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Types Of Rodents Commonly Found In Washington Homes

Types of Rodents Commonly Found in Washington Homes

Your home is a sanctuary where you find comfort and shelter. Unfortunately, homeowners often aren’t the only ones who find peace within the walls of a house. Rodents, pests, and other uninvited guests can move in unexpectedly, turning your once cozy environment into a battleground. Part of handling rodent removal is understanding what you’re dealing with. Not all methods are as effective on one species as they are on another. This article is the Washington homeowner’s guide to understanding and recognizing these home-crashing critters. Armed with this information, you’re on your way to evicting these frustrating squatters! House Mice Let’s start with the aptly named house mouse. These mice are relatively small compared to their rodent counterparts, usually growing up to eight inches long, accounting for the body and tail. Despite their tinyness, their trademark beady eyes, large ears, and pointed muzzles make them easy to pinpoint. House mice are primarily attracted to food sources and can find their way into your home through your yard. They’ll start by rummaging through open trash or bird feeders. They’ll usually let themselves in once they find a crack in your foundation. It’s the perfect place for them to make their nest. House mice might look innocent and cute, but they’re not something you want in your home. They can damage the infrastructure, chewing through wires, drywall, and insulation. They can also contaminate food and spread diseases like salmonella and leptospirosis. Deer Mice Deer mice can be slightly smaller than house mice, clocking in at around six to nine inches. The main difference is that their tail is usually the longest part of their body. They also have darker brown fur and white or light underbellies with larger eyes and ears. Deer mice prefer to live outdoors but hide inside homes in the

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The Risks Of Outdated Knob And Tube Wiring In Your California Home

The Risks of Outdated Knob and Tube Wiring in Your California Home

Until the 1950s, knob and tube wiring used to be the standard way to rig up electrical wiring throughout a home. Most houses featured these systems, and they worked perfectly fine. The thing is, the average person’s electricity consumption has clearly increased drastically within just the last few decades. Those old-fashioned systems of knob and tube wiring were never meant to power home computers, high-powered blenders, and flat-screen TVs all at the same time, and nowadays, trying to use them to operate modern appliances in your California home means you could literally be playing with fire. With that being said, here’s why it’s vital that you replace any outdated electrical systems throughout your home, especially if they include knob and tube wiring. What Makes Knob and Tube Wiring Dangerous? As mentioned, knob and tube wiring was an electrical setup devised long before many of our current technological advancements were even a far-off dream and — in turn — before the majority of safety precautions regarding electricity were put into effect. Given that lack of a failsafe, knob and tube wiring is inherently a more dangerous configuration. For one, these systems have no grounding wire, meaning homeowners are at a higher risk of electrical shock or fires. Putting insulation over knob and tube wiring components isn’t safe either, for similar reasons. Add on the fact that they began being phased out all the way back in the 50s, and that means any older electrical equipment automatically has a chance of causing problems. However, despite the phase-out, knob and tube wiring continued to be used long past the 50s. Some electricians or homeowners began making modifications to cut corners but still allow their system to handle their growing electrical needs, leading to a further increase in the possibility of electrical hazards. When

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Maximizing Storage Solutions In Attic Remodeling

Maximizing Storage Solutions in Attic Remodeling

Turning a once drab and forgotten attic into a fully functional space is an exciting prospect for any homeowner, as the space’s potential is virtually limitless. From a quiet haven to do yoga in while the light pours in through the skylights to a private meeting area removed from the din of the rest of your house or even an extra room for your friends and family to stay during a visit, a remodeled attic is truly a do-anything addition to a home. Be that as it may, without some guidance, it’s easy for the space to revert back to its old ways, becoming a dumping ground for whatever needs to be out of the way. That’s not necessarily bad, provided everything has its place up there, but you don’t want your efforts to go to waste. Truthfully, maximizing the potential of your attic remodeling can be challenging without setting yourself up for success, but one of the easiest ways to do that is with custom storage solutions. With that being said, here’s what implementing smart storage into your remodeling process could look like: Be Realistic About Your Attic Space It may be lovely to think about transforming your attic into a library, but you must ask yourself how well it will serve your needs. If you’re struggling with storage, your attic remodeling might be more about assessing storage possibilities first and carving out new, usable spaces second. Take stock of everything you can, including the attic’s dimensions, what stays and what goes, and any obstacles preventing you from creating a more structured storage space. Being aware of these factors ahead of time will help solidify your plans before the remodel is underway. Discuss Your Needs With an Attic Contractor Even if you’re drawing a blank in terms of brainstorming

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Knob And Tube Wiring In California Homes What Lies Beneath Your Insulation

Knob and Tube Wiring in California Homes: What Lies Beneath Your Insulation?

