[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-inside-the-attic-insulation-ventilation-what-can-go-wrong\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-inside-the-attic-insulation-ventilation-what-can-go-wrong\/","headline":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Inside the Attic \u2014 Insulation, Ventilation & What Can Go Wrong","name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Inside the Attic \u2014 Insulation, Ventilation & What Can Go Wrong","description":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Inside the Attic \u2014 Insulation, Ventilation & What Can Go Wrong The reason I spend extra time in the attic (and yes, the crawlspace too) is because these are the places most people never see\u2014but where the most critical clues often hide. These aren\u2019t just dusty storage zones. They\u2019re windows into how the home breathes, insulates, drains, and ages. Up in the attic and down in the crawlspace, I change how I inspect\u2014but not how I think. My approach stays the same: I go system by system. That\u2019s how I stay thorough\u2014and how I train every inspector on our team. System-by-System: The Attic Isn\u2019t Just Insulation When I\u2019m in an attic, I\u2019m checking the bottom of the roof for leaks or rot. I\u2019m checking gable sides for insulation gaps. I\u2019m looking at ductwork. I\u2019m identifying knob and tube wiring or spliced connections someone buried in 1982. If there\u2019s plumbing, I\u2019m looking for vent stack leaks or disconnected bath fans dumping warm air into the attic. If I see structural issues\u2014like cracked trusses or sagging joists\u2014it goes in the report. Same goes for crawlspaces. I start with structure: is the floor framing solid and supported? Then I move to plumbing: any leaks, corrosion, or disconnected drain lines? Is there insulation? Is it wet, sagging, or missing entirely? Do I see electrical running where it shouldn\u2019t, or open splices? I check HVAC ducts too. Everything gets its turn. What I\u2019m Looking For\u2014And What I\u2019m Not \u2705 I\u2019m looking for: active leaks, mold, missing insulation, blocked ventilation, electrical safety issues, animal intrusion, and structural damage. \u274c I\u2019m not looking for: r-value compliance, energy code upgrades, historical insulation techniques, or anything buried behind sealed walls or inaccessible areas. What sets us apart is that we don\u2019t just glance around. We move methodically, system by system\u2014so nothing gets missed. That\u2019s what makes this job so detailed. It\u2019s also what makes it matter. Thermal Imaging: Seeing What Eyes Can\u2019t If conditions are right, I\u2019ll use a thermal camera to spot cold air intrusion, moisture issues, or even hot spots around electrical components. Missing insulation? You\u2019ll see it in blue. Wet insulation that\u2019s evaporating after last night\u2019s storm? You\u2019ll see that too. Thermal imaging doesn\u2019t replace experience\u2014but it gives us a superpower when it counts. Access = Limitations. But We Still Work Hard. If I can\u2019t fit through the access hatch, or if there\u2019s stored junk blocking my path, I\u2019ll note that in the report. Same goes for low-clearance crawlspaces. I go as far as is safe and reasonable. But make no mistake\u2014these spaces matter. They reveal things the living room never will. FAQs: What to Expect From Your Attic & Crawlspace Inspection Do you always go in the attic and crawlspace? Yes\u2014if safe and accessible. If I can\u2019t get in, or can\u2019t see the entire space due to obstructions, I\u2019ll note the limitations in your report. Do you inspect every system in the attic? Yes. I inspect electrical, insulation, ventilation, structure, and plumbing if present. The attic gives clues across all major systems. Will you call out improper insulation or missing vapor barriers? I\u2019ll flag missing or damaged insulation and obvious defects. But I don\u2019t verify code-required insulation thickness or energy ratings. That\u2019s not in the inspection scope. Do you use thermal imaging in attics or crawlspaces? Yes\u2014when conditions support it. Thermal helps us see temperature differences caused by air leaks, water, or missing insulation, especially within 24 hours of rain. \u2192 Next up: Post 12: Exterior Systems \u2014 Drainage, Siding, and What Can Let Water In \u2190 Previously: Post 10: Roof Inspections \u2014 What We Look For With Our Drones and Cameras Curious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?","datePublished":"2025-06-30","dateModified":"2025-06-30","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/#Person","name":"Kloc Curtis","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/","identifier":6,"description":"Curtis Kloc is a U.S. Navy veteran and seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in business development, inspections, and technical systems. He has built and sold multiple six- and seven-figure home inspection and environmental services companies, including HERO Inspections & Environmental and Elite Analysis. Curtis is the founder of Inspections Over Coffee, a nationally expanding franchise known for its white-glove service, inspector training systems, and streamlined operational workflows.