Not Using Bathroom and Laundry Vent Fans
Because of the high humidity in
bathrooms and laundry areas, vent fans should never be disconnected or unused.
The fan should always be turned on during use of the room even if it is
noisy. Failure to use vent fans can result in water vapor getting into the drywall,
electrical outlets and even the framing members. Over time, mold, mildew and
fungi may grow in these areas. Water vapor that condenses on walls and windows
can eventually find its way into the walls of the home and weaken the
structure through dry rot. Rooms where humidifiers are used should also be well
ventilated. Tip: If you are not using your fan because of noisiness, I
suggest that you have the fan replaced with one that is advertised as low noise
or quiet. Fans are relatively inexpensive and in the long run could save you
thousands of dollars in moisture related repairs.
Overloading
Upper Cabinets
When stacking heavy dishes and
glassware in an upper cabinet, a homeowner can load the cabinet beyond its
capacity. This can result in sagging shelves, or worse yet, detachment of the
cabinet from the wall. Heavy china and cookware should always be placed in the
lower cabinets. Do not overload cabinet drawers with heavy items and take care
to not pull drawers out too far. This can result in the plastic guide being
snapped off at the back of the cabinet drawer. Tip: Lower cabinets rest
on the floor and are a better choice for storing heavy items.
Tinting
Dual Pane Windows
Homes with dual pane windows
(also known as double-glazed windows or insulating windows) have two panes of
glass that are separated by a spacer up to 5/8 inch in thickness. The air space
between the dual panes is “dead air.” This area is so tightly sealed that air
can neither enter nor leave the space. By placing a tinting film on
the inside of the window, the sun’s rays are reflected back into the
dead air space. The temperature in this space can become so hot that it may
cause the elastic seal to rupture, causing the insulating value of the window
to be lost. Windows with broken or ruptured seals are easy to identify:
they have moisture between the panes of glass. Homeowners should never tint a
dual pane window on the inside unless it is specifically approved by the window
manufacturer.
Nancy Puder is a real estate broker with Nancy Puder & Associates, the premier
boutique real estate company in Arroyo Grande. You are invited to contact Nancy
with questions concerning your property anytime as she always enjoys hearing
from you! Text or phone (805)710-2415 or email Nancy@NancyPuder.com. To enjoy
other real estate articles written by Nancy, go to www.NancyPuderAssociates.com
or Facebook.com/Nancy Puder
Realtor.
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