Will Inspectors Break Into A Sealed Attic?

 

The attic is one of the most significant areas in any home, and a really important component of the home inspection report. The attic is where most of a home’s insulation is located, and can make a substantial difference in your energy usage (9 out of 10 homes in the U.S. are reportedly under-insulated). While it’s super important to check the insulation in attics, many attics are sealed or caulked at the time of the home inspection. Nearly every inspector has encountered sealed attics and subsequently can’t complete that part of the inspection.

 

New build homes often have access to the attic sealed off. This can make the inspection more difficult, as home inspectors can’t break the seal unless given permission to do so by the seller. If no one is present at the inspection, and access is sealed, a re-inspection is necessary to complete the attic inspection.  

 

Most inspectors will break the seal themselves when given the O.K. by the seller. You can see a video of how inspectors break the attic seal here. However, if attic access needs to be cut open, it cuts into an inspector’s time and can leave them rushing through the rest of the inspection. Some inspectors won’t break attics themselves for that reason. The seller or listing agent might not be aware that the attic has been sealed. It’s important for all parties to communicate so access is available to the inspector and he or she won’t need to perform a re-inspection.

 

Inspectors try to avoid re-inspections as much as their clients do. It’s best not to assume access to the attic is readily available. If you are purchasing new construction, don’t forget to ask your agent about the attic’s accessibility before ordering a home inspection. Double checking the status of the attic is a quick extra step that could save you time, money and hassle later.

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