there but there was no evidence of ANY critters in the attic (except me of course). This surprised me, given that it is pretty unusual to not see signs, either past or present, of critters of one sort or another in the attic. Regardless---time to eliminate the open invitation, and install proper flashings/enclosure at the exterior to close the door to rats, squirrels, mice, raccoons, cats, birds, bees and Darth Vader----did I say Nutsy? Charles Buell Seattle Home Inspectors, ASHI Home Inspector, Structural Pest Inspector, Charles Buell Inspections Inc, Seattle, WA
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Thankfully we do not have the rodent problems that you folks have. I do have hardware cloth installed over my gable vents though...
Helping you live your American dream...
Never know who or what you are going to find when you crawl into that attic.
Charles - I appreciate the great pics you post.
This is one of the few times when you could see more in the dark :)
Michael---seems so hard to imagine---no rats:)
Carl & Ceil---for sure
Stewart, thanks----the dark can be fun:)
Those points of light can sometimes be a beacon for trouble.
Charles, A thousand beacons of light would really be a disaster!
Surprising that there was not evidence of creatures.
Charlie,
My assistant would have found that hole in about three seconds from outside.
James, so poetic. Steven, how can such a smart man be so misguided? Ms Kate, CEO MENSA-R-Us PLLC
You think maybe the local rodents didn't like all the moisture in the attic. Looks like the insulation has seen better days.
BTW, not afraid of the dark but the 8 legged creatures that roam around in it scare the H out of me.
James, for sure.
Paul, "A thousand points of light"---that sounds familiar?
Irene, I was equally surprised given that this opening has most likely been this way for at least 8 years based on the age of the roof.
Steve, I am more surprised that he had not already found it
MENSA-RusKate----that is a good question
Jack, I will take spiders over rockwool or fiberglass----not by weight however:)
This is really creepy. We just had a situation with a rabid groundhog and not knowing if and when that animal would attack duing an inspection.
Let there be light.
And there was light.
And it was good, I mean, NOT good.
Mr Charles,
As I have told you over and over and over and over and over and over again, look out for rabid groundhogs. It seems that you never take me seriously anymore.
Nutsy
I loved this blog. It was EASY for me to understand and the photo in the dark was brilliant! My cat loves to explore our attic. She comes out exhausted with cobwebs on her whiskers but happy!! I don't know what she finds up there.
Charles - like you I found turning off the light to be very illuminating both in the attic and in the crawlspace.
Janice, sounds like a sequel to "Caddy shack":)
Jay, some light is just NOT good.
Nutsy, have you had your shots yet?
Barbara, thanks. Cats love all dark places---mostly because they can see in there I guess.
Suesan, so true---same for crawl spaces.
Charles, I can't believe you would include Nutsy with the rodents... surely I read that wrong! :)
Charles,
I had an inspection done today for a client. Unbelievable! The book was 4" thick and took 2 hours! He found stuff I would never have thought of. (Didn't queer the deal though).
Shoshana----are you saying you are a Nutsy fan?
Terry, reading it took two hours or the inspection took two hours? Pretty rare for me to finish an inspection in less than 3 to 3-1/2 hours.
Charlie - If I saw daylight in that darlk space I think the critter factor would send me bolting. But, don't tell Nutsy.
I bet Nutsy made that hole trying to get out before an inspection!
Hmmm! Barbara, chalk up one or two more to the dark side. Sure you won't consider coming over? Red rover red rover, let Barbara come over.
Carol you chicken:)
Lizette---I am sure he did----but more likely getting in.
Kate, she will never come over to the "our side"---not sure that they are not on the "dark side":)
At least I tried and as I have told her before, she can't tell the jury she wasn't warned.
Charles: We are overrun with squirrels in our area. Just as Jimmy B. use to call them tree flying squirrels - they would certainly find their way in by flying, running or walking with a hole that big. Yes indeed an item to be fixed.
Carl & Ceil---well squirrels do love attics and can make a hell of a mess.