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What is professional attic cleaning?
A professional attic cleaning service in tidying up an attic space when it’s not feasible or convenient for you to do so yourself. Generally speaking, this includes cleaning up litter, dust, pest droppings, disinfecting (where needed), and removing messy unneeded items to help keep your attic clean and prevent health issues related to dust, rodents, or mold.
How much does it cost for an attic cleaning?
Attic cleaning cost averages at about $100-$200. This cost can vary a bit depending on the area and the size of the job.
While this may seem like a large chunk of change for little benefit, the benefits are immense to the health of the home and homeowner. Having a clean attic or proper attic insulation is never something to regret.
Not only that, but they save you time as well! If you’re not familiar with attic cleaning you’l be less time-efficient than a pro.
Why do attics need to be cleaned?
Attic cleanup helps in several situations.:
- A common reason to hire professionals is the by-products of a rodent infestation. Pests leave harmful droppings and other animal waste in attic spaces.
- Another example of attics that require cleaning includes those taken over by mold or other debris. Dust can be a potential health issue for people with respiratory problems and mold can cause health issues as well due to spores present in the air.
- Dust tends to build up over time so maintenance is a good way to help remove it and keep it from becoming too much.
- Mold and mildew can grow due to moisture and a good cleaning can involve killing the mold growth to prevent serious damage or mold spore health problems.
- Clean attics with less garbage and junk are not just cleaner but also less prone to attracting rodents or insects.
- Part of attic fire prevention is reducing clutter and avoiding flammable materials near a combustion source.
Why do attics get so dusty?
Attics often get dusty because they’re low-traffic areas. Low foot traffic allows dust to settle as it will not be disturbed regularly.
Attics also commonly store air ducts. Air duct cleaning is a vital component of attic cleaning to decrease dust and improve overall cleanliness. If dust is present in your home, it often makes its way into the air and then into the lungs of you, your family, and your pets.
How often should an attic be cleaned?
An attic should be cleaned every two years. However, there are times when the space needs it more often.
Examples include rodent infestations, water and moisture concerns, holes and cracks allowing cold/hot air inside, and ineffective insulation. These require attention now with an attic cleaning service.
How do you clean an attic?
While different businesses will address specific cleaning jobs differently, there is a general process that most follow. It typically looks something like this (and changes depending on the particular needs of the customer):
Attic cleaning steps
1. Pre-Cleaning Preparation
First, professionals will look at the space to see the issues they should consider during the job. This step is important for knowing what to bring to the job site and how to prepare for the best clean possible.
Often, they will also discuss concerns with the homeowner and give a quote on the price.
2. Insulation Removal
It’s not unusual for insulation removal to be necessary for the best outcome. It happens early in the process so that it gets out of the way and space is available to clean.
New insulation is reinstalled after the sanitization has taken place. Insulation that’s been ruined by mold or pest contaminants is best removed and replaced. Bear in mind that anyone working with fiberglass insulation must take precautions like protective gear.
3. Vacuuming / Removing Solids
Next, cleaners will typically vacuum the entire attic space. The top priority is ensuring that all solids and dust are gone.
Even though attics are low-traffic areas, they still collect a lot of unwanted debris from staying stagnant for long periods.
4. Sanitizing
Sanitizing often happens by the use of a fogger, chemical sprays, or natural cleaning products like vinegar and water or diluted bleach. This step ensures that all surfaces are clean no matter what was living on them before cleaning.
Sanitization is vital in cases of rodent infestations and mold.
5. Cleanup
Any materials used to clean the attic will be removed and disposed of by the professional cleaners including waste coming from the job site. The goal is they will make it appear as if they were never there apart from the fresh cleaning they provided.
5. Walk-Through
Professional attic cleaners will often take a walk-through of the attic space with their client to ensure they are pleased. This is done to discuss the specific measures they took within the attic to repair or improve the space.
What should I look for when inspecting an attic?
When inspecting an attic, a pest infestation is one of the biggest concerns. Signs of pest infestation include:
- Rodent or animal footprints.
- Droppings or the smell of urine.
- Chewed cords and/or nests made by pests.
- Strange noise or sounds coming from above (especially in the case of birds in your attic.)
If you find these it’s a good idea to go ahead and schedule a professional cleaning especially because they can transmit disease or at the very least breed more and bring in bad odors.
Here are a few more things to look for:
- While dust and dirtiness are less urgent than a pest infestation they’re still serious problems. They can damage the quality of living in a home and carry health risks with their presence in the attic or crawl space area.
- Check fiberglass or blown insulation regularly to ensure it’s in good condition and properly in place. Improper insulation can waste thousands of dollars in heating costs. This long-term cost is much more than the cost of having the insulation fixed.
- When inspecting a personal attic, it’s very smart to make sure your personal belongings are stored efficiently. Using labeled containers and boxes can make a messy space look better and make it easier to find what one is looking for in a tight room. You’re also much less likely to attract rodents or have damage to your storage items over time.
- Check for signs of leaks, condensation, or moisture buildup. These can be a sign of a leaky roof or other problem where water can find its way into your attic and cause serious damage in addition to mold or mildew.
- Make sure vents are not blocked and work well. They’re essential for allowing heat and moisture to escape.
