If you’ve just moved or are about to move soon, you’ve probably decluttered, organized, and trimmed down a lot. Having said that, there are a few necessities for your new house that you may find better off keeping out of the way in a crawlspace or attics, since you won’t be using them very often.
Although everyone is familiar with what attics are, let’s define crawlspace in this context as the space just beneath the roofline rather than the actual underside of the home. In light of this, here are some pointers for making the most of this area and avoiding issues later on.
Listen to Your Nose
Does your attic or crawlspace smell musty or, worse, wet when you’re up there looking around? If so, it’s time to find the source of the odor and put on a protective breathing mask.
Observe the entire area. Is there enough ventilation, such as through gable vents or roof vents, and are these vents obstructed by badly placed insulation? Is weatherstripping present around windows, pipes, and chimneys? Should any of these essentials be missing, you might need to visit your nearby hardware shop or perhaps hire a professional.
Another significant problem may be mice, insects, or even native wildlife, which can ultimately gnaw through wood, insulation, and cables. Make sure you seal or block off any potential access sites and keep an eye out for telltale indications like nests or droppings. To permanently eradicate the issue, we also advise hiring an exterminator.
Keep Moisture and Mold at Bay
The ideal conditions for the growth of mold, mildew, and wood rot are produced by extreme temperature swings, structural wood beams, and insufficient insulation. These not only have the potential to seriously harm your health, but they will gradually deteriorate your house.
Reducing the amount of condensation in your attic is the best defense against moisture and mold. Make sure there’s a water vapor liner in place before you begin arranging your stuff there. They are often made of plastic. If not, think of this as one of your very first do-it-yourself home improvement jobs. Another option is to hire a qualified specialist to install mold-resistant insulation. Apply a mold inhibitor or disinfectant to the attic or crawlspace after giving it a good cleaning.
Attics and crawlspaces offer a lot of storage space when used properly. Decide what belongs there and what doesn’t. Best suited for storage in an attic or crawl space are ceramic and glass objects, cookware, luggage, sports equipment, and decorations since they are typically sturdy and resistant to all but the most extreme temperature fluctuations. Conversely, items such as fragile textiles, candles, upholstered furniture, books, priceless documents or images, electronics, paints, and solvents should never be placed under the eaves.
Sort the Items by Subject
Sort related goods into groups and store them in storage containers, bins, and boxes with labels. Disperse the containers as widely as you can: It is difficult to inspect your building or electrical wiring for concealed damage or pests when stacked boxes are present. You may gain even more space by adding shelves around the perimeter of the area if there is sufficient height to allow for walking.
To keep pests and moisture damage at bay, store clothes and other fabric goods in tightly sealed plastic containers. Caster or wheeled bins are perfect for navigating uneven flooring. Mesh bags and milk containers work nicely in a pinch for smaller goods.
Expert advice: Avoid using cardboard crates. Your belongings will be destroyed, they will rot, and vermin will adore them.
Maintain Vigilance
Make it a routine to inspect your crawlspace or attic once a month. Keep an eye out for any insect activity, keep an eye on the humidity and temperature, and seal off any new cracks. Have a yard sale or post goods on the internet if it looks like stuff is building up.
Is There Anything Remaining?
If you recently moved into your house, you could discover that the previous occupants left items in the crawlspace or attics. Try phoning their realtor to arrange for a time to pick up the goods if it seems like more of a case of forgetfulness than laziness. Don’t forget about the items you have stashed there as well if you’re relocating.
Are you planning to move soon? Request a free quote from Zenith Moving.
