Wet or Soggy Basement=Possible Mold Problem

Something that should be  a major concern for both Home buyers or home sellers is Household Mold.  This is particularly true in areas that have a high volume of rain such as in the Vancouver Washington Neighborhoods. The American Society of Home Inspectors estimates that 60 % of U.S. homes that have basements, have wet basements and 38% of those homes run the risk of severe basement mold. Most often, the water comes from rainfall or melting snow.

A 1500 square foot roof sheds 1000 gallons of water for every inch of falling rain! There also could be rising groundwater which may be fed by an underground spring. Once the water starts accumulates around the foundation, it will start working its way inside through cracks, joints, and porous materials. Condensation can also add to the problem. It’s also possible that your gutters are not carrying water far enough away from the walls of the house. Whatever is causing the problem, and whether you call in a professional or try to solve it yourself, it needs to be taken care of as soon as possible. Obviously water and moisture can cause damage to the house and its contents and can cause a serious mold problem which can be a real health threat for your family.

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Central Park Homes: Basement Water Problems

Sometimes finding water or moisture in the basement can be traced to small cracks and splits in your driveway.  This is particularly true in older neighborhoods such as Vancouver’s  Central Park.

A seal-coat protects the driveway from the sun’s ultraviolet rays and helps prevent water from seeping through cracks, where it can contribute to freezing/thawing damage or undermining of the driveway, and keep the water and moisture from traveling down into your basement. The appearance of fine cracks in the driveway is a clue that it is time to apply a seal coat. The graying of a driveway’s surface is another indication the asphalt is drying out. Adding a protective coating to the driveway usually is only required about every 3 years or so. It is good insurance for helping to keep your basement dryer.

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Using Accessories to Decorate Your Vancouver Home

No amount of decorating of your Vancouver home can make a house feel like a home without using the right accessories. The correct accessories can be the icing on the cake – the touches that transform a space into a unique and personal reflection of its inhabitants.

Good planning and some basic knowledge about decorating is essential when adding any accessories, for any occasion. You can also make your own accessories. This is a fun way and a cheap way to add some style to your home. For example, things like curtains, pillows and other items made up from any fabrics will soften a room and add comfort to a home.

Many good books on the subject are available and are recommended whether you are new at this or an old pro. Books that cover floors, furniture, doors, windows, furniture arrangement, using flowers and bouquets, painting ideas, tools required, tips and many other ideas are available, as well as the going labor costs if you have to hire outside help.

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Selling Your Vancouver Home? Checkout the Condition of Garage Door & Driveway

Making sure that your home has the right curb appeal is important when selling. One of the first things that potential buyers look at when coming to inspect your home is the garage door and the condition of the driveway.

Many people paint the trim and the garage door thinking it will coverup any needed repairs or blemishes, but sharp Vancouver home buyers will always look at the condition of the garage door, and the driveway. A greasy, oily driveway is a turnoff for buyers, as is broken concrete or asphalt in the driveway.

Spending the time and money to update or upgrade a garage door and any problem driveway will help to sell the home faster.

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Fireplace and Wood Stoves – Ready for a New Season

As fall quickly approaches and the evenings are getting cooler, we automatically look forward to a nice cozy fire. Wood burning stoves and fireplaces are common in many Vancouver homes here in Washington and Portland, and it is important to remember to be careful when building and burning fires in them. Routine maintenance and cleaning is the best way to prevent accidental fires from happening.

A good spark arrestor at the top of the chimney is a must and will stop sparks from coming out of the chimney and starting roof fires on your own roof or your neighbors roof.

Cleaning the fireplace or stove regularly can help guard against fires. Ash or creosote buildup in the flue can catch fire if the buildup has accumulated over a period of time and the fire temperature is hot. Creosote can be eliminated by maintaining a big, hot fire instead of small, smoky or wet fire which leads to creosote build up. The best solution is to hire a professional, licensed chimney sweep to properly clean the chimney flue and damper at least once a year. Learn the types of wood that is best for your needs.

Have a good screen or glass enclosure on the front of your fireplace to keep sparks from coming out of the fireplace and onto the floor or carpet in front of it.

Don’t leave a fireplace burning, or wood stove burning when no one is there to monitor the fire. Don’t go to bed with a fire burning..this can be very dangerous and life threatening.

Take time to check your fireplace or wood burning stove before the cold weather arrives. If you are not able to do this yourself, hire a professional chimney sweep to do the job. A good chimney sweep will also advise you on any important fireplace or stove repairs needed.

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