…… that's why. The picture above shows water damage at the floor framing level in the entry door area of the house we are currently working on. The entry door we're replacing is not that old. This is only one of several areas we found in this home that have severe wood rot. The wood rot is due to a very poorly done previous remodel. This is a prime example what can happen over time if homeowners don't do their due diligence and hire professionals that know what they're doing. So what happened? Simple answer: Improper installation of a new front door with no flashing and waterproofing measures. Small amounts of water were able to penetrate the wall and floor framing under the door threshold which in turn slowly turned the floor framing to mush. We repaired the wood rot and had our roofing and waterproofing contractor – Stazon Roofing – install a proper metal flashing piece before the new front door gets installed. 

The new front door will be installed on top of this flashing piece. What you probably can't see in this picture is that the flashing piece has a an end dam (a small piece of metal that is bent up) -so if any water ever does get under the door threshold, it won't go far. 

Other areas of constant water damage we see in projects is in poorly installed or non-existing shower pans. 

Above you can see a properly installed shower pan, filled with water awaiting plumbing inspection. These liners are installed over a mortar bed for proper drainage and should not have any punctures or penetrations. We just recently had to tear out an entire shower due to an improperly installed shower liner…… a very expensive repair for our client.

As you can see, the potential areas for mistakes that can cost you a lot of money are endless, that's why you should always do your due diligence and hire professional and licensed contractors for any job.

 Written by:

Marc Kleinmann
EGC Custom Homes
http://DallasGreenBuilding.com
m.kleinmann@EGCDallas.com 
  

Various types of leaks may occur in your home and may not present themselves until it rains. There are all sorts of places where water and moisture can penetrate the interior of your home from the outside like roofs, windows, walls, and fireplaces,

Keep in mind that many building materials are very porous like concrete, cinder-block, and mortar. When they are left untreated, it’s inevitable that over time, water will seep through them and create more damage like mold or small and large cracks in the walls and flooring. Keeping your home properly protected from the elements will save on energy expenses as well as keep unwanted insects or rodents from intruding your home.

There are number of solutions which can help repair and prevent water or moisture intrusion such as correct flashing installation, using the correct sealants and the proper application of specific wall systems for these types of problems is significant. Unprofessional or unknowledgeable attempts at these repairs can cost you more time and money down the line. And you may regret cutting corners in these areas.

You also want to be sure you don’t neglect the lower areas of your home. Basements and other below grade areas are ideal for storage, wine cellars or additional living space.  This area can be a magnet to water and moisture damage and it would be greatly beneficial to take all the necessary precautions to ensure that the space is kept moisture free.

Heavy rain, runoff, gutters installed incorrectly or gutters that have been poorly placed and many other factors may allow water to accumulate in the soil, creating hydrostatic pressure over time.  This can cause the basement to crack and leak which can lead to electrical hazards, mold and mildew growth, insect problems and structural and peripheral damage. The damage may look worse than it is and may be easily remedied. Your professional waterproofing company will know the best solutions to these leaks and water intrusion problems. Many of the products used for these purposes are ENERGY STAR^® rated.

DGBA Video Series: A Garden in the sky….

Waterproofing protects your home from allowing water and moisture from getting in where it doesn’t belong. But it is not just wetness you’re protecting your home against. There can be serious long-term ramifications from improper waterproofing.

Heavy rain, runoff, poorly placed gutters and many other factors may allow water to accumulate in the soil, creating hydrostatic pressure over time. This accumulation can cause the foundation to crack and leak and may cause electrical hazards, mold and mildew growth, insect problems and structural damage to your property.

Waterproofing is an extensive term and includes the application of coating systems, caulking, and sealants. They all play an intricate part in protecting your property and keeping it air and water tight.

There are an assortment of coating systems, caulking and sealants which help safeguard your exterior walls, concrete floors, windows and water features from moisture, chemicals, and heat and freeze-thaw damage. Many applications are ENERGY STAR® rated and come in a variety of colors, styles and textures which can be customized specifically for your decorative and architectural needs.

It is recommended to allow a professional to fill your waterproofing needs. They are trained to detect any unforeseen problem areas that others may not be able to identify.  This preventative maintenance can help to ensure your family and your home is properly protected for years to come.

(jaz)

Caulking is a form of waterproofing which is essential for keeping your home safe. Not only is it crucial on the inside but also as protection from the elements and other intrusions from the elements and other intrusions from the outside.
 
Think of caulking as putting a force field around your property. This force field protects your home by seaming joints and cracks. Caulking stops insects from getting in where they don’t belong, and that’s just scratching the surface of the many benefits of having your home properly caulked. Here are a few additional benefits:

• Save on cooling and heating costs
• Improve property value
• Improve living conditions
• Prevent moisture and mold from developing
• Prevent possible structural damage

Caulking IS green. By sealing your home and keeping cool air inside in the warmer months and out in the cooler months, your home is more energy efficient.

It is recommended to hire a professional to fill any waterproofing or caulking needs you may have. They are trained to detect any unforseen issues that others may not be able to identify. This preventative maintenance can help ensure your family and home is properly protected for years.

Structural Insulated Sheathing(SIS),Developed by Dow to help make building energy efficient homes easier for builders, STYROFOAM SIS™ is a 3-in-1 solution that provides R3-R5.5 insulating value, meets or exceeds structural codes, and is one-third the weight of OSB*. Because OSB and housewrap are not needed, STYROFOAM SIS™ reduces the number of trips around the house and saves on installation time and labor costs. The innovative STYROFOAM SIS™ Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing from Dow combines three functions in one product:

1.     Structural lateral bracing and transverse loads

2.     Significant insulation performance

3.     Water-resistive barrier

In addition to providing the racking shear needed for exterior walls, STYROFOAM SIS™ blankets both the wall cavities and the studs to shield against thermal bridging which minimizes heating and cooling loss due to air infiltration. STYROFOAM SIS™ also helps move the dew point from inside the wall cavity (where mold and mildew can accumulate and go undetected) to outside of the wall cavity where it belongs, and, when taped at the seams and joints, STYROFOAM SIS™ meets code for water-resistive barrier.

Builders are incorporating STYROFOAM SIS™ into "green" package options for their customers as a point of differentiation.  Made of up to 80 percent post-consumer recycled content by weight, STYROFOAM SIS™ is also ENERGY STAR-qualified and can save homeowners between $200- $500 per year*** in energy bills. The reduction in home energy usage helps reduce carbon emissions and may enable the use of a smaller HVAC unit, which could earn credits in the USGBC’s LEED program or NAHB’s National Green Building program. 

The thermal performance advantages of STYROFOAM SIS™ can also help builders earn the $2,000 U.S. Energy Tax Credit for energy efficient homes built in 2009. STYROFOAM SIS™ provides a high R-value (R-3.0 at 0.5" or R-5.5 at 1.0") without having to extend window and door jambs, and is cost-competitive with wood sheathing and house wrap in many instances, so builders can promote the benefits of insulation with little to no added expense.

STYROFOAM SIS™ Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing has won an MVP Award for "Most Valuable Product 2009" from Building Products  magazine, a Hanley Wood publication. STYROFOAM SIS™ was selected as a winner of this coveted award by a panel of judges comprised of builders, remodelers, architects and developers who evaluated product submissions based on their ability to reduce installation time, callbacks, or labor costs, and other factors that bring "value" to building professionals.

Click the link below to calculate energy savings for your home:http://building.dow.com/na/en/tools/calculators/usres_disclaimer_new.htm

 For all the information on this product go to: www.dowsis.com