Cleaning out the Attic

It started out as an Energy Audit...

When we had our new furnace installed recently, our HVAC guy suggested we get an energy audit done.  Our house has extreme temperature differences on the upper and lower floors.  Part of this is because it is a raised ranch, and the lower level is half underground.  So the basement will always be cooler.  However, the difference was over 15 degrees.  While we tried to keep the upstairs comfortable at 75 degrees, it was a chilly 60 degrees in the basement, where some living areas are.  Imagine wrapping up in blankets and sweaters when it's in the 90s outside!

We arranged for the energy audit, which showed leaks around lighting fixtures, doorways, windows, outlets, and the attic access.  After seeing the results, it was suggested, among other things, to add extra insulation to the attic.  The insulation already there was 44 years old.  Needless to say, it has seen better days.

So we scheduled for the company to come out.  However, it wasn't as simple as it would seem.  Our house, being a raised ranch, has no storage to speak of.  There is a small walk-in closet in the back that leads to an even smaller room where the hot water heater is housed.  All of our holiday boxes are stored in our attic with many other boxes of random items.  We had to empty out everything!

So on a nice hot day in August, we pulled down all the Christmas boxes (about 40), the Halloween boxes, the Easter boxes, 15 boxes of my daughter's stuff she packed up from her bedroom, and some random boxes of our own.  We couldn't pile them in the house, because the energy people had to get to all the windows and outlets.  So some went into the family room downstairs, and the rest went into the garage.  Yes, my car is parked on the driveway right now. 

Our plan was to put the boxes back when they were done.  However, the installers had other plans.  The new insulation is much thicker and increased by 12 inches over the supports.  The plywood floors, therefore, are twelve inches higher than they used to be. Now consider the slope of the roof.  Make your floor 12 inches higher, and you lose all the space around the edges, and have limited space in the middle.  We could never stand in our attic, but now we can't even stoop.  We have to crawl. 

That said, what do we do with everything?  We're not sure yet.    Right now, we are going through some of the old cardboard boxes, getting rid of what we can, then packing everything into new plastic totes with locking lids.  We bought clear totes so even though we will label them, we can still see the contents. 

We threw away empty boxes from an old computer and monitor, bags of shredding we were going to use for packing (but we never sold the house), boxes of packing paper and bubble wrap that had silverfish living in them, and some tattered decorations.  My daughter started going through her boxes, and out of the six she has gone through, she has four full ones full of donations. 

We are making progress, however slowly.  (Add a new puppy and skunks to the list, and life has been hectic.)  Our goal is to find a home for everything before it gets cold.  I have to get my car back in the garage for the winter.  At least we are down to five boxes left from the living room project my husband started with his new television.  I will keep you posted!

Maximizing Space in Your Attic

Tips for Tuesday

Using attics for storage can be good or bad. If the attic is temperature and/or humidity controlled, or if you can access it easily through a door, there isn't a problem. But when the only attic you have is through a tiny hole at the top of a closet, and the only thing in there is insulation and a light bulb, that presents a challenge.

If you don't need the extra storage because you have a basement, then your attic doesn't matter. But in a small house with no basement, the attic can provide adequate storage for many items. You can use it to store off season items like holiday decorations, or toys the children have outgrown but will be handed down in the family.

To make the most of your attic, first make it accessible. If the only access is through a closet, then install a drop-down ladder in a hallway. This will make it easier to bring boxes up/down, and the opening will be larger. Second, make sure it is well lit so you can see every corner. You don't want to place boxes near wires or pipes.

Most attics are not built with floors. You have several options. First, if you can get plywood up into the attic, you can create your own floor. Or you can purchase 2ft by 2ft squares that will fit over the supports in the floor. These are usually available at home improvement stores. Or, go with a company like AtticTrac, http://www.attictrac.com/, that works with a system of boards and pulleys. There is no need to crawl through your attic to find anything. You can just pull it toward you and push it back.

Make the most of your space by utilizing low areas at the slope of the roof for small or long, narrow objects. Hang garment bags from the ceiling for clothing. Install hooks for hanging up holidays decorations like wreaths.

Be mindful of the climate in your attic. If there is no temperature control, do not keep candles (which will melt in the heat) or snow globes (which will freeze in extreme cold) up there. Delicate crystal will not withstand long periods of extreme cold either.

Use plastic bins to keep out the moisture, but do not use them for antique clothes/quilts or other delicates that need to breathe. And never store photos in your attic, as the moisture will curl/warp the pictures and negatives.

Finally, watch for pests. Do not use cardboard boxes in your attic, because bugs can crawl into them, and mice can chew through them. Plastic bins sealed tightly will keep out most insects and four-legged critters. If your house attracts bees/wasps, watch for signs of nests. If you ever see moisture on your ceiling, or dark spots, then take a look up there immediately. Take care of any issues quickly before you lose your belongings or your house.