Holey Screens Batman

 Holey Screens Batman !

Attics and sub-floor areas are generally required to be ventilated to prevent excessive buildup of heat or moisture. You might not want to spend a lot of time in your attic or crawlspace but there are plenty of critters who would.  We put screens on the vents to keep out unwanted guests.  

When I’m inspecting a home, I often find evidence of common rodents. It’s a little more unusual to see signs of bats, possums, raccoons, squirrels, or skunks.  If there’s a tree branch overhanging the roof, it’s an invitation for them to try to get into the attic. Or if the sub-floor access screen isn’t in place, they’ll make themselves at home under your home.

 These animals are generally nocturnal and home inspections generally take place during daylight hours. That means when I’m working, they’re sleeping and my flashlight wakes them.  No animal likes to be cornered and if I spot one, the inspection of that part of the house is over. The heart rate really goes up if there’s a skunk or a snake.
 Unfortunately, time, the elements, and we humans have a way of deteriorating just about everything. Screens rust out, tear, or get punctured by branches.  You might find a hole or two for TV or phone cables or even the extension cord for the Christmas lights. 
When was the last time you checked your screens? Never? Most people don’t. You could be the first on your block. Just walk around the outside and look up at the attic vents.  You might need one of those high powered flashlights.  If you have a raised foundation, check out those openings too. 
Sometimes there are some unplanned openings.  There might be a gap where one roof meets another or in the eaves. You’ll want to be sure they’re screened.  Also, look wherever a pipe penetrates the wall.  The smaller openings can be sealed with steel wool, caulk, or expanding foam.
If you’ve ever smelled a dead critter in the walls, you know it’s important for them to leave before expiring. How do you get them to leave?  One method is moth balls.  Who likes the smell of moth balls? Another method is to call an exterminator or wildlife trapper. If you would rather not kill the intruders, there are ways to make it uncomfortable for them so they leave. They can be trapped and relocated.  And what keeps them from returning? Your screens.
 I saw a very civilized method of assuring if Mr. Possum leaves, he does not return. A hole at the eave was covered with a piece of plywood that had a spring loaded hinged door.  When Mr. P went out for a night of gallivanting the door allowed passage, but when he wanted to come back in, no way. Very clever those humans.  Now Mr. P has to stay in someone else’s nice warm attic. 
Please don’t close off the vents. Perhaps in an effort to keep heating costs down, someone thought covering the opening was a good idea. It’s not.  When the house is painted be sure to protect the screens from spray to prevent clogging. Moisture in the attic or sub-floor is an invitation for the really small microscopic “critters” we call mold. If there is a musty odor coming from the enclosed space, you might not have enough ventilation. If you decide to add some ventilation ports, just be sure that they have screens.