While summer has its benefits, it also has a few downsides. One of the most common is the emergence of various pests. These not only are annoying to deal with but can sometimes cause serious structural damage. Below you’ll discover some to watch out for and how you can prevent them from getting near your home.
3 Regular Summer Pests
Ticks: Ticks might be small but they can cause serious problems, including Lyme disease. While they don’t necessarily cause structural damage, they can populate quickly. Because of this, if they enter your home you’ll notice they’ll spread swiftly through it.
Termites: Termites are yet another problem to watch out for. Known for their voracious appetite, these insects will slowly eat away at your home’s structure. This can cause it to shift and eventually crumble.
Ants: As with termites, ants can wear down your residence’s foundation. They enjoy wood and will build their nests in it. They’ll also send out brigades in search of water and food. Because of this, you might notice a large presence in your bathroom or kitchen.
How to Prevent Them
If you want to make sure to avoid having to deal with these pesky creatures keep these tips in mind.
Remove Standing Water: Many insects thrive with water puddles. These give them space to lay eggs. It also keeps them hydrated during the hot weather. By sweeping away the standing water or filling holes with gravel, you can naturally decrease their population.
Seal Cracks: Some pests will sneak into cracks to enter your home. This gives them the ability to walk through your walls and find an adequate area to make a nest. If you don’t catch them in time, they’ll quickly spread throughout your living space.
To avoid this, inspect your crawl space and foundation for cracks. You might also want to examine your windows and doors for any crevices. If you notice some, spread some caulking over them.
Clear Garbage and Waste: You’ll also want to be diligent at getting rid of loose garbage and other debris around your home. These can serve as both a food source and hiding spot for these pests.
If you must keep these items outside, make sure to place debris in thick trash bags. You’ll also want to do a thorough cleaning of the containers and area every so often.
Warm weather can unfortunately result in many unsightly and sometimes dangerous creatures. If you suspect your home might have some, contact RCS in Sonoma County. We’ll send a team out to inspect your residence and get to work eliminating any traces of them.
Many times, we don’t know when our plumbing lines are broken until it’s too late. But, there are a few ways you can easily determine when there might be a concern. This post will explain more about what causes this problem and a few indications that you might need to get them repaired.
What Causes Damaged Pipes?
There are many things that could result in ruined pipes. A common culprit is pests. Often, rats will chew into them to not only sharpen their teeth but find a water source. Some might also use the pipes as a tunnel so they can get to different sections of your home.
Another issue is incorrect debris being flushed down the toilet or sink. Some people put grease, paper towels, or food scraps down them. While this might seem harmless at first, you’ll soon find that they can wear down the pipes and even create a blockage. If not caught, it could cause a backup in your sewer system.
Your pipes might also be destroyed due to plant roots. Because your plumbing lines are connected to a septic system, if a tree or bush happens to wrap around the attached drain, it will create punctures. This won’t only break the pipe but cause the toxic debris to seep out.
5 Signs Your Plumbing Lines Need Repair
There are countless ways you can tell if you might need to get a professional to inspect your pipes. Here are some to watch out for.
Your home has a sudden musty or gas-like smell.
You notice an increase of pests around your home.
There are water puddles and moist areas in your living space.
You find that your drains aren’t working well.
There are cracks in your home’s foundation.
How to Protect Your Pipes
If you want to avoid this issue keep these tips in mind.
Do frequent inspections of your home. This can help you catch potential leaks and damages before they become a bigger problem.
Make sure your plumbing lines are properly insulated. If they’re constantly exposed to extreme temperatures, you risk them cracking.
Watch what you flush down the toilet and sink.
Keeping your pipes healthy is crucial if you want to avoid pricey issues. But, if you suspect you might have a broken plumbing line and need it to be fixed, RCS can help. Our reconstruction specialists will get to work identifying the root cause and quickly replacing the damaged pieces to prevent further problems.
Carpet damage is a common yet often overlooked problem in our homes. This post will explain more about it and when you should be worried.
What is Carpet Damage?
