If any of your summer projects involve working in the attic, take special care to be safe in this area of your home. Working in the attic presents conditions and challenges that you won’t find elsewhere.

Here are some suggestions for staying safe during attic projects:

• Prepare your tools and supplies. Space will be limited in the attic, so prepare your tools and materials in advance so that you’ll know what you’re taking with you. Put tools in a belt or a small toolbox. Having the exact tools you need will save time and prevent the need for frequent trips up and down the ladder to the attic.
• Put on protective clothing. Attics are going to be filled with dust, particles of insulation, and other material that can irritate your skin. Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, gloves, and even a cap to keep insulation off your skin and out of your hair. Wear kneepads if you’ll be kneeling on joists or beams. Make sure your work boots have sufficient tread to give you good traction. If possible, wear coveralls or other overgarment, or old clothing that can be disposed of when you’re done.
• Wear a respirator and goggles. The particulates in your attic can also be damaging to your eyes and lungs, so wear goggles and a respirator to prevent exposure. If you don’t have a respirator available, a cloth or paper mask may be sufficient to protect you for short periods.
• Beware of the heat. Attics can get extremely hot in the summer, particularly those with little or no insulation. Temperatures can rise to dangerous levels quickly if direct sunlight is hitting the roof. Work on cool days or in the mornings or at night when the outdoor temperatures are lower. Otherwise, take frequent breaks, including a few outside the attic area, to avoid being overwhelmed by the heat.

You should also beware of clutter too close to any HVAC equipment in your attic. Ideally to properly service and maintain a safe operating zone around your HVAC equipment you should leave at least 18″-24″ of walk space all around the unit. If you have walk boards from the attic access to the equipment you should make sure that the walk boards are clear of obstruction to make it safe for both you and any contractors who may be called to work in that space.

Since 2001, Powers Heating and Air has been a top choice for HVAC sales, service, and installation in Peachtree City, Sharpsburg, Newnan and the neighboring communities. Contact us today for more information on how to be safe when working in your home’s attic.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.

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