Safety First

Hot, Cold and Infested
Attics can be hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Often, it is very difficult to move through the attic, and the attic may be a home for birds and animals you’d rather not meet. You must watch for animal droppings, which may pose a health hazard. You may be startled by bats, raccoons, squirrels, mice and other animals, causing you to lose footing or step carelessly, putting a foot through a ceiling. Bees, hornets and other stinging insects also can spoil your inspection.

How Far to Go
When the attic insulation completely covers the ceiling joists, we do not recommend walking through the attic. Instead, simply look at the attic from the access hatch. When you can’t see the ceiling joists, it’s difficult to know where to step. You may be able to find the ceiling joists with your foot by feeling around through the insulation; however, you may step on a wire, an open electrical junction box or a joist that has been cut or is cracked. We recommend that you do not move through an attic where there is risk of damaging the property or injuring yourself. We are also cautious about using planks that have been laid as walkways across attic areas. Unless these appear to have been clearly “well traveled,” we recommend moving very carefully. It’s easier when you can grab onto something, in which case trusses would be ideal over rafters. At the same time, it’s difficult to navigate an attic with trusses.