Why Seal and Insulate?

Most homes in the United States don’t have enough insulation and have significant air leaks. In fact, if you added up all the leaks, holes and gaps in a typical home’s envelope, it would be the equivalent of having a window open every day of the year!

Sealing leaks and adding insulation can improve the overall comfort of your home and help to fix many of these common problems:
  • Reduced noise from outside
  • Less pollen, dust and insects (or pests) entering your home
  • Better humidity control
  • Lower chance for ice dams on the roof/eves in snowy climates

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15 Home Issues You Shouldn’t Ignore

A leaky faucet or standing water in your yard seem like small annoyances; however, they can cause big problems, and expenses around the house. Check out these signs that you should watch for in and around your home –

Critters

Ants scurrying on countertops or mouse droppings in HVAC grilles are signs that you have openings in your house that need to be closed, says Steve Gladstone, owner of Stonehollow Fine Home Inspection in Stamford, Conn. Check places like exhaust vents, condensate lines, pipes, ducts, utility access panels and garage doors — you’re looking for obvious gaps, signs of chewing or nesting, or ripped screening.

Mold

You should expect to find mold occasionally in wet spots like the kitchen and bathroom, but when you see it someplace it shouldn’t be — like on the living room walls — call a professional for evaluation. You want an independent inspector certified by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene or the American Council for Accredited Certification. An inspector can tell you whether you can clean up the mold yourself or whether you need the services of a remediation company.

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8 Fast Fall Fixes

Here are a few tips from This Old House Online on easy ways to improve your home as Fall approaches:

 

Clean the Vent Hood

Wipe down the interior and exterior with a nonabrasive household degreaser. Prewash the filter before running it through the dishwasher on the top rack.

Get Deals on Lawn Equipment

Take note of outdoor gear that may need to be replaced, since yard tools and mowers will be on sale by Labor Day weekend.

Service Smoke Alarms

Clear dust from the smoke-sensing chamber using a vacuum’s soft brush or compressed air, then test after reinstalling.

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