Clinton Township Newsletter

4 A u g u s t 2 0 1 5 www.ClintonTwpNewsletter.com www.ClintonTwpNewsletter.com Your hair is a form of expression, like artwork. We promise that you'll always leave Hair Studio 55 feeling confident and beautiful! P r e v e n t W a t e r D a m a g e n O W ! by Anne Thornton, President, MSI Plumbing & Remodeling Now is the time to inspect your house to help prevent leaks and water intrusion before winter arrives. Look at the following areas of your home regularly to make sure they remain in good condition. 1. Flashing: Flashing, usually a thin metal strip found around doors, windows, thresholds, chimneys and roofs, is designed to prevent water from getting into spaces where two different building surfaces meet. 2. Vents: All vents, including clothes dryer, gable vents, attic vents and exhaust vents, should have hoods, exhaust to the exterior, be in good working order, and have boots. 3. Attics: Check for holes, air leaks, or bypasses from the house and make sure there is enough insulation to keep house heat from escaping. Among other things, air leaks and inadequate insulation results in ice damming. Check the bottom side of the roof sheathing and roof rafters / trusses for water stains. 4. Basements: Make sure that basement windows and doors have built-up barriers around them. Inspect your sump pump to ensure it is working properly (a battery backup system is recommended for sump pumps). The sump pump should discharge as far away from the house as possible. 5. Humidity: The relative humidity in your home should be between 30% and 50%. Condensation on windows, wet stains on walls and ceilings and musty smells are signs that you may have too much humidity in your home. Check areas where air does not easily circulate, such as behind curtains, under beds, and in closets for dampness and mildew. Be sure to use bathroom exhaust fans following warm showers or baths. When going on trips, turn the temperature up on the air conditioning, not off. The AC system helps remove moisture from your home. 6. Air Conditioners: Check drain pans to insure they drain freely, are adequately sloped toward the outlets and that no standing water is present. Make sure drain lines are clean and clear of obstructions. 7. Expansion Joints: Expansion joints are materials between bricks, pipes and other building materials that absorb movement. If expansion joints are not in good condition, water intrusion can occur. If there are cracks in the joint sealant, remove the old sealant, install a backer rod and fill with a new sealant. 8. Exterior Wood Sheathing and Siding: Replace any wood siding and sheathing that appears to have water damage. Inspect any wood sided walls to ensure there is at least 8" between any wood and the earth. 9. Drywall: Since drywall is an extremely porous material and is difficult to dry out completely, damaged areas should be replaced if any signs of moisture are present. 10. Exterior Walls: Exterior walls should be kept well painted and sealed. Don't place compost or leaf piles against the outside walls. Landscape features should not include soil or other bedding material mounded up against walls. 11. Landscaping: Keep trees trimmed so that branches are at least 7 feet away from any exterior house surface. This will help prolong the life of your siding and roof and prevent insects from entering your home from the tree. Vines should be kept off all exterior walls, because they can help open cracks in the siding, which allows moisture or insects to enter the house. 12. Irrigation: Inspect and adjust the spray pattern of the irrigation heads to minimize the water sprayed directly onto the house to avoid excessive water near the foundation. For more information about remodeling and improving your home, please visit us at our showroom, give us a call or visit us online. MSI Plumbing & Remodeling • 908.735.4438 • www.FindSolutionsOnline.com. Summer Is A Great Time to Remodel! 908.735.4438 www.FindSolutionsOnline.com Kitchens Bathrooms Basements Water Heaters Sump Pumps Leaks ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ 1109 Route 31 South Lebanon, NJ 08833 New Jersey Licensed Master Plumber #12770

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