Behind the Scenes of a Tyson Attic Inspection
Have you ever wondered what’s really going on in your attic? A lot of homeowners never step foot up there, but that doesn’t mean it’s not affecting the air quality, energy efficiency, and overall comfort of your home. At Tyson, we take a deep dive into attics, especially in older homes, to identify the hidden problems that most people never think about. Let’s walk through a real attic inspection and break down the issues we found.
Air Leakage: The Silent Energy Waster
One of the biggest problems we find in almost every attic is air leakage. Anywhere there’s a penetration through the ceiling—like light fixtures, wiring penetrations, or vents—there’s a gap that allows air to move between your attic and living spaces. This means your heating and cooling system has to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature, and dust, allergens, and even attic contaminants can circulate through your home. Many homeowners report fewer allergy symptoms after we properly seal these gaps.
The Dust and Allergy Connection
If your home is constantly dusty, your attic might be the culprit. Old, dusty cellulose insulation can contribute to poor indoor air quality. When air leaks between the attic and the living space, it carries dust and allergens with it. Sealing these penetrations and upgrading insulation can make a noticeable difference in how clean and fresh your home looks and feels. Our attic restoration customers frequently report that their home is drastically less dusty after the job is done.
Torn Ducts and Energy Loss
During this particular inspection, we found a major problem—torn ductwork. This is a double-whammy issue:
- Wasted Energy – When conditioned air leaks into the attic, you’re losing the efficiency of your heating and cooling system, which drives up your energy bills.
- Contaminated Air – The ductwork should be delivering clean, conditioned air to your home, but if it has holes, it can suck in dusty, unfiltered attic air and distribute it throughout your house.
Mold and Condensation Issues
We also found an exhaust vent that wasn’t properly routed to the roof. Instead, it was venting warm, moist air directly into the attic. Over time, this creates condensation, which can lead to mold growth on your drywall and insulation. If left unchecked, this kind of moisture problem can result in expensive repairs and serious health concerns.
Rodent Damage and Health Risks
Rodents love attics. We found evidence of them chewing through ductwork, leaving holes that further reduce energy efficiency and compromise indoor air quality. Even worse, there was rat poison sitting directly on top of leaky ductwork. This means that every time the HVAC system ran, it could potentially be circulating airborne contaminants into the home. This is a huge health hazard that most homeowners never even think about.
Old, Failing Insulation and Duct Tape Disasters
Older homes often have outdated insulation and duct systems. In this attic, we found flex duct, which is notorious for inefficiency and air leaks. Additionally, many of the duct seams were held together with duct tape—which, despite its name, is not an effective long-term solution for sealing ducts. Over time, the adhesive fails, allowing even more air leakage and further reducing efficiency.
Our Recommendation: A Full Attic Restoration
For this home, we recommended a full attic restoration, which includes:
- Removing all the old, contaminated insulation.
- Sealing all air leaks, including top plates, wire penetrations, and light fixtures.
- Replacing old, damaged ductwork with new, properly sealed ducts.
- Correctly venting all exhaust fans to prevent moisture buildup.
- Installing new, high-performance insulation to improve energy efficiency and comfort.
The Result? A Healthier, More Efficient Home
A properly restored attic can make a noticeable difference the very next day. Homeowners immediately feel the benefits of improved air quality, better temperature control, and lower energy bills. If you’ve never had an attic inspection, now is the time to schedule a free one. You might be surprised at what’s hiding above your ceiling!
Ready for a Healthier Home? Schedule your free attic inspection today and take the first step toward better air quality, comfort, and energy savings. Contact us now to get started!