We have explored elsewhere the important work that an HVAC system does. In essence, it functions as the lungs of a building. In many ways, it is just as important to the building as your lungs are to your body. Your nose and throat work as a filter for what can and can’t enter your… Read more »
Author: Joey Altherr
Is it a Mold Allergy, or is it COVID-19?
In the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were still not using the word pandemic, and were more likely to call it “coronavirus” than COVID-19. People who were experiencing a large number of symptoms, even those that mimicked the little-known virus simply shrugged them off. “It’s probably the flu,” they said. Or, “It’s my… Read more »
How much does it cost to waterproof a basement or foundation? – Building on high ground, low ground, and hills.
As with most home repairs, costs associated with waterproofing a basement or foundation can vary greatly depending on several factors. Some questions to ask as you start to price your project include: What are the factors on my property that will affect the amount of water that presses against my foundation? How much am I… Read more »
How much does it cost to waterproof a basement or foundation? – Materials and labor costs
In this series of articles about the cost to waterproof the basement or foundation we have already examined some of the most important factors. We have looked at the location of the home. Specifically we have asked whether it is on a hill, in a valley, or on a high plateau. We have looked at… Read more »
How much does it cost to waterproof a basement or foundation? – Square footage, depth, and other considerations
Waterproofing the basement of a home or business is an important investment every owner should make. As with other investments, choosing the cheapest option often turns out to be a bad choice in the long run. Of course if you don’t understand much about waterproofing and building, it’s easy to run the decision through the… Read more »
How Water Damage Hurts Property Values, Especially During Property Transfer
Property owners have a love-hate relationship with water. We need water to be available in many parts of our building. We love a beautiful water feature outside including perhaps a pond and fountain. We know that well-constructed property handles the water that falls from the sky in the form of rain or blows and flows… Read more »
Develop multiple layers of protection against water
Perhaps the most fulfilling part of working as an engineer, architect, builder, or contractor, is getting to create a new building. Knowing that your work contributed to creating a structure that will last a lifetime is very satisfying. Doing everything in your power to make sure it lasts a lifetime or more is an essential… Read more »
How Water Creates Cracks in Foundations Over Time
In many climates, water is the most destructive force of nature acting on buildings. Wild major events like flooding and hurricanes rightly capture headlines with billion dollar damages to properties, daily freeze and thaw cycles are a typical homeowner’s seasonal enemy. This is largely due to an important property specific to water: when it gets… Read more »
Major Medical Problems Caused by Mold
As we have discussed elsewhere, mold can be a hidden hazard in any indoor environment. It can cause a wide range of problems. Most often the result of mold in the environment is that one or more people in that space develop mild allergic symptoms. Mold, however, is frequently blamed for some serious conditions… Read more »
Common Ailments Caused by Mold
Mold can be a hidden hazard in any indoor or outdoor environment. It can cause a range of health problems. These can sometimes be very minor, like simply being irritated because of an unpleasant smell. However, mold can also cause major health problems which could lead to hospitalization and even death. The minor irritations… Read more »
