For many homeowners, it may seem like a galaxy far, far away even though it lies right over their head: their attic.

The U.S. Department of Energy seems to know how galactic a challenge many homeowners face when they want to venture into their attic and inspect the condition of the insulation. To help prepare them for this odyssey, the department has brought the exercise back down to earth in the form of some straightforward steps.

The department makes no bones about it: nothing compares to a thorough Las Vegas attic insulation inspection– like those that First Quality Roofing & Insulation are known for. But if your curiosity has gotten the best of you, be sure to heed the department's advice as you venture into the space of your attic.

Gather your “pre-launch” tools

Before you launch into inspection mode, gather the tools you'll need:

• A flashlight or headlight
• A hard hat or other strong hat to protect your head
• Safety glasses
• Gloves
• A dust or protective face mask
• A tape measure
• Sturdy boards to support your weight, if needed

Dodge the “meteors”

The unfamiliarity of your attic terrain might tempt you to hurry through your Las Vegas attic insulation inspection, but it's smart to take a good look around first to identify any issues that might jeopardize your safety. So use your flashlight to identify – and sidestep:

• Exposed ceiling drywall and insulation. (Walk on joists or truss chords or use the sturdy wooden boards to support your weight.)
• Nails jutting up through the ceiling or down from the roof deck.
• Vermiculite insulation, which is gray, flaky and the size of peas. This type of insulation may contain asbestos and should be avoided.

Survey your “galaxy”

Now look across your attic and decide:

• Whether you can see any floor joists. If you cannot – or if the insulation rests above the joists – you probably have enough insulation.
• Whether the insulation is level with or falls below the floor joists. If it does, you probably need more insulation.
• Whether the insulation is equally distributed across your attic. Look for dips, drops and low spots, especially around he walls and corners. Though typical, this too is a sign that you probably need more insulation.

Take one step or another

As you hone in on your target:

• Check the R-value of your current insulation – a two-digit number that represents its thermal performance. The department says that based on the Las Vegas climate, an attic with an existing layer of 3 or 4 inches of insulation should be outfitted with R38 to R49 insulation. If your attic is uninsulated, the value should be R49 to R60.
• Alternatively, grab your tape measure and dip it into the insulation in several places across the expanse of your attic. If you don't register a depth of at least 10 inches, you need more insulation in your attic.

In this case, the solution should be as clear as a full moon: you should call the most experienced Las Vegas attic insulation inspection company: First Quality Roofing & Insulation. We'll expertly navigate the galaxy of your attic and ensure that the insulation protects you from forces beyond your control.

Schedule your Las Vegas attic insulation inspection today at 702-262-7847.