THE OLD HOUSE DOCTOR 2-9-02

KNOW YOUR HOME’S HEALTH

PART TWO

          Last time, we talked about your crawlspace, and how it is a gauge of your home’s health. You put on overalls and wormed around with a flashlight, looking for telltale signs of rot such as colonies of glowing fungi shaped like Newt Gingrich. You cursed the fact that you even read this stupid column, and doubly cursed that you’re gullible enough to actually TRY this stuff. Well, keep those overalls on, because we’re going up top now.

          Your attic has the top job (HaHa) of your home’s components: to keep the rain away from the structure. Once up there, turn off your flashlight and look for the light coming through the cracks. Never mind that the spiders have moved closer to you in the dark. Cracks of light near the eaves are natural in old homes, unless they can admit squirrels. Patch them with hardware cloth if you see squirrel sign such as plant material or droppings.

          Another visitor is the bat. They like your roof’s tight spots in the peak, and, unless they are in numbers, pose no great risk. Their droppings, though, can cause respiratory problems, so bring a dust mask with you. Do not harm them, it is illegal and VERY bad karma.

          That mask might also keep you from breathing the fiberglass insulation fibers in the air. Old houses NEED as much insulation as they can get, and the standard 3 ½ inches isn’t half enough. Insulating your roof rafters is a no-no: the heat trapped between the insulation and the shingles will cut your roof’s longevity in half unless a ventilated air space is provided.

          Look at the roof joints, especially around vent and chimneys that penetrate the roof decking. Black streaks indicate a leak, but if it is dry during rain, it is a past leak. Touch the area to make sure it’s dry. Examine the underside of the ridge as well. Most leaks can be stopped with an application of cold-process roofing tar or silicone. No, it must be applied OUTSIDE the attic.

          Check your A/C ducts for leaks, your electrical wires for chewed areas. Seal either with the proper tape. If TWO adjacent wires are exposed, call Elmo the Electrician.