12 fire hazards that can hide in their attic

Incorrect cabling

Find signs of incorrect or outdated cables when inspecting your loft. “Expanded cables, exposed wires or splice connections can be all red flags,” says Rick Sheets, Vice President for Surveillance and Compliance at Brinks Home.

If you notice frayed or exposed cables – or really everything that doesn't look in the square – call a licensed electrician immediately. “Electrical problems are one of the main causes of attic fires, and an attempt to try DIY corrections can try to make the problem worse,” says Blechen. “This is particularly important if you use your attic for storage, since cardboard boxes, fabrics and old furniture can serve as fuel if incorrect cabling solves a fire.”

Signs of rodents

Most homeowners may not have a rodent problem with the risk of a house fire, but the current estimates lead rodents for 20 to 25 percent of the fires with unknown causes, says Brad Woods, District Manager of the TRUTECH Wildlife Service in Dallas-Fort Worth.

“Rats and mice gnaw on electric wires in attics, in walls or in cellars,” says Woods. “These frayed wires increase the risk of house fires.” The two most obvious signs of rodent infestation are scratches or squeaky noises above their ceiling or in the wall and feces along the baseboards and in the kitchen.

Prevention is the best rodent control. “Roll out protection, food and water in your garden so that rodents are not drawn from your property,” advises Woods. “Keep your garden properly, remove standing water and secure the trash. If you have rats or mice, take care of the problem immediately.”

Extension cable and power strips

Overloaded sales outlets or extension cables are another problem, especially if they are used for permanent performance. “Extension cables and power strips should never be a permanent solution in one attic,” says Sheets.

“Too many devices that draw electricity from a single circuit can lead to overheating, sparking or stolp breakers – and if you keep flammable objects nearby, such as old clothes, bed linen or seasonal decorations, an overheated cord could quickly turn into a dangerous situation.” The safest option is that an electrician installs additional circuits for the required load.

Leckische roof

You may not consider a leak as a risk of fire, but it can certainly be. If water can penetrate your roof due to a tear or damage that should not be available, the water may come into contact with electrical wiring in your attic, warns Andre Kazimierski, co -owner and president at Homehero Roofing.

“If this happens, there may be short circuits or sparks that ignite and fly, which immediately leads to a potential fire,” he says. “If you inspect your attic, look for signs of DACH leak. If you find something, contact a professional if you cannot repair it yourself.”

Overloaded circuits

If your breakers occur frequently or the sockets feel warm, the circuit can be more loaded than you can be designed, which can lead to electrical fires, says Geremey Engle, owner and inspector at Ellingwood Pro. “Add special circuits for attic lighting, fan, HLK systems or everything else you have there,” says Engle.

To ensure that your electric panel is securely balanced, contact a licensed electrician.

Gutter structure

Another unsuspecting risk of loft is to build up in your gutters. Rümmer such as pine needles and leaves can accumulate and become flammable after drying out, says Cullen Rodgers, product innovation manager at Gutterglove Inc. “If these debris can expose the edge of the roof and the fire can make the attic into the attic easier,” he says. “You have to clean your gutters regularly or install the gutters to prevent this.”

Used lighting

Many older houses still have not evaluated lights that do not come into contact with insulation, warns Cory Lyons, the brand president at Koala Isolation.

“If insulation touches these devices, it can create a dangerous combination,” explains Lyons. “Building regulations now require at least three inches large release between non-IC devices and insulation to prevent overheating and potential fire.”

Old or damaged insulation

Old or damaged insulation can be more susceptible to overheating and may not meet today's security standards. “The insulation, which is packed against in -depth lights or deductions, can be dangerous,” says Reuben Saltzman, CEO at Struction Tech Home Inspections. “The same applies to Chimneys and ventilation pipes – the insulation should not touch them.”

Replacing the old insulation with modern, fire -resistant materials protects your home and at the same time improves comfort. And you know that moisture damage can also affect the overtime of the insulation and increase the fire risk.

Hot water tanks

In some areas of the country, Hot Water tank are positioned in the attic in the attic. “Over time, the electrical components can be corroded and caused a fire,” he warns.

Missing AFCI reporting

Many houses are equipped with ARC fault circuit breakers, which are security devices that protect houses from fires due to damaged cabling, explains Evan Jones, expert in electrical security. However, many have no AFCI reporting in attics. “It is important to react appropriately to damage that can occur on the attic cables,” he warns.

“For example, if you had problems with animals in your attic – such as squirrels, rodents or birds – you can check an electrician for the damage to the wiring. It is possible that these animals were chewing by cords.”

Bird's car

You will probably find them around the outside of your house, says Rodgers, but make sure that you are not sitting on your outer lighting or roofing where you could represent potential fire hazards.

Metal chimber tube

Older houses with wooden furnaces and pipes can have gaps that let it escape the warmth, and or sparks that can ignite combustible materials, says Summers. Keep caution when you use them.