Home Maintenance

Wood decay is a well-known problem for log house owners. Often this damage is mistakenly blamed on termites or other wood-destroying insects. The truth is, fungi are mainly responsible for wood...

Caulking on vinyl surfaces does not require a different approach than other applications. Vinyl is a non-porous surface; it is solid and cannot absorb water. This surface, like metal and glass,...

It is not uncommon for mold to grow in a basement. Mold thrives in damp, humid environments. Basements often provide both of these ideal conditions for mold to grow. The key to preventing mold...

If your bathroom wallpaper is bubbling up or peeling, chances are that you have a moisture problem in your bathroom. Steam rises while you're taking a hot shower and sticks to your bathroom walls...

Vapor barriers are one the best ways to protect your home from unwanted moisture. Installed on either the exterior of the home during construction or on the walls of a basement, the added...

A sad but unfortunate truth is. Most homes do develop foundation issues over time. Whether it be a damp and leaky basement, to actual structural issues. A damp or wet basement can actually...

There are a variety of reasons why house windows will frost over, but many of them are easy to fix. And if you employ these techniques before frost forms on the inside of your windows, it can help...

Garages are, by nature, less tightly sealed than houses. Their big doors let in more moisture and cannot close as tightly as normal house doors. Humidity can be a problem if metal tools, dry...

Moisture build-up is a problem anywhere in the home. In places like the garage, it can be difficult to control because garages are not always well ventilated. Poor ventilation causes stagnant air...

A crawl space is an important part of many houses. It is used for access to pipes, the foundation and other areas beneath the house that may require attention. Crawl spaces can also be used for...

Trapped moisture in a home can rapidly result in the growth of harmful mold and mildew. The crawl space of your home usually is located either above or below the living spaces, and is a prime...

A damp crawl space can lead to mold growth, pest infestation and even damage to your home. One way to ensure that the moisture in a humid crawl space is taken care of is to dehumidify the room: a...

Crawl spaces are dark and often have poor ventilation. With the addition of moisture, they become the ideal place for mold to grow. If you have a lot of standing water in a crawl space, you will...

Moisture buildup in a crawl space can be problematic. Crawl spaces are dark and often have poor ventilation, so moisture creates an ideal place for mold to grow. If you have a lot of standing...

Humidors are the most efficient way to keep your cigars fresh and moist. However, these tools need care and maintenance to perform properly. If you don't take care of your humidor, the moisture...

Mold in the home can be much more than a simple inconvenience; it can be a serious health issue. A 1994 study conducted by Harvard University showed that residents living in homes that housed mold...

Dry rot can cause severe damage to your home. Unlike wet rot, which occurs when wood is very wet, dry rot can occur in minimally wet conditions such as high humidity. Stopping dry rot is a...

Silverfish are small gray- to green-colored insects that destroy wallpaper, books and clothing, among other things in your home. Getting rid of these destructive pests should be a high priority...

Silverfish are small insects approximately 1/2 inch long. They get their name because of the silvery color and shape of their bodies. They are fast creatures that can move and maneuver quickly...

Clapboard siding was the standard for wood frame construction for over a century and is still used today for rustic construction. With its overlapping boards it is an American icon on farm houses...

Moss is a regular plant growth fed, like all plants, by a combination of light, water, nutrients and carbon dioxide. It tends to prefer moist, shady environments and commonly can be mistaken for...

Mold in your home is a serious health issue for your family and visitors. Houses are prone to mold growth if the home has not been properly protected from moisture. Once you discover mold in your...

The first steps in mold remediation are assessing the extent of damage and finding sources of moisture resulting from flooding, leaking pipes, warped wood, mildew or old appliances. Do-it-yourself...

Wood heat is more intense than the heat produced by gas, electricity or fuel oil. It's a radiant heat comparable to that from the sun, according to woodheat.org. Wood heat has other advantages:...

Insulation is something we all have in our homes, but probably don't think very much about until we get those high winter heating bills. While you may be reluctant to spend money on something as...

