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In this post WWII era of the specialized contractor, many pragmatic consumers have sought out the companies that are experienced in only one trade. Contractors have found their niche and offer a good service at a fair price. Engaging a specialist would seem to be a prudent measure and a good way to invest in one's home or business, as a specialized contractor is usually more efficient in the delivery of a particular service or product. The problems arise, however in the misdiagnosis of an apparent problem such as a wet basement, leaky roof, siding issues, drafty windows, etc.
Salesman that pressure potential clients are losing their effectiveness, but some consumers still buy products from the salesmen whose primary interest is in the selling aspect geared to meet the business quota and avoid a no commission paycheck. If you are pressured in any way to make a purchase, a red flag should go up immediately. You can search this site of over 3000 pages of in-depth information below for more clarification on many topics. You may also call us to evaluate a problem and make a recommendation.
ROOFING
When a problem arises with a leaky roof, a Roofing Company is usually called. This makes perfect sense. The problems arise, however when an experienced applicator installs a new roof without attention to items like ventilation, proper flashing details, etc. The roofing industry has sunken to a new low with the subcontractor applicators, like the salesmen mentioned above, that are used by companies solely for profit.
SIDING
The “Tin-Man” mentality is alive and well but with a new face and with an arsenal of products that are known to leak behind walls and cause major devastation. Consumers unknowingly purchase these products from Siding Companies to enhance their homes and provide a maintenance free exterior. Little do they know that the concentration of leaks can be major and “proper installation” is impossible with these products. The subcontractors that install some of these products either know better, or they know no better. Either way, homeowners should give more thought to having proper, water shedding siding installed by an expert, rather than opting for products that are engineered for ease of application and without regard for their ability to shed water out and away from the home. Even with the proper products, new age installers of the improper products make a mess for the homeowners down the line. Mold and mildew can follow and fester behind walls improperly sided with the popular cladding of today.
REPLACEMENT WINDOWS
Often the first face of replacement window industry a consumer will see is that of a window salesman working for a Replacement Window Company. These salesmen offer a myriad of arguments for the superiority of their products. Many of the reasons to buy replacement windows are valid. The problems often occur after the installation of the windows. Existing issues within a structure are never checked and moisture problems can show up in attics, walls and even on the new windows that were installed. Flashing issues are rarely addressed and leaks in the side walls can go on for years until the realization that mold is inside the walls. Pop-in replacement windows are very often sold because they install easier and big companies with big names are profiting from cheap subcontractors and marginal product offerings.
BASEMENT WATERPROOFING
A problem with a wet basement often is addressed by a Basement Waterproofing Company. This would seem a prudent measure, but a basement expert often overlooks the real cause of wet basement issues. A leaky roof or a non-functioning gutter system, or a broken or overloaded underground drainage system, or an exterior grade issue or ground water problem may be contributing to a wet basement issue. Often the installation of a French Drain system with a sump pump can cause more problems than it can fix. Undermining a foundation by a constant flow of subterranean water will lead to stress and cracks in a foundation, settling and even more leaks! Sealing the interior of some foundation walls can trap water pressure and cause more undermining of the footings.
MOLD REMOVAL
Most Mold Removal Companies are specialists in only the removal of the mold problem. Some companies remove mold as an adjunct part of another specialty service offering. Some companies are called in times of crisis, like that of a basement flood and these established, emergency based companies will begin the drying process before even checking for mold issues. Mold spores are often blown all over the living area and homeowners are made ill because of the overlooking of the preexisting, dormant spores that come to life when the flood occurred. Some Mold Removal Companies blast mold with dry ice or soda before even considering the killing of the live mold and spores. Any endeavor that indiscriminately spreads mold spores is never the right course of action. These companies can cause more harm than good. Often getting rid of the problem creates such urgency that proper procedure is overlooked either because of ignorance of because of self-serving company sales associates and low cost, production crews. Containment and killing should always precede and disruption of either active, or especially, dry and inactive mold. Even government regulation and understanding is far behind the times as to the potential severity of mold and its spores, as they relate to human health and quality of life. Mold spores can make one not only sick, but they can add to one's health problem and make one's home a living hell.
MOISTURE PROBLEMS
Interior moisture issues often arise in various areas after consumers engage the services of: Window Replacement Companies, Siding Companies, Roofing Companies, Ventilation Companies, Insulation Companies and Mold Removal Companies. Often, well meaning businesses will complete a service at a quality level which is considered the highest by industry standards, but by ignorance ancillary items and conditions are overlooked. Sometimes and by contrast, serious quality issues are found in the work of the subcontractors used on the job. Dangerous mold issues sometimes result that can cause major health issues, even to the point of driving homeowners away from their homes until a Mold Removal Company can remove the mold problems.
INSULATION
The addition of attic insulation has become a thriving industry. Valuable information regarding proper ventilation has begun to resonate so that many companies are beginning to regard the importance of intake ventilation as most important. Insulation Companies are beginning to install insulation baffles to prevent the blocking of existing eave intake ventilation. This is a good trend, however either in ignorance, or in the drive to make profit, or in the endeavoring to meet the perceived needs of the client, Air Sealing is often ignored. Resulting higher moisture within the attic can result in mold growth. This is caused by a pressure imbalance caused by cooler temperatures in the attic and existing bypasses in the attic floor. Sometimes and on very cold days after adding attic insulation, steam geysers can be visible to the naked eyes as the conditioned space leaks into the depressurized attic areas. Often, Attic Ventilation is offered as a cure for the problem and often this helps, but it never cures the problem. In some climates, vapor retarders installed on the warm side of the insulation can help, but always Air Sealing should come first. Proper Air Sealing is done by removing the insulation to access the bypasses and sealing them with foam insulation. |