The following hints & tips ensure that big space overhead does it's job throughout the year. Insulation should be an even thickness totaling 9 inches or more; ventilation should be 1 square foot of vent area per 150 - 300 square feet of attic floor space; all bathroom & kitchen exhaust fans as well as plumbing vents should terminate into the outside air; roof penetrations and chimneys should be checked for wetness and/or water stains; and the structural framing should be stable without sagging or separations. Darkened areas on the underside of the roof deck and adjacent rafters or trusses could be mold resulting from high indoor humidity. During the colder months, the attic air should be close to outdoor air temperature which indicates adequate insulation and ventilation. Warm attic air (winter or summer), roof snow melting much quicker than ground snow, and lots of icicles mean ventilation and/or insulation should be increased. One final note: wear a good respirator and goggles while trekking your attic. As always, my phone line is open to your questions.

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