Repairing Attic Damage in Salt Lake City
Wildlife can cause damage far beyond just what you can see.
Several wildlife animals, like raccoons and squirrels, can cause unimaginable issues for residents. After the wildlife has been removed, the ectoparasites they carry often still remain inside your home, and will move inside to find a new host. Often times, this new host is you (or your pets or loved ones).
Common ectoparasites may include bat bugs, mites, ticks, fleas. Frequent carriers of these ectoparasites include mice, bats and other critters. As soon as your wildlife problems are resolved, feel free to request additional damage inspection in your crawl space or attic by one of our wildlife management specialists.
Wildlife Urine & Feces Removal
Nuisance animals often leave behind feces or urine stains on the ceilings and walls. It's not safe to live with these hanging over your head. Animals such as raccoons are infamous for utilizing a single defined area as a bathroom, and unfortunately, this is often your attic. Damage to insulation can lead to matted insulation and a decreased R-value (the effectiveness of your insulation compared to cost). Wildlife animal stains can leave behind seriously unpleaasnt odors, as well. Salt Lake City's team has a wealth of experience when it comes to getting even the toughest stains and odors out, though, so call us today and ask how we can help!
Removing Insulation & Installing Insulation in Attic
Let our attic restoration professionals remove your animal-soiled attic insulation and replace it with your choice of insulation products. Our specialists can prepare insurance bids and work with most major insurance companies to restore your attic to its former pre-animal state.
A properly insulated attic will pay for itself in energy savings, so be sure to ask about any available energy tax credits. Attics are one of the easiest places in a house to insulate, especially if you’d like to “cap” your existing attic insulation. Before insulating or deciding whether to add attic insulation, visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s website to see if your existing attic insulation measures up. Chances are it doesn’t match current government recommendations.
Upon request, our attic insulation specialists measure your existing attic insulation during our Animal Entry inspections and let you know if you need to add more insulation to match the U.S. Department of Energy’s guidelines. Many attic insulation materials can be difficult to work with. Let the professionals at Critter Control install your attic insulation. We can also remove attic insulation that has been soiled/damaged and dispose of it for you.
Warning: If you think you have vermiculite insulation in your attic, there's a chance it could contain asbestos. Don't disturb it. Only attic insulation contractors certified to handle and remove asbestos should deal with vermiculite insulation.
What To Know Before You Install Insulation
Here are some insulation tips to consider before installing any type of insulation in your attic:
- Seal all attic-to-home air leaks. The majority of insulation doesn't restrict airflow.
- Duct exhaust fans to the outside. Use a tight box to cover fan housing on the attic side. Seal around the duct where it exits the box. Seal the perimeter of the box to the drywall on attic side.
- Cover openings — such as dropped ceilings, soffits, and bulkheads — into attic area with plywood and seal to the attic side of the ceiling.
- Seal around chimney and framing with a high-temperature caulk or furnace cement.
- Near the top of inside walls, use long-lasting caulk to seal the smaller gaps. Use expanding foam or rigid foam board insulation for the bigger gaps.
- Make sure insulation doesn't block soffit vents to allow for attic ventilation.
- Water stains and marks on the ceiling are indicative of ventilation and roof leak problems.
- Install blocking (metal flashing) to maintain fire-safety clearance requirements (usually 3 inches) for heat-producing equipment found in an attic, such as flues, chimneys, exhaust fans, and light housings/fixtures unless the light fixtures are IC (insulation contact) rated. IC-rated lights are airtight and can be covered with insulation.
- Make repairs before you insulate. Wet insulation isn't effective and can damage your home.
- Also insulate and air-seal your attic access if it's located in an air-conditioned part of the house.
- You'll want to make sure you insulate and air seal any vertical walls with attic space behind them (these are called knee walls) — in your home as well.
- Lastly, if you're constructing a new home or remodeling, make sure any attic decking, which provides additional storage space or a platform for an HVAC unit or hot water tank, is raised above the ceiling joists to ensure proper insulation depth. The decking then should be installed securely to the top of the raised lumber after the insulation has been installed.
Whether you think you have an animal in your attic or need help with attic insulationclean-up, contact Critter Control today. We have extensive wildlife attic damage experience and can help get your attic back in shape in no time. Give us a call today at 801.997.9965! Or Contact Us using our online form.
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This franchise is independently licensed and operated by Eco Services, LLC, dba Critter Control of Salt Lake City