Skip to content
close navigation

ABBOTTS BLOG

attic

5 Ways to Prevent Water Damage in Your Attic

Most homeowners understand that they must be diligent when it comes to preventing water damage in their home. When leaks and the accumulation of water goes unchecked, it can lead to costly repairs and a great deal of inconvenience when the damage is severe.

The attic is one place where even diligent homeowners can make mistakes. They often miss water damage because it’s not an area that they frequently check. This can lead to serious problems in a short amount of time. To help you prevent the possibility of water damage in your attic, we’ve compiled a quick list of tips that you can begin implementing today:

 

Check for Roof Leaks

It will come as absolutely no surprise to learn that leaks in your roof are a common reason for water damage. It’s a good idea to check your roof for leaks on a regular basis, especially after a rainfall. What you want to do is check your attic’s insulation and wood for any signs of damage, paying close attention to the area surrounding the plumbing stacks, where leaks are common in many homes. Also be aware that split shingles and leaky flashing are common areas for water to seep through. If you can’t handle any needed repairs yourself, call a professional for the job.

Have Attic Appliances Checked on a Yearly Basis

HVAC systems that are installed in your attic, such as air conditioners and swamp coolers, should be checked once per year by a qualified HVAC technician. This will help ensure their efficiency and prolong each unit’s operational lifespan, but what we’re concerned with here is the effect on your attic. For our purposes, a yearly check will prevent breakdowns that can often lead to water damage. Age has a lot to do with this. If the HVAC system in your attic is more than 10 years old, you may want to consider investing in a new unit.

Ensure Proper Ventilation

A lack of ventilation is another typical cause of water damage. When your attic isn’t properly ventilated, humidity can cause condensation to build up because it has no way to escape, which leads to water damage. While this is of special concern during the winter months, it’s definitely something to be aware of all year round. Also, make sure that you check your attic vents because these often get blocked and cause humidity problems as well.

Add Insulation

Insulation in your attic is the key to maintaining temperature levels, which will prevent ice dams from forming during the winter months. This is also true for the insulation of heating ducts during this time. We know what you’re thinking – “but we’re in the middle of summer right now.” Exactly. Since winter is still months away, you have plenty of time to check your insulation and replace or add where it’s lacking before the colder months settle in and you have a problem. This is especially true if you decide to call a professional, because HVAC technicians often get backed up at the start of each season.

Do Not Vent Warm Air into the Attic

Some homes – for whatever reason – have kitchen, bathroom, and dryer vents that blow warm air directly into the attic. This causes the accumulation of moisture, and if left unchecked, you’ll have a great deal of water damage to deal with. The solution here is to make sure all of your vents are directing the warm air outside instead.

If you’ve experienced a disaster involving water damage, fire damage, or any other type of disaster, please reach out to the professionals at Abbotts Fire & Flood. We’ll assess your damage right away and help you get your life back on track.

Abbotts Cleanup and Restoration: 24-Hour emergency services for water, fire and mold damage remediation and repair in Denver, Colorado

Need expert help? Abbotts is standing by 24/7!

  303-975-4000  Contact Us

Scroll To Top