Video: How to professionally enter an attic

A true mark of professionalism for any home inspector or home service technician is the ability to enter and exit an attic without leaving any evidence. This requires finesse and diligence, and it’s something that can be learned over time; however, this video should accelerate the learning curve.

Key points:

• Use drop cloths or painter’s poly to catch debris. Cover clothing and other personal belongings.
• Assume your ladder is dirty, don’t put it on the carpet.
• Always wear a respirator when entering an attic. I like the “Bane” mask.
• Use a headlamp, not a flashlight. It keeps your hands free, and you won’t accidentally lose it. My favorite for the past two years has been the Fenix HM71R.
• Wear gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints on the attic panel. I like the semi-disposable Wells Lamont Nitrile Work Gloves. They’re about a buck a pair, and they last quite a long time.
• If a panel is sprayed shut, bump it open. Don’t cut it, because it won’t look good when you’re done.
• Set up a ladder as high as possible to make accessing the attic easier. I’ve always used a Little Giant ladder.
• If needed, adjust your ladder after opening the scuttle hole so you don’t have to do a pull-up to access the attic.
• If you need to move any personal belongings, return them to their original position exactly as they were.