DIY Builds
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What keeps mold from coming back?

To Prevent Mold Growth in Your Home. Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you can—no higher than 50%–all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. You can buy a meter to check your home's humidity at a home improvement store.

Does an appraiser look in every room?
Does an appraiser look in every room?

An appraiser visits your home for about 30 minutes to a few hours to measure its dimensions, examine amenities, and evaluate the overall condition...

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Is it cheaper to build a pole barn or garage?
Is it cheaper to build a pole barn or garage?

The main advantage of opting for pole barn construction is cost savings. Without having to worry about creating a formal foundation, you will save...

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Are shed plans easy to follow?
Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

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Mold can cause many health effects. For some people, mold can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash. People with asthma or who are allergic to mold may have severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung disease may get infections in their lungs from mold. There is always some mold around. Molds have been on the Earth for millions of years. Mold can get in your home through open doors, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can be brought indoors on clothing, shoes, bags, and even pets. Mold will grow where there is moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been a flood. Mold grows on paper, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

If You Have Mold in Your Home

Mold can look like spots. It can be many different colors, and it can smell musty. If you see or smell mold, you should remove it. You do not need to know the type of mold. If mold is growing in your home, you need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem. Mold can be removed from hard surfaces with household products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of household laundry bleach in 1 gallon of water.

If You Use Bleach to Clean up Mold

Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce a poisonous gas. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when you use bleach or any other cleaning product.

Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.

Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles during cleanup of affected areas.

If you need to clean more than 10 square feet, check the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, which gives advice on all building types. You can get it by going to the EPA web site at https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-remediation-schools-and-commercial-buildings-guide .

To Prevent Mold Growth in Your Home

How thick should a pole barn floor be?
How thick should a pole barn floor be?

Six inches of thickness should be more than adequate for areas where heavy equipment will be driven and parked. For lesser loads, four inches. Now...

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How much does a decent shed cost?
How much does a decent shed cost?

The average cost to build a shed is $3,634, with most homeowners paying between $1,767 to $9,567 (or $20 to $175 per square foot). Small-scale...

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Is it better to insulate walls from outside or inside?

Interior insulation is cost effective, but can reduce usable space and doesn't protect against water. Exterior insulation is expensive and susceptible to insects. Regardless of the insulation choice, efficiency, toxicity and resiliency must all be taken into account as well.

Insulation is one of the most complicated choices builders and architects face during construction. Interior insulation is cost effective, but can reduce usable space and doesn’t protect against water. Exterior insulation is expensive and susceptible to insects. Regardless of the insulation choice, efficiency, toxicity and resiliency must all be taken into account as well. The Mar-flex team has put together a quick “cheat sheet” to outline the differences, advantages and disadvantages of each type of insulation.

Minimizes thermal bridging and reducing heat loss through the foundation

Protects the waterproofing membrane from damage during backfilling

Serves as a capillary break to moisture intrusion

Protects the foundation from the effects of the freeze-thaw cycle

Reduces the potential for condensation on surfaces in the basement

Conserves indoor space, relative to installing insulation on the interior

Costs may be high depending on materials and approach selected

Expensive for an existing building unless a perimeter drainage system is being installed at the same time

May be susceptible to insect infestation, however Mar-flex offers insect resistant materials

Contractors may be unfamiliar with proper detailing procedures that are critical to performance Buildings with high radon will need a radon mitigations system to use exterior insulation Interior insulation is much less expensive to install than exterior insulation for existing buildings Almost any insulation type can be used, however rigid foam EPS is recommended The space is isolated from the colder earth more effectively than when using external methods

DISADVANTAGES of insulation on the INTERIOR of basement walls:

How do I measure for a roll up door?
How do I measure for a roll up door?

Measure the width of the rough opening at the widest point. This is the distance between the right and left sides of the finished opening in feet...

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What is the best cover for firewood?
What is the best cover for firewood?

A woodshed is the most durable and best option for protecting your firewood. It is specifically designed to store firewood and usually comes with a...

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Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

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What renovations do not add value?
What renovations do not add value?

6 House Improvements To Avoid. ... A Swimming Pool Or Hot Tub. ... Elaborate Professional Landscaping. ... Garage Conversion. ... Unique Wallpaper....

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These are the Best Shed Plans!
These are the Best Shed Plans!

Comprehensive and Intuitive to follow. Build That Shed!

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Are plastic or wooden sheds better?
Are plastic or wooden sheds better?

Although the general sturdiness of new plastic sheds are improving, wood is still the sturdier counterpart. And whilst a plastic shed can be...

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