Keeping moisture out of a home reduces the chance for structural deterioration, mold growth, and air quality problems. Bolster your home’s moisture resistance with these tips. Identify Red Flags Identifying and remediating issues quickly will naturally minimize damage to your home. Common signs of unwanted moisture include: Excessive, continuous condensation around windows Musty smells Standing […]
Coverage for water damage depends on the situation and the source. If the water damage is sudden, accidental and came from inside your home, you’re typically protected by a standard homeowners policy. But, if the water damage was caused by flooding from the outside of your home or by a neglected repair, you won’t be […]
There’s nothing better than settling into a warm house while the cold wind blows outside. But, getting — and keeping — your home heated may pose a safety issue if you don’t take the right precautions. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the leading months for home heating fires are December, January and February. […]
Whether or not you know it’s coming, a power outage can be a major disturbance. It never hurts to be prepared and to know what to do once the lights go out. Before Power outages can happen at any time and are unavoidable, but the costs associated with them can be lessened by installing a home […]
Many cities have friendly neighborhoods with great properties. However, it’s important to know what to look for in a rental listing, so you can make a smart assessment about each rental listing you’re interested in. Use this rental property viewing checklist to stay organized and prepared when viewing properties. What is the cost of rent? […]
Every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hundreds of people in the U.S. die from carbon-monoxide (CO) poisoning—and the invisible, odorless gas sickens thousands more. The numbers seem even more tragic when you consider that most of these deaths and illnesses are preventable. Here are tips from the Consumer Product Safety […]
There are three main sources in your home; the first being air leaks. Air can leak into the home through walls, roofs, and floors and have damaging effects on a house. Uncontrolled airflow through the envelope of the home not only carries moisture into framing cavities, causing mold and rot, but it can also account […]
Hurricane Harvey, the first major hurricane to make landfall in the United States in more than a decade, made landfall on the Texas coast late Friday as a Category 4 storm, destroying homes, overturning vehicles and sinking boats, severing power lines, and forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee, while leaving ten dead. As […]
The top five deadliest floods in world history occurred when the Huang He (Yellow) River in China exceeded its banks. The yellow silt that provoked the river’s name can pile up higher than the land around it, causing the water to spill out of its causeway and onto the flat land surrounding it. Natural ice […]
Equipping your home with the right fire safety equipment can help you gain precious seconds in a fire emergency. Be sure your home includes the following equipment, that you (and your family) know how to use it. What to Include in Your Home Fire Safety Kit 1. Smoke Alarms The single most important piece of […]