EDUCATION FOR HOME BUYERS

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FUNGAL GROWTHS

What are the health risk and what prevention to take.

Usually found in crawl spaces on the wood framing members. These growths are usually related to chronic excess moisture levels in the wood framing members. Factors causing excess moisutre include water penetration from outsdie, leaks in pipes and AC equipment and the lack of a full coverage sealed vapor barrier on the ground. Fungal growths can be a health hazard and can cause wood rot.

Several ways to help keep moisture down in the crawl space are:

-Making sure that the outside of the foundation walls slope positively away from the house. This is critical for improved drainage.

-Making sure the water discharge from downspouts is 6-10 feet from the foundation walls.

- Interior perimeter foundation drain systems.

- Crawl space sump pumps to remove water out of the crawl space.

- Full coverage vapor barrier with at least 6 mil plastic on the ground. Lap joints 12 inches and tape/seal joinsts. Tape seal to the walls and piers. In other words the crawl space ground does not touch air.

- In worse cases where passive measures to control moisture are not effective enough a dehumidifier must be installed and the crawl space sealed up from outside air intrusion.

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PET DOORS FROM GARAGE TO INTERIORS

What are the hazards of having one of these installed in your home?

-The door is part of the fire separation. Openings are not allowed. The pet door is a fire and carbon monoxide hazard and should not be installed between a garage door and the interior of the home. Fires can spread more easily into the living areas.

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DOWNSPOUT EXTENSIONS

What are the benefits of installing and what are the consequenses of not having them.

-The amount of water that exits downpouts on a home is quite enormous. If extensions are not installed, most of the water that exits the downspouts, is draining right up against the foundation of a home. This can cause water penetration inside the crawl space or even cause soft grounds, which could result in extensive foundation settlement. Extensions should be a minimum of 6 feet.

Certified Home Inspectors who serve the Triangle extending from Cary to Raleigh, Morrisville, Apex, Durham, Chapel Hill, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Clayton, Knrightdale, Wendell, Louisburg, Wake Forest, Franklinton, Carrboro, Creedmoor, Hillsborough, Rolesville, Youngsville, Zebulon, Smithfield, Sanford, Pittsboro, Siler City, Mebane, Burlington, and Archers Lodge.