Special offer

Six reasons to have the attic inspected #6

By
Education & Training

Squirrel, Raccoon and Rodent Damage

The first sign that a critter has been living in the attic is often evidence discovered in the form of tiny pellets.

Squirrels, raccoons or rodents often enter attics through the eaves or loose boards and can cause considerable damage.


In an inspection of the attic, squirrels had ate through the insulation around pipes and they chewed through the Romex plastic coating, down to the bare wires.

The seller had tossed poison into the attic, then forgot about the situation and did not disclose any of it to the buyer.

As a result, we found three dead squirrels, which were removed.

On top of the damage and potential for fire from exposed wiring, the insulation now posed a health risk and required replacing.

All together, this job was priced at almost $5,000 to fix. And guess who paid it? It wasn't the buyer, thank goodness!

Associate Broker Falmouth MA Cape Cod Heath Coker
https://teamcoker.robertpaul.com - Falmouth, MA
Heath Coker Berkshire Hathaway HS Robert Paul Prop

I was in an attic last week that had one inch of insulation. Can u say heat bills?

Dec 19, 2009 02:55 AM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Hi Eragorn,

Thank you for sharing an informative and helpful article.

John Pusa

Dec 19, 2009 03:34 AM
Eragorn Francis
Moose Jaw, SK
Business Owner

Heath,  I would not want that heating bill, not in Sk, -50 some days.

Seasons Greetings

Dec 19, 2009 03:39 AM
Eragorn Francis
Moose Jaw, SK
Business Owner

Hi John, I try to put helpful and interesting info, as not to, just take up space.

thanks for your comments, Season's Greetings.

Dec 19, 2009 03:41 AM
John Mulkey
TheHousingGuru.com - Waleska, GA
Housing Guru

Eragorn - Critters can pose a significant health problem both to owner and structure.  The best cure is to locate and block the entrance whenever possible.

Dec 19, 2009 04:29 AM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

Hey, Eragorn - You mean I'm supposed to go up in the attic and look around for dead critters, chewed wiring, pellets.... LOL

Happy New Year!

Dec 28, 2009 04:20 AM
Eragorn Francis
Moose Jaw, SK
Business Owner

Very cool pic!

Dec 28, 2009 06:49 AM