Attic Inspection

[Richard Goodfellow]

I just inspected a 150 year old home. There is a small scuttle but big enough to get in. I hope. The owner didn't want me to open it because he says its full of blown insulation that will fall out. I said they will most likely require an inspection. The second floor ceilings are partially sloped so the only visible attic will probably be around 4' high, less on the one story section. I thought I read that the underwriter could waive an attic inspection if it is very small. Anyone run into this? Owner said if he has to have it inspected he will put down a drop cloth. Should I just call and schedule an inspection or submit the report conditioned on an attic inspection? This house has small vents on the gable ends, 10"+/- square. There was one soffit vent. Don't ask me why. In talking to the owner he believes that they blew insulation in the rafter bays on the sloping portions. No proper vents. My question is does FHA require soffit vents? If the bays are full it wouldn't work. this is a slate roof over sheathing boards. Usually there are gaps in the boards and roof slates so it probably is not a problem. There was no sign inside of any problems anyway. The one story section has a low pitch with about 3-4 feet of space to the ridge. Has a gable vent. Will a scuttle have to be installed if there isn't one? When do you check no attic, just flat roofs?

 

[Jerry Bone Jr]

FHA is simple these days. You just report the facts & let the underwriter make the requirements.

 

[john eickhoff]

FHA Protocol, page D-22, states under Attic: "The attic must be entered, at a mimimum, by head and shoulders, whether access is by pull-down stairway or scuttle. Size of the scuttle and accessibility of the attic dictates the level of entry. "
You need to chec for water damage, structural problems, previous fire damage, FRT sheathing, exposed and frayed wiring, adequate ventilation by vent, fan or window. You shouldn't turn in your report until you have made the inspection. If the owner needs to put down a tarp let him but at least make a heads and shoulder inspection. If there is an attic then inspect it. If the house has a flat roof then there is no attic and no inspection can be made.

 

[Don Clark]

I agree with John. FHA can still nail you to the wall if you do not inspect the attic and crawl. Also, I suggest you take one or more photos of the attic and crawl and keep in your file. FHA may have simplified the reporting requirements but their inspection process is still the same.

 

[DTB]

Typical ventilation requirement is 1 square foot per 300 square feet of attic.

Used to blow attics all day long, hope it helps.

 

[Richard Goodfellow]

I made it conditioned on an attic inspection. Have not heard back yet but it is likely that they will ask me to go out again. I know there are guidelines about ventilation but does HUD require a certain amount of ventilation or is it a judgement of the appraiser? This building is 150 years old and seems to be fine. Slate roofs over sheathing boards have a lot of areas to breathe.