This time, not far from the access hatch, I found something I have not seen before. There was an open hole. I peaked down that hole and, estimate here, I would say it went down about fifteen feet. Probably, at one point, a chimney was going to go through there, but that was a plan maybe, but it was never installed. Can you say H-O-L-E?
This hole creates three obvious problems: (1) missing insulation, (2) missing fire-stopping so a fire below could more easily draw into the attic, (3) a danger to a person working in the attic. Falling down that hole would be serious. There is no question about it that the repair has to be done right. Merely stapling cardboard over the hole, putting insulation in place, makes it almost for sure that someone will end up going down the hole. This needs to be repaired in a manner that is safe. People have to work in attics and that location, so near the hatch, is a logical place for someone to pause while traversing to another location. That person does not want to be going, going, gone.
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
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