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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(ARA) - When building our new homes, we focus most on the aesthetics -- the size of the bedroom, the color of the walls, the countertop materials. But there are other more important and often ignored structural aspects that need to be addressed first, in order to build homes that are strong, durable and well-protected.
According to Consumer Reports, an estimated 15 percent of all new homes have serious structural defects and damages that homeowners don’t discover until months or even years after they move in. The best way to defend your home against these hidden dangers is to be aware of them and engage in constant dialogue with your builder even before construction begins. Here are some things to look out for:
Water Damage: Mold, rot and insect infestation are only some of the results of water damage. In order to avoid water leakage into your home, make sure that your roof, windows and doors are properly installed, there is ample drainage space behind brick or siding and that you have appropriate flashing around penetrations and joints.
Termites: According to the National Pest Management Association, termites cause as much as $5 billion worth of damage every year. More than two-thirds of the United States faces serious termite risk, and termite damage is almost never covered by homeowners’ insurance. It is therefore imperative that you install the best termite protection available, especially in areas that are hidden from view, such as underneath your home.
One product that protects these hidden areas is Impasse Termite Blocker, a revolutionary, highly effective, pre-construction termite solution that is built right into your new home’s foundation. It features a termiticide that is “locked in” between durable polymer layers to maintain product effectiveness and minimize exposure to the environment. Installed before the concrete slab is poured, Impasse Termite Blocker protects a home’s most vulnerable termite entry points -- gaps in the slab foundation around utility penetrations and bath trap areas -- providing long-lasting, targeted protection against devastating termite damage.
Indoor Air Pollutants: The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the air inside a new home can be two to five times more polluted than the outside air. Possible causes include lack of proper ventilation, house dust and the emission of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from materials such as fresh paint, cleaning solutions, etc. Talk to your builder about using alternates to VOC emitting materials and installing equipment such as energy recovery ventilators to reduce relative humidity levels, as most air pollutants can’t survive in any sizeable quantities below 50 percent relative humidity.
Your home is the biggest and most important investment you’ll ever make, so be sure to protect it from dangers, both overt and hidden.
For more information, please visit www.impasse.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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