Carpet damage comes in a few different types. One is the general wear-and-tear of this material. The longer you have it, the more likely its fibers will start getting worn. Besides this, food and dirt stains could seep into it.
Another form of damage is tears and rips. If your carpet is flimsy or more than a few decades old, you might notice its seams starting to fray. This can leave the baseboard beneath it exposed.
The last main type of carpet damage is from water. This is usually because of some incident that has leaked the liquid into it. While small accidents, like a glass of water, spilling on it aren’t usually a problem, larger and often hidden ones, like leaks, can be. They can make the carpet soggy and eventually turn black due to mold.
Is it Dangerous?
In most cases, carpet damage just looks unsightly. However, if it’s from a water leak, it can be toxic. This is because the moisture will encourage mold to grow. The longer the moisture stays the more time it will give mold spores to spread. Eventually, you’ll notice not only deep black patches on the carpet but a musty smell that indicates the mold is causing the carpet to decompose.
This aroma can be very irritating to your body because it's made up of spores. When you breathe it in, you risk it causing respiratory infections or other allergic reactions.
Besides your health, carpet damage from water can also have a negative impact on your home’s structure. Water will wear down beams and other crucial components. This could make the area unstable.
How is Carpet Damage Fixed?
How a carpet is repaired depends on how severe the problem is. If you only have a tear, that patch might be cut out and replaced with a new section. But, if you have water damage, the entire carpet will usually need to be removed.
To pull up a carpet, a technician will first inspect the outer layer. This will help them see where severe problems might be. A sharp knife will then be used to cut the carpet away from the wall and floor. As it’s rolled up, a worker can see any underlying problems, such as disintegrating floorboards. If there are any issues, they will need to be addressed before a new carpet is laid.
Carpet damage is a concerning problem that’s not only a risk to your home’s foundation but your health. If your residence has carpet damage, give RCS a call in Sonoma County. We can assist with removing it and fixing any other structural problems it might have caused.
As summer approaches, so does the development of various molds. Not only are they unsightly, but they can cause serious health effects. This post will explore more about what encourages mold to develop and a few to watch out for.
What Causes Summer Mold?
One of the main causes of summer mold is humidity. During this season, there is abundant moisture in some parts of the country. When combined with high temperatures, it creates a haven for mold spores.
While mold might develop in a single area, if not removed, its particles will spread. This can be especially problematic if it’s in your crawl space or air ventilation system because they’ll circulate the spores throughout your home.
5 Frequent Summer Molds
Mucor: This fungus is commonly discovered in houseplants and rotting fruits or vegetables. It can also grow near your HVAC system because it thrives on the surrounding moisture. It can be identified thanks to its deep black spots that spread in various directions. While not fatal, mucor can cause mucormycosis - a fungal infection that can irritate your sinuses and skin.
Black Mold: Black mold is often labeled as one of the most toxic types. While dangerous, it’s not necessarily as deadly as some claim. However, if you’re constantly exposed to it, it can result in serious issues.
As with most molds, black mold enjoys dark environments. Because of this, you’ll find it in basements and attics. As its name suggests, this mold leaves behind large black splotches.
Aspergillus: Aspergillus grows on decaying matter. Most of the time, it’s found outdoors and makes its way into your home by having its spores cling to your shoes and clothing.
Aspergillus is known for its bottle-like shape. It appears black, but when removed from a surface, features a yellow-tinted undercoating.
Chaetomium: Chaetomium is one of the more problematic molds. Because of its strength and ability to quickly spread, it can create structural damage and concerning health issues. This variety is usually found near water damage and has a black and yellowish hue.
Penicillium: This mold is frequently found in homes. Many times, its spores can result in respiratory infections. Penicillium usually grows in dark, damp areas. This includes under old mattresses and wallpaper.
Almost every homeowner needs to watch out for mold. If you’re not careful, it could end up being a huge hazard to both your living space and health. If you’re concerned you might have a mold problem, give RCS a call in Santa Rosa. Our experts will quickly arrive to inspect the issue and recommend ways to eradicate it.
