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Sheet Metal Failures

< ![endif]–> < ![endif]–> By Mike Tonsbeek Many building interior moisture intrusion issues are attributed to sheet metal failures. The primary cause for this condition is failed caulking joints. There are several reasons why these joints fail, such as inadequate attachment to the sheet metal components to adjoining surfaces such as walls, chimneys and other [...]

Are Dallas Builders Ready for Sustainability?

Last week the Dallas HBA's two-day seminar for "Green Building for Building Professionals" was a packed house of builders, suppliers, city planners, and designers.  It was exciting to have a large turnout to learn about sustainable home construction however, there was resistance to acknowledge the feasibility of making these changes with their customers.  While I [...]

A Solution to Mold and Mildew? Germicidal Lamps

  Germicidal lamps work along side other indoor air filtration systems to keep your indoor air quality healthy. The lamp uses intense rays of ultraviolet light to kill and control things like bacteria and mold that grow inside your home.  Research has shown that the air in your home may be up to five times [...]

How Clean Is The Air In Your Home?

Weather you are living in a newly built home or an older one you and your family are at risk of suffering from poor indooor air qulaity. There are three types of contaminants that can cause the air quality in your home to be poor. First there are particles which include things like pet dander, [...]

The Evils of Ponding Water

  What is ponding water?  Ponding water as defined by the NRCA, National Roofing Contractors Association, as water that remains on a roof surface longer than 48 hours after the termination of the most recent rain event. Long-term ponding water on a roof surface is one of the most destructive conditions that can adversely affect [...]

Bottled Water is neither Cleaner, nor Greener

As I was looking on the web for some information about bottled water, I stumbled on to this article. I feel that there is a bit more to building a green project, than products or services. I believe its a “Life Style.”  Wanting to do our part as individuals, check out this article below, and [...]

Out With The Old & In With the New! R-22 vs R-410A Refrigerant

For the past 40 years R-22 has been the refrigerant of choice for most residential H.V.A.C. equipment. R-22 is a chlorine based HCFC. An HCFC molecule is made of chlorine, fluorine, carbon and hydrogen atoms. It has been tested and is believed that because of how R-22 is produced, that it plays a part in [...]

Thermal Bridging… and its role in wall assemblies! – Part1 of 7

What is thermal bridging and why is it important that we pay close attention to its effects in the homes we build? The importance lies in the different materials we use to build our wall systems, how much of these materials we use and what conductivity these materials have. We all know that exterior walls [...]

Why is Duct Testing Important?

In residential central heating and cooling systems, the conditioned (heated or cooled) air is delivered to each room of the home through a "supply" duct system, the first half of the duct system. These ducts are used as pathways to deliver air to each room in the home and the "return" duct system or second [...]

What is Geothermal Heating & Cooling?

Geothermal technology uses the earth’s renewable energy, located below the earth’s surface to heat and cool your home. A few hundred feet below your home the earth’s temperature remains a constant 45 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.  Wells are drilled around your home at a depth of 250-300 feet. Pipe is then dropped into the holes which creates a [...]