Do you know what could be lurking beneath your insulation? Most homeowners wouldn’t bother to find out unless they needed to swap out old insulation. And even then, who would think there would be anything to find? But for California homeowners, there could be something you want to address lying underneath: knob and tube wiring. This type of wiring was common throughout the country until the early 1940s. It’s mostly eradicated from use and is typically not permitted under the National Electrical Code, save for a few specific circumstances. So why would you want to know if you have knob and tube wiring? Here’s a look at the advantages and disadvantages and why it was eventually phased out of use entirely. What Is Knob and Tube Wiring? This old-school wiring has multiple components, including ceramic knobs, electrical wires, ceramic tubes, cleats, and a loom. These pieces work together to bring electrical power to an outlet or device. Provided an electrician installed this system correctly, there’s nothing inherently unsafe about using this wiring. But the chances of that are relatively slim. Since most homes won’t have had new knob and tube wiring within the past fifty or more years, most of these systems have a high likelihood of being damaged or modified in some way. Advantages Surprisingly, there are still some arguments you can make for knob and tube wiring, though most of them don’t apply to modern-day homes. A big reason why knob and tube wiring still saw use that outlived its welcome is because of its low cost. Conduit methods in the early 1900s were available but much more expensive than their knob and tube counterparts. Despite technological advancements, this price difference kept this electrical system relevant. Most of the components within the system also have an incredibly high

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Frosty Mornings And Attic Issues Signs Its Time To Replace Insulation In Washington Homes

Frosty Mornings and Attic Issues: Signs It’s Time to Replace Insulation in Washington Homes

Insulation is the lifeblood of your home’s ability to manage temperatures. Without it, ACs and furnaces are rendered helpless, your home will be noisier, and you could also have moisture issues that lead to structural issues and health problems. But your home’s insulation is easy to take for granted. It does its job quietly between your walls and ceilings — until it doesn’t. So what happens when it’s time to get new attic insulation? Believe it or not, attic insulation plays a significant role in keeping your home safe and comfortable. Here are some signs that could indicate it’s time for attic insulation removal and replacement. Higher Utility Bills Since insulation’s main purpose is to maintain temperature, poor insulation will almost always lead to you spending more money on heating and cooling costs. Higher energy bills can be a symptom of HVAC issues as well. Still, if you can’t find any other reason for the spike, weak attic insulation could be the culprit. Older insulation isn’t as effective at blocking out cold air or retaining warm air. This lack of efficiency means your system must work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. The extra work won’t just increase your utility bills, either. It could also cause your system to break down, lowering its life expectancy. Calling a professional for attic insulation removal to rid yourself of the old insulation should be your first step. An attic specialist can install new insulation, which can help you lower your current monthly energy expenses and significantly reduce your annual energy consumption in your home. Worn Insulation Sometimes, you won’t need to guess if you need attic insulation removal. You can tell just by looking at it that it’s seen better days. Mold or water spots indicate that your insulation isn’t doing too hot

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Attic Seattle 1

Seattle Attics: The Insulation Challenge (and How to Conquer It!)

Seattle’s Wet Climate Complicates Attic Insulation Seattle’s climate, characterized by long stints of rampant rainfall and lingering marine air, creates unique attic and crawl space insulation considerations. The city’s signature cool, damp air can accelerate the breakdown of traditional insulation materials and dramatically affect the R-value, a measure of thermal resistance. Maintaining an adequate R-value in these conditions is critical for maintaining energy efficiency and preventing long-term structural damage. In Seattle, special attention should be paid to attic insulation. Being closer to the exterior environment, the attic is the first to be affected by outside weather conditions and is also the most vulnerable to temperature fluctuations. As such, improper attic insulation can contribute to various problems, including moisture issues, drastic thermal changes, and even infrastructure damage. Therefore, for Seattle homeowners, understanding and adapting to the local wet climate can be pivotal to maintaining the integrity and efficiency of their insulation. Long Stretches of Rainy Weather The city of Seattle is undoubtedly familiar with prolonged periods of precipitation. On average, the city grapples with 155 + days of rain annually (1), each bringing a notable increase in moisture levels. This impacts outdoor activities and significantly affects the energy efficiency and structural integrity of homes in the region. The soggy climate poses salient challenges for home insulation, particularly in attic areas where moisture tends to seep in and collect over time. As a harbor city nestled in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle’s daily humidity presence can amplify the negative impacts of improper insulation. Despite the frequent grey skies and drizzle, addressing these issues head-on can ensure a warm and dry home environment, even amidst the most persistent rainfall. Marine Air Brings Dampness Nestled near the sea, Seattle residents are particularly exposed to the effects of damp marine air. The city’s coastal location results

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