Originally Posted By: ajones1 This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Inspected a 1970’s ranch in Minneola Florida. A 2 story (main floor with basement), the living area and master BR had vaulted ceilings but the other rooms were eight footers. There was no attic access, scuttle nor pulldown, anywhere! Not in any room, closets, baths, kitchen, porch! Man! Talking about freaking out! Anybody ever heard of such?
Originally Posted By: mboyett This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I recently had a similar experience. The home did have a scuttle entrance in a utility room but it had been covered over in the attic with plywood. I really scratched my head about how to gain attic access. I finally found an access door outside on the gable. The siding had been carefully cut and hinges installed on one side and the other side had two screws to hold the ‘door’ shut. Everything had been painted the same color so it was very difficult to see but it was there. I reached it with my ladder and had great access to the attic after that.
Originally Posted By: dbowers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I’ve run into it 2-3 times. In my cases each time there had been a fire and the seller drywalled over the access so nobody would find the charred wood. When I saw no attic access the 1st time, I recommended installing one and checking the attic prior to closing. Fortunately the buyers did some snooping in the neighborhood AND discovered about the fire.
After the 1st time, I simply relayed the story the next 2 times. Sellers are so much fun for an unsuspecting inspectors liability.
Originally Posted By: sspradling This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
A couple of years back, I was inspecting a rehabbed property, and there was no attic access. The buyers agent contacted the seller and handed me the phone. The seller said “cut a hole, I don’t care” I thought about it for a few minutes-can you say liability? So I make a rookie mistake, I went to the 'burb and got a drywall saw, marked off some lines to cut through and went at it. As I finished the last inch of cutting, I felt resistance on the saw, so I slowed down. When the panel came out, I realized I had been cutting through electric wires. Called an electrician to splice the damaged wire, and learned a lesson: let someone else cut access holes. Be careful of wire routing when entering small scuttles, it may be nicked or otherwise damaged.
Originally Posted By: dbush This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Had one I looked all over the place for an entrance, couldn’t find one. Looked outside AGAIN, at the gable end and realized that it was screwed on; there was an “access” through the gable end vent. Worked pretty well once I knew how to get into it.
Originally Posted By: rhinck This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Just happened to me this week on a brand new construction. I spent 20 minutes retracing and looking- there just was not any access!!! I wrote it up with the caution that there m ore than liking was not any ceiling insulation either.
Originally Posted By: jjackson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Just happened to me, too. Older house—about 85 years old. Asked the agent-asked the tennant. No body knew. The upper hallways had drop ceilings, and I suspect they were under there. Like the man said—readily accessible.
Originally Posted By: ajones1 This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I contacted the seller via the agent as was told this home (built in 1996 not 1970) never had any attic access. Well at least I wasn’t going blind! But it is curious that they let approximately 700 sf of attic space be built inaccessable.
Thanks for the info from the rest of you. Maybe this will help someone else in the future.
Originally Posted By: dvalley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
NO ACCESS.
I simply annotate it in my report and I inform my clients that I am unable to inspect the attic cavity.
I vaguely remember a code that states "if the roof cavity is less than 30", then an access is not required". You can usually judge this distance by the slope of the roof (above knee wall) and the ceiling itself.
There was one inspection, where my client wanted this cavity exposed right there on site. The seller happened to be there and he agreed to open up the cavity. He quickly got his hammer and started banging out the plaster from the ceiling. After he chopped away a good size hole, I scaled my ladder and crawled about to do my inspection. He told my clients not to worry about the mess, that he'll install a nice scuttle cover.
Originally Posted By: kmcmahon This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
dbush wrote:
Had one I looked all over the place for an entrance, couldn't find one. Looked outside AGAIN, at the gable end and realized that it was screwed on; there was an "access" through the gable end vent. Worked pretty well once I knew how to get into it.
Originally Posted By: jmurray This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
ajones1 wrote:
Inspected a 1970's ranch in Minneola Florida. A 2 story (main floor with basement), the living area and master BR had vaulted ceilings but the other rooms were eight footers. There was no attic access, scuttle nor pulldown, anywhere! Not in any room, closets, baths, kitchen, porch! Man! Talking about freaking out! Anybody ever heard of such?
Yep, did one last week 109 year old stone house with slate shingles. No attic access anywhere. Even the client and Realtor went looking when I told them  !
-- "A little less conversation and a little more action"!
Originally Posted By: jhugenroth This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I have seen it a couple of times, both were on rehabbed houses, and they were covered up.
I also inspected an old Craftsman style home where the slats on the gable end were in a groove and just slid sideways. I had looked all over for an access door. I was ready to remove a couple of the slats till I saw they were just installed between two trim boards and could move.