\r\n\r\nWith deep roots in nuclear engineering from his time as a Machinist Mate and Engineering Laboratory Technician aboard two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, Curtis brings unmatched precision and discipline to every business he runs. He is certified and licensed in home inspection, mold assessment, asbestos inspection, and environmental testing, and is a member of NACHI since 2006. Curtis now leads AI automation initiatives through Nexation.ai, helping businesses eliminate busywork and refocus on what matters most\u2014client relationships, growth, and results.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Person","name":"Curtis Kloc","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","url":"http:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","width":512,"height":512}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/home-inspection-blog-11.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/home-inspection-blog-11.png","height":736,"width":1312},"url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-inside-the-attic-insulation-ventilation-what-can-go-wrong\/","about":["Uncategorized"],"wordCount":661,"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Inside the Attic \u2014 Insulation, Ventilation & What Can Go WrongThe reason I spend extra time in the attic (and yes, the crawlspace too) is because these are the places most people never see\u2014but where the most critical clues often hide. These aren\u2019t just dusty storage zones. They\u2019re windows into how the home breathes, insulates, drains, and ages.Up in the attic and down in the crawlspace, I change how I inspect\u2014but not how I think. My approach stays the same: I go system by system. That\u2019s how I stay thorough\u2014and how I train every inspector on our team.System-by-System: The Attic Isn\u2019t Just InsulationWhen I\u2019m in an attic, I\u2019m checking the bottom of the roof for leaks or rot. I\u2019m checking gable sides for insulation gaps. I\u2019m looking at ductwork. I\u2019m identifying knob and tube wiring or spliced connections someone buried in 1982. If there\u2019s plumbing, I\u2019m looking for vent stack leaks or disconnected bath fans dumping warm air into the attic. If I see structural issues\u2014like cracked trusses or sagging joists\u2014it goes in the report.Same goes for crawlspaces. I start with structure: is the floor framing solid and supported? Then I move to plumbing: any leaks, corrosion, or disconnected drain lines? Is there insulation? Is it wet, sagging, or missing entirely? Do I see electrical running where it shouldn\u2019t, or open splices? I check HVAC ducts too. Everything gets its turn.What I\u2019m Looking For\u2014And What I\u2019m Not  \u2705 I\u2019m looking for: active leaks, mold, missing insulation, blocked ventilation, electrical safety issues, animal intrusion, and structural damage.  \u274c I\u2019m not looking for: r-value compliance, energy code upgrades, historical insulation techniques, or anything buried behind sealed walls or inaccessible areas.What sets us apart is that we don\u2019t just glance around. We move methodically, system by system\u2014so nothing gets missed. That\u2019s what makes this job so detailed. It\u2019s also what makes it matter.Thermal Imaging: Seeing What Eyes Can\u2019tIf conditions are right, I\u2019ll use a thermal camera to spot cold air intrusion, moisture issues, or even hot spots around electrical components. Missing insulation? You\u2019ll see it in blue. Wet insulation that\u2019s evaporating after last night\u2019s storm? You\u2019ll see that too. Thermal imaging doesn\u2019t replace experience\u2014but it gives us a superpower when it counts.Access = Limitations. But We Still Work Hard.If I can\u2019t fit through the access hatch, or if there\u2019s stored junk blocking my path, I\u2019ll note that in the report. Same goes for low-clearance crawlspaces. I go as far as is safe and reasonable. But make no mistake\u2014these spaces matter. They reveal things the living room never will.FAQs: What to Expect From Your Attic & Crawlspace InspectionDo you always go in the attic and crawlspace?Yes\u2014if safe and accessible. If I can\u2019t get in, or can\u2019t see the entire space due to obstructions, I\u2019ll note the limitations in your report.Do you inspect every system in the attic?Yes. I inspect electrical, insulation, ventilation, structure, and plumbing if present. The attic gives clues across all major systems.Will you call out improper insulation or missing vapor barriers?I\u2019ll flag missing or damaged insulation and obvious defects. But I don\u2019t verify code-required insulation thickness or energy ratings. That\u2019s not in the inspection scope.Do you use thermal imaging in attics or crawlspaces?Yes\u2014when conditions support it. Thermal helps us see temperature differences caused by air leaks, water, or missing insulation, especially within 24 hours of rain.\u2192 Next up: Post 12: Exterior Systems \u2014 Drainage, Siding, and What Can Let Water In\u2190 Previously: Post 10: Roof Inspections \u2014 What We Look For With Our Drones and CamerasCurious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Inside the Attic \u2014 Insulation, Ventilation & What Can Go Wrong","item":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-inside-the-attic-insulation-ventilation-what-can-go-wrong\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]