| In addition to causing destruction, water | | | | house.Grading the soil away from the house |
| damage also has an adverse affect to the | | | | and adding rain gutters will guide rainwater |
| indoor air quality of your home. | | | | away from the house.Openings from the house |
| | | | to the attic and poor ceiling insulation in |
| Damage from water can cause wood rot, insect | | | | houses located in colder climates can lead to |
| infestation and mold .The obvious causes of | | | | ice dams that cause water to back up into the |
| water damage are leaking roofs, windows, | | | | house.Air leakage from the house to the attic |
| doors, foundation cracks and visible plumbing | | | | will carry moisture in the form of humidity |
| leaks. | | | | into the attic that can form water on the |
| | | | underside of the roof leading to rotting and |
| These are fairly easy to detect, enabling a | | | | mold.Typical leakage points between the house |
| quick repair before maximum damage occurs.The | | | | and attic are:leaky attic hatches |
| not-so-obvious culprits are moisture behind | | | | |
| finished basement walls that are insulated | | | | holes drilled for plumbing pipes and |
| with fiberglass; poor grading around | | | | electrical wires that penetrate the attic and |
| foundation walls and air leaks that occur | | | | are usually not sealed |
| between the living space and attic.Insulating | | | | |
| finished basement walls with fiberglass is | | | | Recessed light fixtures that are not the |
| not a good idea.Fiberglass will absorb water | | | | airtight type |
| and not allow it to travel through the wall, | | | | |
| preventing a drying effect.Some people think | | | | Exhaust fans that vent directly into the |
| installing a plastic barrier in the wall is | | | | atticFor those who live in warmer climates, |
| the answer, but this approach only traps | | | | water damage can occur within your walls |
| moisture. | | | | because of poorly designed air conditioning |
| | | | systems.Systems that are oversized (a larger |
| A better way is to use rigid insulation | | | | capacity than necessary)will not remove |
| (also known as blue board).This insulation is | | | | enough humidity which leads to high moisture |
| semi-permeable and allows moisture to travel | | | | levels that condense on cooler surfaces.Duct |
| through the wall, allowing it to dry. | | | | systems that are imbalanced can draw outside |
| | | | humidity through walls that can produce water |
| Water can also enter the basement if the | | | | in the walls.Mitigating these problems |
| grade of the land is pitched toward the | | | | requires a professional. |