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Hidden Causes of Water Damage in HomesIn addition to causing destruction, water damage also has an adverse affect to the indoor air quality of your home. Damage from water can cause wood rot, insect infestation and mold. The obvious causes of water damage are leaking roofs, windows, doors, foundation cracks and visible plumbing leaks. These are fairly easy to detect, enabling a quick repair before maximum damage occurs. The not-so-obvious culprits are moisture behind finished basement walls that are insulated with fiberglass; poor grading around foundation walls and air leaks that occur between the living space and attic. Insulating finished basement walls with fiberglass is not a good idea. Fiberglass will absorb water and not allow it to travel through the wall, preventing a drying effect. Some people think installing a plastic barrier in the wall is the answer, but this approach only traps moisture. A better way is to use rigid insulation (also known as blue board). This insulation is semi-permeable and allows moisture to travel through the wall, allowing it to dry. Water can also enter the basement if the grade of the land is pitched toward the house. Grading the soil away from the house and adding rain gutters will guide rainwater away from the house. Openings from the house to the attic and poor ceiling insulation in houses located in colder climates can lead to ice dams that cause water to back up into the house. Air leakage from the house to the attic will carry moisture in the form of humidity into the attic that can form water on the underside of the roof leading to rotting and mold. Typical leakage points between the house and attic are:
Duct systems that are imbalanced can draw outside humidity through walls that can produce water in the walls. Mitigating these problems requires a professional. Repairing the attic problems listed above may seem simple enough, but trying to do it yourself doesn’t guarantee you really fixed the problem and can sometimes lead to other problems. Hiring an insulation expert who specializes in building science (also known as a building performance specialist) will ensure the job is done properly and safely. These specilaists come equipped with tools such as blower doors, pressure guages, etc. to quantify the measures taken for the repairs. The same goes for the air conditioning specialist, he should have duct diagnostic tools to test your ductwork to be sure it is properly designed and performing efficiently. If you are unable to find someone in your area, go to www.energyconservatory.com. They are manufacturers of the required testing instruments and they will have contractors in their database they can recommend. In addition to taking care of the water damage, your home will be more comfortable, you’ll save money on your energy bills and improve your indoor air quality.
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Tips for Waterproofing Your Foundation
Tips How to Waterproof Your Foundation - Long Term Solution Waterproofing: for ICF/Standard Construction waterproofing_foundation.html Tips for Dry Basement How to keep your basement dry: tips, advice tips_for_dry_basement.html Basement Waterproofing What to do if your basement fills with water. Difference between water-repellent and water-proofing coating basement_waterproofing.html Vapor barrier What is vapor barrier? Why is vapor barrier important? vapor_barrier.html How to choose a Waterproofing Contractor Tips for chosing the right waterproofing contractor how_to_choose_a_waterproofing_contractor.html Sump pump What is sump pump? Do you need one? Submersible or pedestal? sump_pump.html Wet basement - what you can do about it Wet Basement - what you can do about it. Do it yourself or hire a waterproofing contractractor. Suggestions from BBB wet_basement_solutions.html Green rooftops Buildings across the country are going green on top. Ecological approach to roofing, benefits of it green_rooftops.html Hidden Causes of Water Damage in Homes Helpful hints for preventing water damage in your home - what can cause a water damage hidden_causes_of_water_damage_in_homes.html Copyright © Waterproofing-Central.com 2005-2006 |
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