Molds can be found almost anywhere. Mold can grow on virtually any substance when moisture is present. Outdoors many molds live in the soil and play a key role in the breakdown of leaves, wood, and other plant debris. Without molds we would all be struggling with large amounts...
new home inspection
Efflorescence
Masonry or plaster with white-ish crystallization is called efflorescence. Efflorescence is primarily an appearance problem that occurs with masonry and often plaster. Rarely do these deposits of crystalline salts do any harm to masonry surfaces. In most cases, the efflorescence appears as a white dust or deposit on the...
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans have been around since before electricity! Why this lasting popularity? Certainly charm is one big factor. A fan fixture can bring distinction to a room. And for some people, the steady, quiet whirl of paddles evokes the romance of bygone days, of sultry summer afternoons. More importantly...
Energy-saving Landscape
Planting trees can help save on your energy bills. Carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of a typical household’s energy for heating and cooling. Just three trees, properly placed around the house, can save an average household between $100 and $250 in heating and cooling energy costs...
Windows
Thinking about replacing the windows in your home? Here are some helpful tips that you need to know when you begin looking for the best windows for your home. Air infiltration. This refers to the movement of air at a different temperature through the different interfacing surfaces of the...
Home Safety Tips
A safe home is a happy home. Well, one would hope it is anyway. I do know an unsafe home is definitely NOT a happy one. You should always be on the lookout for ways to make your home safer for you, your family, and your guests. They do...
Mulch
There is good mulch and bad mulch. Good landscape mulch is made up primarily of composted bark. When this type of mulch is prepared for use in landscaping through the composting process age and heat stabilize the product, which already is partially decayed when it is spread. While I...
Exterior Painting
Protect your home’s exterior with paint. Keeping your exterior paint in good condition not only makes your house look better, it is also important for general maintenance. A good coat of paint protects wood finishes from the elements and from insect damage. You can also paint nearly every other...
Improvements that Payback
What home improvements should you “invest” in? Thinking about a home remodel, but not sure if you’ll get your “investment” back when you sell your home? Recouping your remodeling investment may be your goal when you sell your house, but when it comes to resale value, all home improvements...
Facts on Wood Burning Fireplaces
Three types of heat. Heat, by laws of physics, is transferred by three methods–convection, radiation and conduction. Convection is the transfer of heat from one area to another by moving air. Radiation is the movement of infrared electromagnetic rays through air with virtually no warming of the air but...