Mildew is a black, grimy mold growth that is found in many homes worldwide. It usually grows in high moisture areas, like bathrooms and basements. Certain chemicals may be used to treat and...

Mold is an opportunistic fungus, thriving in humidity and able to flourish in an array of conditions. Molds decay organic matter, invading the exterior and interior of homes by spreading spores...

Mold is a type of fungus that grows in warm, moist areas like basements. It requires a biodegradable substance to grow, which may include drywall, cardboard or paper. Left untreated, mold can...

For most homeowners, mold mitigation does not require a professional inspection. Preventing mold in your home can be as simple as proper sealing and ventilation. However, while this do-it-yourself...

Mold can be prevented by regular inspections, maintenance and cleaning of a home's interior and exterior. Eliminating or cleaning sources of mold growth--old appliances, damaged structural...

One day you walk into the room and an ominous stain has blossomed on your carpet. You hesitate to tackle it yourself because what if you do something wrong? Here are a few carpet cleaning facts...

Stachybotrys chartarum, commonly known as black mold, can be visible on exterior surfaces or hidden within walls, carpets and wood, making the detection of this fungus difficult. There are 15...

Mold is a toxic, smelly fungus that can lower the value of a house and sicken those exposed to it. Mold can be found in any moist area and grows on floors, walls and ceilings. The National...

Mold spores are everywhere---indoors and out---and the only way to limit their growth is to make sure that your home doesn't provide a mold-friendly environment. Fortunately, mold is a fairly weak...

If you adhere to basic rules, cedar siding problems can be minimized. Routine maintenance is necessary, but your diligence will pay off and the beauty of your siding will be preserved for many...

Any area with high humidity is susceptible to black mold problems. A relative humidity greater than 55 percent is enough to support the growth of black mold. Indoors, humidity levels can fluctuate...

Hard tiles--whether ceramic, glass, marble or some other material--are far and away the best choice for covering the floors and walls in most bathrooms. The moisture-resistance of the tiles,...

Mold can be a serious health hazard, and is routinely blamed for a host of respiratory ailments. You may be alerted to the presence of mold in your home by a musty odor, or you may spot telltale...

Mold, a form of fungus that gains nutrition from the breakdown and decay of matter, is a potentially dangerous problem. Long-term exposure to fungus can lead to a breakdown of the immune system...

Mold can grow on almost any surface given the right conditions. Moisture is just one of the components for mold to take a foothold. Food sources, such as wood timbers or errant materials left...

Mold thrives on three things: food, moisture and warmth. Of these three, moisture is the easiest to control. The Environmental Protection Agency says that your best bet to prevent mold from...

If you've got mold on the walls and ceilings of your concrete house, you don't just have an unsightly, stinky problem---you may also have a situation that's hazardous to your family's health. ...

A poorly kept crawl space can turn an otherwise fine home into a money pit. Moisture leads to mold and terrible smells, and eventually it can compromise the foundation of the entire building....

Some people are highly allergic to mold and mildew and react by having sinus and respiratory problems. In addition, the stains caused by mold and mildew are unsightly and smelly. The best way to...

Humidity in a basement can be very problematic for a homeowner and it can even pose a risk to a family's health. Humidity and moisture in the dark, cool basement of a home creates the perfect...

Not many people realize that water can penetrate a brick. Even the wind can actually drive moisture through brick walls which can cause mold problems. This problem is usually found on the shady...

A home or business may have a humidifier installed for a wide variety of reasons. It could be to help protect inventory or to improve the health conditions for workers or residents. The humidifier...

Basements that have been previously flooded and pumped and those that are being aired out for use again are among the areas of a home that need dehumidifying to extract residual dampness and...

Termites are wood-destroying insects that cause billions in property damage every year. Because termites are attracted to moisture, prevention requires removal of moisture conditions near wooden...

Moisture is always pulled from the ground into your crawl space and even with proper ventilation you can end up with moisture damage. The project would not be very difficult if you could stand up...