Straw Poll re Attics

[mporras]

I inspected a home a couple of years ago that was in pristine condition. The biggest problem that I found with the home, was the hole in the ceiling that I created when I missed a joist.

Last summer, I had a couple of scares when it came to heat. I entered some attics where the temperatures were around 150 degrees, and at least on one occasion, I thought I was going to have to call 911. I think this year I will cut it off at 125 degrees. Any attic that is hotter than that, I may just inspect from the hatch....

[lcapaul]

Twice now I have found hot knob and tube wiring buried in blown in insulation, both by getting zapped in the ankle, I'm a lot more careful in older houses now, that and on the lookout for racoon tracks

One thing I noticed on an inspection of a newer home the other day was evidence or truss lift along the main bearing wall of the home, the attic had 16" of blow in, and I inspected it from the access hatch, I didn't want to put my 215 pounds on a lifted truss which may have caused damage to the sheetrock seams in the ceiling below. I always like to see as much of the underside of the roof from the attic before I walk the roof, its nice to know what you're walking on.

[Frank L. Bartlo]

Depends upon the clearance at the hatch. If at least about 30 inches at the hatch, without too long of nails sticking out under the sheathing. I'm in!