A concrete or blacktop driveway always begins at the street or roadway. This portion of the driveway must be very strong to resist damage from heavy trucks that might use the driveway to turn around.
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Roof trusses can be heavy, especially those covered with sheets of oriented strand board (OSB). Cranes must be used to lift them up. But carpenters don't have to smash holes in the OSB with hammers to make this possible.
Reflective foil insulation really stops the movement of heat. This foil acts as a radiant barrier both in the summer and winter. The reflective barrier foil works best in the summer when the temperatures are higher.
Foundation drain tile is a critical component in new construction. This pipe and the clean gravel that surrounds it quickly moves water away from your foundation. If water is not drawn away from a foundation, it can leak into a basement or crawlspace.
Frost inside an attic is a sign that something is terribly wrong. Water vapor is condensing on the cold roof surfaces and then freezing. The source of the water must be found and stopped. Wood rot and mold are a reality if the frost continues to form.
Some residential lots are not very flat. Building a slab house on this sloping ground can create extra work and expense. Constructing a full basement is perhaps a better choice in this situation.
Home inspectors can make mistakes, but defects in a house can happen long after the inspector has gone. You should be there the day the inspection happens and take your own photos so that you have a visual record of the condition of the home.
Clothes dryer vents can actually create water leaks. If the clothes dryer vent pipe gets cold, the warm, moist air inside condenses and turns to liquid water. This water can leak from the vent pipes if the seams are not taped. The best way to stop clothes dryer vent pipe leaks is to make sure the pipe does not get cold.
Electronic programmable thermostats have a switch setting called auxiliary. This setting switches the heat pump into emergency heat or electric-resistance-coil heating. This is an expensive way to heat your home and should only be done when the heat pump breaks. If this happens, call a service technician.
Hurricane Katrina is presenting unique repair challenges when it comes to hardwood floor water damage, especially hardwood flooring installed on concrete slabs. Old hot-mopped asphalt is causing concerns for quality builders.
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