CHECK THE GRADING AROUND YOUR HOME

Ultimately, we want our homes built up on a bit of a hill. We want all the slopes around the house to allow water to run AWAY from our foundation and our spaces. The more water we can keep away from our homes, the better for our interiors Moisture is quickly absorbed by our foundation walls and can create a really damp, humid environment inside the home

We know that high humidity inside the home can not only promote mold and mildew growth, but it can also create an environment where VOCs off gas at a more rapid rate and dust mites reproduce and make their homes.

By keeping the moisture away from the home through what we call, POSITIVE GRADING, you can not only prevent a multitude of problems to your foundation wall, but you can also improve your indoor air quality by reducing moisture inside

Take a quick walk around your home early this summer to see if any of the soil nearby is sloping towards the walls of your home. If it is, check out this tutorial on how to grade your hard slope by Amy at Pretty Purple Door It’s easy to follow and she’s got it explained down to a science It’s really less complicated to fix these things than you think and it will help the interior of your home as well

SEAL GAPS & HOLES

Whatever kind of siding or trim you have at home, it’s important to check it at least once a year to make sure that your home doesn’t have open spots that allow moisture or insects to get behind your siding.

If you do find a gap or hole in the siding, you can most often easily seal it up with an exterior caulk or silicone. This will help keep the thermal barrier of your home intact and prevent any insects from creating a home in your walls

The more secure your thermal barrier is, the more controlled your indoor environment is Elements from the outdoors can quickly affect your interior if there are spaces left unsealed. Moisture that gets behind siding often has no way of getting our or evaporating, which can cause big problems behind your walls without you evening knowing it

A damp and humid space inside means not only an uncomfortable environment but also a space that promotes mildew and mold growth, off-gassing of VOCs, and dust mite reproduction