Every homeowner knows how annoying house chores can be. Sure, there’s nothing better than a clean house indoors and outdoors. But, one part of every house is usually neglected. We’re, of course, talking about the attic.
An attic clean-up is rarely part of a weekly cleaning checklist. We’d go as far as to say that only a few homeowners actually clean their attics at least once a year, with most never even contacting professional attic cleaning services.
That said, there are several signs which indicate that your attic needs cleaning. That’s precisely what we’ll be looking at today. Utilizing our experience in professional attic cleaning in SoCal, we’ll check out how you can gauge if your attic needs cleaning and how you can clean it yourself safely.
Unpleasant Odors
If unpleasant smells are emanating from your attic, there are plenty of underlying issues that call for an attic cleaning. As we’ll cover below, you might have recently dealt with a rodent infestation, or there’s mold and mildew buildup due to a roof leak.
But these aren’t the only causes you need to worry about. We’ve noticed that wet insulation or plant growth from the roof is a very common occurrence that leads to foul odors. And there’s always a chance that you might have left something in the attic for months that’s decomposing, leading to those unpleasant smells.
Rodent-Related Sounds
Rodents love making your attic their new home. The issue with most rodents in your attic, like roof rats and squirrels, is that they will contaminate its entirety with feces and urine. On top of that, once one of them dies, its body decomposes up there, giving off that musky smell.
In turn, an attic cleaning will be needed not necessarily to remove the odors but to decontaminate the attic, as these nuisances are known to carry several rodent-borne diseases. So, as soon as you hear any weird noises from the attic or the walls, it’s time to either call up a rodent removal company and get straight to cleaning.
Increase in Dust
Now, while the two signs mentioned above are not extremely common, a dusty attic is a much more regular occurrence in most houses. When we ask homeowners how often they do an attic clean-up, the answer is usually never. And, when it comes to dusting their attics, the response is usually once every 2-3 years.
While a dusty attic is often a rodent-related problem, these will also fill up with dust over time. In turn, your whole house will become more dusty, which can lead to further issues.
Respiratory Problems
If your attic is really dusty, chances are that some allergens are within all this dust. While we all get the occasional seasonal allergy, if you’re consistently experiencing respiratory problems like sneezing, coughing, or asthma complications, you should consider attic cleaning.
Water Damage
As we mentioned above, water damage is a major factor as to why your attic may emanate some unusual smells. More often than not, when you notice mold and mildew buildup inside the attic, it’s because of some form of water damage, whether it’s a roof leak or leaking gutters. But, it could also be related to a lack of ventilation or insulation.
In any case, considering an attic clean-up is a must, as the mold could spread to your entire house, which will be a health hazard.
Poor Attic Insulation
If your house has poor attic insulation, you’ll need to contact professional attic cleaning services in your area, which will clean up your attic and get rid of the old insulation. Poor insulation doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s destroyed; in fact, we have to say that there are other telltale signs you should look out for.
For example, if you’ve noticed that your electricity bills are skyrocketing, the issue is most likely hiding in your attic. The same goes if there are inconsistent temperatures around the house, with some rooms being warmer or colder than others.
How Can You Clean Your Attic
If you find any of the signs above in your attic, it’s time for an attic cleanup. We always suggest you contact a professional for this kind of work, as it comes with many hazards, from inhaling contaminated dust to falling through your attic.
But, if you want to know how to clean your attic so that it remains well-maintained, we’ve got you covered. For one, you’ll need to put on some protective gear; gloves, safety glasses, a protective mask, and even a hazmat suit if you have access to one.
Then, focus on removing all the unnecessary items from your attic, and start by vacuuming as much dust as possible. Once that’s done, all you really have to do is inspect for any significant damage to the whole attic, especially the insulation.
Professional Attic Cleaning Services Done The Green Way
Attic cleaning is necessary, and every homeowner should know when to put on their gear and get up there. However, in extreme cases, getting in touch with a professional is a must. If you’re in such a situation and you’re based in Southern California, we’ve got your back!
At Green Rodent Restoration, we’ll not only make sure that your attic is rodent-free but also ensure that it’s clean and rodent-proof. Contact us now for a free estimate!
