The International Residential Code (IRC) requires that the door separating the garage to the home must be 20-minute fire-rated. This means that the door has successfully passed a test in which it has been subjected to fire, without the use of a hose stream, for 20 minutes without the fire breaching through to the other side.
Foggy windows can be repaired using a defogging procedure. While still a newer repair option, window defogging can produce cosmetic results that help improve visibility in your windows. On the downside, defogging does nothing to restore the window's insulating ability (R-value) to its original level.
However inconvenient fogging is, it isn’t the only issue commonly seen in double pane windows. There are times that a window may appear stained or glossy from the exterior of the home. This condition happens whenever the seal of a Low-E window fails. Low-E, or low-emissivity, glass was created to minimize the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light that comes through your glass, without minimizing the amount of light that enters your home. Low-E glass windows have a microscopically thin coating that is transparent and reflects heat. While it might be possible to replace the glass with a low-E/argon-filled glass, you should consider if the repair is worth the investment. The better option might be replacing the entire window with a newer window because it is labor intensive, which adds up to more cost. If you have concerns about about the condition of your windows, contact a licensed Home Inspector to learn more about your window condition and possible repair or replacement options. ![]() Human being can become very sick from contact with sick animals. Animals can carry many germs or illnesses that can cause many different types of illnesses in people and animals, ranging from mild to serious illness and even death. These illnesses are known as Zoonotic Diseases or zoonoses and can include harmful germs like viruses, bacterial, parasites, and fungi. The CDC, or Center for Disease Control, states that Zoonotic diseases are very common, both in the United States and around the world. Scientists estimate that more than 6 out of every 10 known infectious diseases in people can be spread from animals, and 3 out of every 4 new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals. Because of the close connection between people and animals, it’s important to be aware of the common ways people can get infected with germs that can cause zoonotic diseases. These can include:
The best defense against these diseases is avoidance and cleanliness. The CDC recommends these guidelines:
We all know the saying: “April Showers Bring May Flowers.” But sometimes, April showers bring significant water intrusion to basements through cracks in the foundation, sump pump backups, or sewer backups. Water intrusion may start slowly and seep into your basement un-noticed affecting drywall, flooring and stored items.
We suggest that you routinely inspect your basement during heavy rainfall to check for common signs of moisture. It’s important to properly assess water damage and even consider hiring a professional to inspect any damage. We’ve provided some tips on how you can prepare and protect your home from flooding this spring. ![]() Smoke Alarm Locations Having a sufficient number of smoke alarms located in the proper areas of the home is critical to ensuring that occupants are immediately alerted in the event of a fire. Individual counties, cities, or authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) may have their own requirements for smoke-alarm placement, so homeowners can check with their local building codes if they need specific instructions. The following guidelines, however, can be helpful: Smoke alarms should be installed in the following locations:
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