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What is Water Intrusion

Water intrusion is a cause of expensive property damage that can take a long time to fix. Whether you are a homeowner or the owner or manager of a larger commercial property, avoid problems in the future by being on guard for water intrusion. Develop a plan of action that includes the following: Understanding what water intrusion is and how it occurs Learning to recognize and prevent the leading causes of water intrusion Knowing when to contact a professional about water intrusion Educating employees and family members about water intrusion Storms, burst pipes, and appliance failures can occur at any time in buildings of any age. When they happen, shaving even seconds off your response time could save you thousands of dollars. The time you spend today preparing for water intrusion is a sound investment in your financial future, your peace of mind, and the safety of anyone who will occupy your building. What is Water Intrusion? Property owners sometimes fall prey to water intrusion because they do not recognize the scope of the problem. A property manager who is satisfied because the roof and the pipes under the sink do not leak might overlook insidious threats until it does irreparable damage. Water Intrusion Meaning Water intrusion is a catch-all category that includes any event that brings unwanted water into a building from any source. The water could be natural, such as rainwater through a leaky roof or water from the municipal water supply. Water intrusions can carry debris, toxic waste, bacteria, mold, and other hazards — not merely water. Water Intrusion Examples Water intrusion can arise in many different ways in many locations within a building. Consider these examples and ask yourself whether your property management policies would catch these problems and fix them before they become dangerous. An

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How to Get Rid of Black Mold

Black mold is a severe problem that can cause significant health problems. If you have black mold, getting rid of it as soon as possible is vital. This article explains why black mold is a serious problem and covers the removal process so you know exactly how to get rid of black mold. What Is Black Mold? Black mold, also known as Stachybotrys chartarum, is a fungus that grows on damp surfaces such as wood, paper, and carpet. It can cause serious health problems if it grows in your home or building. For example, black mold can cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to mold and asthma attacks in people with asthma. Additionally, exposure to black mold can lead to respiratory illnesses in children and fetal deaths in pregnant women. For these reasons, it’s essential to know how to get rid of black mold as soon as you notice it growing in your home or building. Types of Common Household Molds You can find hundreds of different types of molds everywhere in the world. The most common types of household molds include Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Stachybotrys, and Mucor. One of the types of mold homeowners encounter the most often is bread mold or Botrytis cinerea. This type of mold is prevalent and appears on many fruits and vegetables, as well as grains. Household molds also often grow on the wallpaper, ceiling tiles, old books, and paper documents. A combination of heat and humidity encourages mold growth, so it’s common to find small amounts of mold in most homes. In most cases, household molds are not a serious concern, but black mold is a notable exception, so it’s crucial to know how to get rid of black mold. Things Needed to Clean Black Mold To safely clean black mold,

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What Happens If Attic Is Not Vented

How Do You Tell if Your Attic is Vented Properly

Maintaining adequate attic ventilation is essential for the overall health of you and your home. Without proper ventilation, you risk mold mildew growth, general deterioration of your roofing system, and even increased respiratory problems due to this moisture accumulation. A properly vented attic allows air to circulate so moisture and heat don’t accumulate. This ventilation reduces excess heat in the summertime, and in the winter, it keeps cold air and water from ice melting out. When your attic has the proper ventilation, moisture escapes easily in summer and winter. Conversely, without attic ventilation, water accumulates, contributing to several more significant problems for you and your family’s home in the future. How Do You Tell if Your Attic is Vented Properly? Are you trying to determine if your attic is venting properly? Professionals know which methods to use to spot common signs of poor attic ventilation. Identifying ventilation problems early helps you prevent serious damage and more expensive repairs down the road. If you suspect insufficient ventilation in your attic, the first thing to do is schedule an inspection. Attic professionals inspect your rafters, ceiling joists, and insulation and thoroughly check the area for specific problems like moisture cumulation or mold growth. They also typically inspect vents and openings to ensure air passes in and out of your vents easily. Another way to determine if your attic has sufficient ventilation is by installing a thermostat and monitoring the temperature. This is an excellent way to see if your attic controls moisture well. By monitoring the moisture levels, you can also determine how effective your attic’s insulation and ventilation are. Since a thorough attic inspection involves many steps, it’s always best to hire a professional. However, it is also essential to ensure you hire an experienced professional who knows what they are doing, where

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Attic Renovation Mistakes To Avoid

