Ten years ago, that new tree you planted looked great, didn’t it? But now, you sometimes feel that same tree is attacking your house. It’s really close to your house. The roots are sticking up out of the ground and tunneling under your house.
The Damage Trees Can Inflict On Your Foundation
Trees can cause lots of different types of foundation damage. Even if the roots are not growing near your foundation, the roots of large trees soak up a lot of water. Unfortunately, that dries out the soil around your home and over time, causes foundation damage.
Trees + Water + Foundation = Bad
Trees use a lot of water. On a hot summer day, some trees can use as much as 15 gallons every hour. It’s incredible! A large oak tree can draw 50 gallons of water every day.
There are high water demand trees, as well as low water demand trees, so if you’re thinking of doing some spring planting, here are some tips. Plant conifers like cedar, pines and spruce or other trees like beech and birch; all are low water demand.
High demand trees are oaks, maples (especially Manitoba and silver varieties) willows and elms. If you have any of these large and established high demand trees anywhere close to your foundation, that might spell trouble. Even moderate water demand trees like maples (sugar and red), ash or cherry can create foundation issues, particularly in hot weather.
Because of the moisture taken away by the tree, your foundation can settle on one side but not on the other. The concrete may crack and even collapse without the soil support underneath.
How to Prevent Foundation Damage from Trees
Of course, it’s always best to not plant next to your foundation. But if that is unavoidable, use soaker hoses around the foundation to keep the soil moist. It means a bit higher water bill, but that pales in comparison to what a foundation repair might cost. You might even consider removing landscaping or cutting down any problematic trees.
You can also have tree root barricades installed to stop roots from growing into the foundation. They'll typically be installed about five feet away from the foundation for trees that are within 20 to 30 feet of your house.
Your water heater, while you may not interact with it directly, is an appliance that your entire family uses every day. It is responsible for making water in your home warmer whenever you want it to be, from taking a shower to washing your dishes. The threat of losing your hot water is bad enough, but you also want to avoid the costly and hazardous structural damage caused by a leaky water heater. Below are the main signs of a water heater malfunction so you can get it addressed sooner rather than later.
3 Signs Your Water Heater Needs Repair
Your water is cold.
If cold water is coming from your faucets and sinks all the time, it is because your water heater has little to no more heat left. Sedimentation is a common cause of this, and it is the accumulation of sediment at the base of the heater’s tank. Faulty heating elements also cause this. We use the hot water in our homes often enough that we usually notice when the temperature drops even a little. Unless someone in the home is using more hot water than normal and draining the tank, a temperature drop is a sign that something needs to be repaired.
You hear a weird noise in its vicinity
If your heater is making popping, clunking, or rumbling noises, this is a sign that the water in your heater is boiling or overheating. The noise is primarily coming from water that is trapped under the sediment, similar to how boiled water in a pot will push up a lid that tried to keep it contained. With this in mind, it is possible for your heater to burst as a result of overheating. Again, contact a repair service right away.
There is a puddle or wet material in the water heater's vicinity
If you notice warer near or underneath your water heater, find out where this water is coming from, fast. This could be caused by one of multiple different things from a leaky gasket to a leaky pipe to a loose fitting. Make sure that your connections are all secure and tight, with no holes or leaks anywhere. If you see a hole or notice something you cannot fix right away, shut off the water and have a repairman solve this problem.
It is also possible for the temperature pressure valve to leak water. If you see puddles forming around this valve, examine it to make sure that it is closing properly. In some cases, this valve will turn out to be defective, and will have to be replaced. A faulty temperature pressure valve needs to be replaced as soon as possible, as it can lead to very serious consequences such an explosion from your heater’s tank.
If you see rusty looking water near the base of your water heater, the base is leaking and rusting out. This is a sign to get a new heater when this happens.
After a leak, seek water extraction services to ensure the area is free of water damage and the opportunity for mold growth.
Regular Examinations
Be sure that you are following a scheduled examination of your water heater from qualified professionals, as it is the most effective way to identify, solve, and prevent these problems in the future. It is also necessary to drain your heater at least once a year to fully clean it of sediment.
