By As an Austin home inspector, I see a lot of properties and, most importantly, frequent problems. After a while, even if each house is different and has its own peculiarities, I end up noticing that many problems could have been avoided with simple precautions. Indeed, many troubles experienced by the owners are caused by a more or less correct use of the equipment of the house. I a sharing a few tips with you, and so that you can protect yourself from unpleasant surprises that are so simple to avoid when you are well-informed.
Maintenance of Ventilation Ducts
They are very important components in a house, but unfortunately, we tend to forget them. Indeed, it isn’t every day that one will search in his/her kitchen hood, behind dryer or in air exchangers! Many homeowners are therefore unaware that ventilation ducts can easily become clogged and cause moisture, mold or even fire hazards.
To prevent this, we advise you to conduct a ventilation duct check once a year. For the dryer, all you have to do is look at the hose behind your appliance, clean what has accumulated and check the outside and inside of the duct. In addition, your dryer will increase efficiency and dry your laundry faster. And for the ducts of the air exchangers and the kitchen hood, look inside the pipes with a flashlight. If you see a cork, it is better to call a specialized professional who will clean these ducts. It is an investment that is worth it and will save you much more expensive problems.
Properly Use a Fan or Hood
Almost all homes are equipped with a hood in the kitchen and a fan in bathroom. But what makes all the difference is when we use them correctly. We often do not operate these devices long enough. They cannot do their job and humidity in house increases. That is why it is very important to operate the hood or fan during and after activities that create moisture like bathing, showering or preparing meals.
The noise of these devices is annoying and you probably want to turn them off as soon as possible, but you must really make an effort and adapt your habits to current homes. Previously, houses were not as well-insulated and air flowed easily through walls. Today’s insulation is very efficient and our homes have become impervious. They do not ‘breathe’ so much and it’s necessary to use ventilation devices to get the moisture out. This is the best way to protect the materials on your property and prevent mold problems.
Sealants
It is another element of our homes that goes unnoticed, but it plays a vital role. In fact, sealants prevent infiltration of water and moisture in certain key areas of the house. Without them, walls and floors would be quickly affected, deformed or molded. Therefore, it is important to repair a sealant as soon as it is blackened or peels off.
In case of damaged sealant, you can do the repair yourself or hire a professional. With an expert, you will not pay very much and you will get a lasting job.
