If you are like most homeowners you probably haven’t had your attic thoroughly cleaned or looked into attic services in a very long time. Many homeowners don’t clean their attic unless they experience problems such as rodent infestation or a leak in their roof prompts action.

While it is understandable that you may not be mindful of your attic, this oversight can result in big problems over time. Leaks can go unnoticed, rodent infestations can gain traction and spread, and damaged or insufficient insulation can lead to higher energy costs. All of these problems can result in a substantial attic decontamination cost that might otherwise be avoided with regular attic cleanup and decontamination.

In this article, we’ll explore the many benefits of attic decontamination services. Some of these benefits may be surprising to you. Whether it is to address long-standing health issues stemming from a dirty attic, or to boost the energy efficiency of your home, utilizing attic cleanup and decontamination services are a necessary component of home maintenance that shouldn’t be overlooked. You may be unaware on signs you need an attic cleanup until it’s too late.  

What is Attic Cleanup and Decontamination?

If you aren’t familiar with what an attic cleanup and decontamination service is, it can be difficult to understand exactly how it is useful. This service is far more than simply removing old junk from an attic. While removing junk and debris is part of the service, other important components can also have a big impact on your home.

A professional attic cleanup service can include activities like:

• Removing junk and debris that has built up.
• Assessing the health and adequacy of your insulation.
• Removing old or contaminated insulation.
• Installing new insulation.
• Identifying, removing and decontaminating a rodent infestation.
• Addressing a rodent problem and proofing the attic space.
• Identifying a leaky or damaged roof.
• Identification and remediation of mold.
• Dust and debris removal.

The wide range of activities that may be included in a professional attic cleaning and decontamination effort highlights the fact that the state of the attic itself will have a big impact on what needs to be done. For example, if you have a rodent infestation you’ll need to remove the animal waste and infestation, decontaminate, rodent-proof the attic, and install new insulation. If it has been many years since you have had your attic cleaned, the level of work  and removal services necessary to restore it will be higher than if you have your attic cleaned on an annual basis.

Core Benefits of Attic Cleaning

Attic cleaning should be a regular part of home maintenance. Regular attic cleaning can reduce the number of allergens and toxins in the air circulating in your home, reduce your monthly utility costs, and reduce maintenance costs over time. Let’s take a look at each of these benefits in greater detail. 

Reduced Toxins and Irritants

You may not realize just how much of an impact your home can have on your health. On the surface, the link between the state of your home and your overall health makes sense when you consider how much time you spend in your home. A 2009 study by the United States Office of the Surgeon General highlights the clear link between the condition of a home and the health of its occupants. Indoor air quality, in particular, can cause asthma-related conditions to become worse and contribute to other respiratory issues.

The Surgeon General’s report indicates that, aside from obvious contaminants like secondhand smoke, carbon monoxide, and radon gas, the two most common irritants in a home are dust mite allergens and allergens from rodents. The report found that 82% of homes in the United States have detectable levels of mouse allergens, 84% have a bedroom with detectable levels of dust mite allergens, and 63% of homes have detectable levels of cockroach allergens.

These startling statistics reinforce the concept that both the dust in your home and exposure to a rodent infestation can impact the health of your home. 

The top benefits of having your attic cleaned and decontaminated are that it improves the air quality in your home, improves energy efficiency, and helps identify small problems early on before they become big issues.

The importance of cleaning and decontaminating your attic can’t be understated. Rather than viewing this as a project for when you first buy or sell a home, attic cleaning should be done regularly to maximize the benefit it provides. Regular attic cleaning will ensure settled dust levels remain low, rodent infestations are kept at bay, and your insulation is functioning properly. Without it, you end up needing a full attic insulation removal and replacement.