When’s the last time you gave your attic a good cleaning? Could there be mold or water damage in your crawl space? What about rodents or insects?
Keep reading and find out how to know if your attic needs attention. Then, check out five signs that tell you it’s time to clean your attic or crawlspace.
How to Know if Your Attic Needs Cleaning
Do you have an attic maintenance and cleaning schedule? You don’t have to check in often, but you should inspect and clean your attic or crawlspace at least twice a year: once in the spring, and again before the winter.
Other times you should check on or clean up your crawl space are covered in the five tips below.
If you’ve never had a professional crawl space inspection before, it’s a good idea to schedule one. A restoration and cleaning expert can look at your attic or crawlspace and search for potential issues, including:
Mold or water damage
Insufficient insulation
Improper ventilation
Weak support structure
Animal or insect intrusions
Rotting wood or other structural damages
5 Signs It’s Time to Clean Your Attic or Crawlspace
Want to know when it’s time to clean your crawlspace? Here are five signs that tell you the time is now!
Strange Sounds
Hearing scurrying above you or in the walls? Noticing a lot more insect traffic in your house? Critters love to make themselves at home in attics and crawl spaces. If you hear strange noises, you may have pests in your house.
Discovery of Asbestos
If you recently found out that any part of your property contains asbestos, schedule a professional inspection immediately. Asbestos can be dangerous and needs to be removed safely, even from the attic.
Recent Severe Weather
After a rain or snow storm, you want to check out your crawl spaces for possible leaks or water damage. During heat waves, you want to be sure your attic is properly ventilated and hasn’t become home to any new animals.
Animal Droppings or Unexplained Garbage
If a rodent takes up residence in your crawl space, it will usually give itself away in a matter of time. Look for small animal droppings as an indicator of mice or rats. Other animals, like birds and raccoons, are known for collecting garbage. If you see garbage in weird places, that’s another sign you have an unwelcome guest in your crawlspace or attic.
Unpleasant Smell
Inexplicable and foul smells are a sign of trouble. It could mean you have mold in your crawl space. Likewise, you may have an animal carcass in your attic. Either way, unpleasant odors tell you there’s something wrong in your attic.
Want to know how to best protect your family from fire? Read on to get the 4-1-1 on installing, testing and purchasing smoke detectors in your home.
Where to Install Smoke Detectors
Proper placement of smoke detectors ensures your home and family are protected without the inconvenience of a false alarm every time you cook dinner. The size and layout of your house determine the effective number and placement of these life-saving units.
To get started, install smoke detectors:
On every floor, including the basement
Near the kitchen but 10 feet from the stove
In each sleeping area and hallway
By the stairways of each floor
Ten feet from fire risks, like electrical panels and fireplaces
Avoid drafty areas. Exterior doors, windows, heating and cooling ducts create air flow which dissipates smoke and delays alarms from sounding. Install smoke detectors on the ceiling or four inches down on the wall. Smoke fills a room from the top. These placements catch the first signs of trouble.
How to Test Smoke Detectors
Low battery and indicator lights provide inadequate proof that a smoke detector works. Testing your units monthly ensures they work properly. Match this task to another monthly chore to jog your memory. Simply hold the test button for a few seconds, and the alarm activates.
A crisis test uses a match, candle or aerosol to set off the alarm. This test ensures smoke triggers the alarm and any interconnected alarms. Use this opportunity to run an unplanned fire drill as well. Develop an action plan with your family, and practice during these crisis tests.
Whether low or not, switch out your batteries twice a year. If you live in a part of the country that observes Daylight Saving Time, replace all smoke detector batteries when you spring ahead and when you fall back.
Which Smoke Detectors to Purchase
With the options on the market, what do you look for in a smoke detector? Price, warranty and sensor type vary by brand and style. The most important feature? Knowing what you are getting and how it works.
You can choose from:
Battery-operated or hardwired units
Stand-alone or interconnected detectors
Those with special features
Voice and mobile alerts and alarm shut offs allow you to monitor smoke detectors while away or busy. Smart detection gives you the location of the fire. Silence buttons quiet alarms for a set time without interrupting function. And, ones that include carbon monoxide sensing protect your family from two foes at once.
