At Stu’s Loft Ladders, we think that every home would benefit from using the loft space for storage, however we are aware that not everyone does. Indeed, you may be a homeowner who never goes up into the loft. If that is the case, you should still be checking at regular intervals that everything is OK up there.
One of the main problems to check for in lofts is woodworm. Often, we have pointed this out to homeowners when carrying out loft boarding or fitting loft ladders to customers who were totally unaware. The peak months for woodworm activity are between May and October when the weather is warmer. Tell-tale signs include tiny holes in the surface of the timbers and fine dust, called frass, around any holes. Left untreated, woodworm can lead to weakened timbers and cause structural problems.
Other unwanted loft visitors
Other visitors that can cause damage are rodents. Mice can go undetected in a loft space and can cause damage to electrical cables as they seem to have a taste for gnawing on the the plastic casings. Look for small, black droppings and shredded materials. Mice also leave a strong ammonia-like smell, which is a reliable indicator of their presence.
It’s not just mice that like to make a home in lofts. Squirrels and birds are also commonly found in loft spaces, so always check out any strange noises that seem to come from there.
If you have a large number of wasps in your garden, there is likely to be a nest nearby. Wasps’ nests can often grow quite large (to the size of a football) before they are detected. If you discover a nest, never try to tackle it yourself – it is definitely a job for the professionals.
Checking for roof damage and damp
It can be hard to get a view from outside to see the health of all parts of your roof. Good practice is to check inside the loft from time to time to see that all is well. Turn the lights off and check for any daylight coming in to indicate any gaps. Also check for any changes in timbers that might indicated moisture.
Fit a fixed ladder
A fixed ladder makes going up to the loft safe and hassle free. Stu’s Loft Ladders offers a range of ladder to suit a variety of homes and budgets. See our services page for more details http://www.stusloftladders.co.uk/services/