Originally Posted by
Lynn Petrie
. . . do you put in your report that you could not inspect the attic becuase there was no flooring? Or do you take the chance and walk through the insulation and hope you walk on the joists ?
If I can physically get into the attic I will walk the trusses or joists, even when they are covered with insulation. I'm not leaving it to chance, either. I gauge where each truss bottom chord (or joist) is based on where the other truss components (or the rafters) are. When I can't see the bottom chord (or joist) I carefully feel my way along with my feet or sometimes move the insulation over slightly when there is any doubt about what I am about to step on.
When there are 2X4 trusses they will almost aways be covered with insulation (except above unconditioned areas, e.g., garages). I can't see how one can properly inspect an attic without actually walking through the attic.
I agree with the others - it looks like there has been an attic fire. Did you also point out the cut rafters at the entrance to the the other attic and the structural repairs (added 2X4 vertical members)?