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Home owners should monitor for any signs of moisture in and around your home's structure. Too much moisture can seriously damage your home. Wood can soften, warp, rot and even fail. The foundation can shift, heave or settle causing cracked walls, sloping floors, or doors that stick or won't close. Excessive moisture can lead to corrosion of pipes and ductwork. Insulation loses it value when it becomes moist and can lead to growth of mould, which can cause respiratory illness in some people. To protect your home, you need to be aware of where and how moisture becomes a problem. The fact is, 90 percent of moisture problems start on the roof. If the water that hits the roof isn't directed away from the foundation, you could end up with water in the basement or crawl space. That is why a properly designed roof drainage system needs to be installed in every home. The drainage system involves gutters, scuppers, and downspouts. Together, they collect water from the roof and move it properly to the ground and away from the foundation. "Properly" is the key word. The water must be directed so that it does not pond near the foundation. Water from the roof, water hitting the sides of the home, and even water falling next to the home needs to be channeled away from the vicinity of the home. Sloping the ground surrounding the foundation is another good way to properly dispose of water. In general, one inch of fall for every foot of distance away from the foundation is sufficient. We recommend that at least the first six feet be sloped. New homes usually will settle along foundation where fill has been replace after pouring foundation. This is when there walkways and sidewalks will slope towards the house allowing moisture to penetrate foundation. If your lot does not lend itself to extended slopes away from the home, a system of "swales" can be used to channel the water. These are wide, shallow ditches that carry any excess water away from your home. Other drainage systems can be buried when the home is built. This includes foundation, French, and curtain drains. These drains channel the water to a sump cavity. The cavity is usually located in a corner of the basement or crawl space. If water collects in the sump, a sump pump can be installed to pump the water out and away from the building. Your roof, as well as your crawl space, can be a haven for moisture. It is important to ventilate both places. Gable, roof, soffit, and ridge vents all help to keep moisture from building up in the attic. Taking a quick look in your attic will quickly tell you if you have soffit vents and your insulation is evenly spread. Some trades people will do a project in an attic and ignore any displaced insulation causing moisture problems for the home owner, always check if any work has been done in your attic. Plastic sheeting, foundation vents, and forced circulation can be used to reduce moisture levels in your crawl space. Remember moisture is an enemy of your home. Investigate any incidents of moisture and determine where the source is and repair as soon as possible. Prompt action will save you money and minimize damage that may occur if left for any period of time. The interior of your home was not designed to deal with moisture problems and well deteriorate rapidly if moisture is present. This information is gathered in part from the NACHI Home Owners Handbook and is presented by Napoleon Home Inspections, the Barrie Home Inspector.
The "Barrie Home Inspector" provides a professional home inspection for $199.00 which includes one free WETT inspection. We are fully insured and offer a 100% money back guarantee if not completely satisfied. Visit our web site for complete listing of "Do It Yourself" articles for home owners and a forum "Ask the Experts" which provides professional advice from tradespeople. Article Submission made possible by: www.articles-submit.com Courtesy of:MyArticlePub.com
Article Source: http://www.changingearth.org
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