Posted by: SherlockHomesSY | 21 Jan 2011

Common Complaints: Construction Causes of Peeling Paint

(C) How to Operate Your Home, Tom Fieza, Mr. Fix-It

PEELING PAINT: WALL CONSTRUCTION
Part 2 of 2

– Location
– Mechanics of Lifting
– Moisture Laws
– Ventilation
– Wall Construction
– Exterior Peeling
– Interior Peeling
– Misapplication

Peeling paint frequently results from not painting right in the first place.  Common issues are dirty walls, missing primer, painting when it’s too hot, or repainting with incompatible paint.  However, water vapor getting into drywall or siding can lift paint right off the surface!

In our last post, we looked at the laws and axioms of water vapor and how they relate to peeling paint.  In this post, we show how they are applied to avoid paint peeling. Read More…

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Posted in Common Complaints, Peeling Paint, Walls

Posted by: SherlockHomesSY | 18 Jan 2011

Common Complaints: Moisture Causes of Peeling Paint

House Paint PeelingPEELING PAINT: MOISTURE CAUSES
Part 1 of 2

– Location
– Mechanics of Lifting
– Moisture Laws
– Ventilation
– Wall Construction
– Exterior Peeling
– Interior Peeling
– Misapplication Read More…

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Posted in Air Sealing, Common Complaints, Peeling Paint, Ventilation

Posted by: SherlockHomesSY | 14 Jan 2011

Common Complaints: Ice Dams

Ice Dam

(C) Tom Fieza, Mr. Fix-it

ICE DAMS

As I write this post, I’m in Evanston, WY on New Year’s Day.  The streets are covered with crunchy snow and huge icicles hang off the roof, over the eaves.  As I ponder, I wonder whether the icicles are there because it rained before it started snowing—or something worse, ICE DAMS!

What is an Ice Dam? Only those who live in places where it snows need to worry about ice dams.  They form on eaves, over exterior walls.  Warm air escaping into the attic through the ceiling thaws snow, which runs toward the gutter.  Then it freezes.  The process starts over, except this time the water encounters the ice so it backs up under the shingles.  Only now, water leaks into the soffit or on to the ceiling! Read More…

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Posted in Air Sealing, Attic, Common Complaints, Duct Sealing, Ice Dams, Insulation, Ventilation | Tags:

Posted by: SherlockHomesSY | 11 Jan 2011

Common Complaints: Pests (2 of 2)

TermitesPESTS

– Vermin
– Rodents
– Birds
– Snakes
– Insects
– Spiders

Bugs, rodents, snakes, and other vermin like to live at the same humidity level and temperature we do.  We invite them in by our house cleaning habits, holes, and by feeding them the house.  The problem with these critters is they make us sick and sometimes make it hard to breath.  Some destroy things. Read More…

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Posted in Common Complaints, Pests

Posted by: SherlockHomesSY | 7 Jan 2011

Common Complaints: Pests

Scientific RodentPESTS

– Vermin
– Rodents
– Birds
– Snakes
– Insects
– Spiders

Bugs, rodents, snakes, and other vermin like to live at the same humidity level and temperature we do.  We invite them in by our house cleaning habits, holes, and by feeding them the house.  The problem with these critters is they make us sick and sometimes make it hard to breath.  Some destroy things. Read More…

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Posted in Air Sealing, Common Complaints, Pests, Vapor Management

Posted by: SherlockHomesSY | 4 Jan 2011

Common Complaints: Breathing Difficulties (2 of 2)

Elemental RadonDIFFICULTIES BREATHING (2 OF 2)

– Volatile Organic Compounds
– Dry Air
– Soil Gases
– Pesticides
– Mold
– Allergens
– Dust
– Smoke
– Carbon Monoxide
– IAQ Priorities Read More…

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Posted in Common Complaints, Difficulties Breathing, Dry Air, Mold

Posted by: SherlockHomesSY | 31 Dec 2010

Common Complaints: Breathing Difficulties (1 of 2)

Dealing w/ IAQ ContaminantsDIFFICULTIES BREATHING: VOCs & Dry Air

– Volatile Organic Compounds
– Dry Air
– Soil Gases
– Pesticides
– Mold
– Allergens
– Dust
– Smoke
-Carbon Monoxide
– IAQ Priorities

Some reports indicate indoor air is 90 times more polluted than outdoor air.  Maybe.  There are many things leading to poor indoor air quality: high indoor moisture vapor, volatile organic compounds (VOCs – out gassing of manufactured goods), soil gases, pest control mixes, mold, allergens, fiberglass ductwork—to name a few. Read More…

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Posted in Common Complaints, Difficulties Breathing, Dry Air

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