Are you considering renovating your attic? The extra square footage holds so many possibilities. You could build a cozy loft to hide in or rent it out for some extra income. While the possibilities entice you, remember there are several attic renovation mistakes to avoid. If you make certain attic renovation mistakes, you don’t just affect one area of your home. You can risk the structural integrity of your whole house. You can even get fined for not following certain municipal building codes. Attic Renovation Mistakes To Avoid What are some attic renovation mistakes to avoid while planning your cozy, quirky new space? Our attic experts created a checklist to guide you during your plans. Attic renovation often proves more challenging than it looks. When you avoid the following mistakes, you’ll enjoy a unique addition to the space in your home.   Going in Without a Plan Before launching into an attic renovation project, ensure you have a solid plan leading to the desired results. Your plans should cover ventilation, insulation, and plumbing. Make sure they follow your local building codes as well. If you have chosen a worthy contractor, you can ask for advice on your plans. Forgetting Permits When you get busy making plans and daydreaming about attic renovation, you can easily forget the very first to-do on the list. Don’t forget to obtain the proper permits. You need permission from your municipality. You also need to know what regulations to follow once you embark on the process. Get some proof of inspection to obtain your permits before you begin. If you don’t get the necessary permits, you may have to tear down certain parts of your renovation. Additionally, you will find it difficult to sell your home. Not Following Building Codes After getting your permits, make sure

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Hantavirus Dried Droppings

How Long Does Hantavirus Live in Droppings

If you notice signs of a rodent infestation, several questions about the hantavirus might cross your mind. Is hantavirus dangerous? Should you worry about it? This virus can have dangerous implications for humans. Therefore, use caution when handling anything touched by rodents. How long does the hantavirus live in droppings? The answer depends on several factors. First, you should contact a pest control provider to schedule a solution. Continue reading to learn about hantavirus transmission. What Is Hantavirus Infection? Hantavirus begins its journey in rodents like deer mice. Mice infected with hantavirus won’t likely show any symptoms of illness. They only serve as viral hosts. However, mice shed the virus through feces, urine, and saliva. They often use saliva to help create nests or chew through barriers and may urinate when afraid. When the hantavirus travels from a mouse to a human, it causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the human. Sometimes, a hantavirus infection in a human doesn’t progress to HPS, causing only mild symptoms. However, HPS attacks your respiratory system and can cause severe sickness or even death in some cases. How Long Does Hantavirus Live in Droppings? When you encounter signs of a mouse infestation, you typically discover old mouse droppings on various surfaces. Most of these surfaces remain tucked away from human activity. While people rarely contract hantavirus from dried droppings, it can still happen. How Long Are Mouse Droppings Dangerous? So, how long are mouse droppings dangerous? Even though you won’t likely catch hantavirus from old droppings, you should still use caution. You can catch hantavirus from particles of feces, droplets, or saliva. These types of excrement are often located in nests and areas that mice frequent. If you disturb the materials, you risk inhaling excrement particles, which may lead to hantavirus infection. How long does the hantavirus

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Condensation On Ductwork In Attic

Attic Condensation – How to Prevent it

If you recently repaired a leaky roof or felt humidity in your attic, you have a problem with attic condensation. For instance, you may have noticed a stuffy, damp odor when retrieving holiday decorations for your house. That smell indicates condensation in your attic. Attic condensation leads to severe issues for homeowners. It damages the structure of your house and creates health risks for your family. Therefore, you should know how to get rid of it. What Is Attic Condensation? Condensation refers to a process in which gas becomes a liquid. Condensation in an attic occurs when warm, humid air collides with cooler air. When you have condensation in the attic in summer, the warm air from outside meets the cool air inside your attic. Condensation in your attic in winter happens when the heated air in your house rises into your attic, colliding with the cool, dry air. The cold temperatures often freeze the condensation, which doesn’t typically pose a threat until it melts in spring.   Why Does My Attic Have Condensation? Diagnosing the reason behind attic condensation poses a challenge for many homeowners. Looking around, however, you might identify the reasons behind attic condensation. Some causes of condensation include: Deficient Insulation Inadequate Ventilation A Leaky Roof Leaky Pipes Deficient insulation allows more extreme temperature changes. Rather than maintaining a consistent temperature, a drafty attic brings outside air and moisture in, thus triggering condensation. Inadequate ventilation usually occurs when your bathroom vents release warm, moist air into your attic. They should release that air outside. Instead, damp air mingles with cool, dry air and creates condensation. You might find it difficult to identify leaky pipes or roof areas. You’ll have to wait for heavy rain so you can observe the leak’s location. Even tiny holes in your roof can allow moisture into

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