How Spray Foam Insulation Work

If you do an energy audit in your home, you’ll discover that a lot of heat is escaping through your walls and attic. This is how you know that insulation is important. Insulation will seal the air that circulates in your home so you don’t have to spend a lot of money on your utility bill. Did you know that heating eats up more than half of your monthly power bill?

Modern home insulation techniques apply the second law of thermodynamics, which states that heat flow from warmer spaces to colder areas. For the longest time, fiberglass batt has been the primary choice for insulation. But because it is fairly expensive, another alternative came to be, and many homeowners prefer to use it because it’s well within their budget.

What is Spray Foam Insulation?

Right now, spray foam is the most popular material for insulating homes. It can fill the spaces between the walls and attic, more particularly the framing studs. It is also technically non-toxic and will last you for almost a lifetime. Spray foam also has the tendency to expand several times its original volume, thus filling the air gaps effectively. So even if the material used for your walls and attic expands your insulation will be expanding along with it.

If you’re just insulating small parts of the wall, buying tanks of spray foam from local contractors may be the more cost-efficient choice. Just be sure that you’re wearing the proper gear when installing it. But if you’re insulating a bigger area, such as 200 square feet or more, then you should consider hiring the professionals.

How to Apply Spray Foam Insulation

If you want to install spray foam insulation on your own, be sure that you’re aware of the risks and health hazards associated with it. You need the proper equipment and wear the right gear to ensure that everything turns out well. Here are more tips to get you started.

1. Test the spray first.

You have to know how the spray form behaves so you can apply it accordingly. Spray foam expands up to a hundred times its original volume. By doing a test spray, you’ll know how much you should apply in the different areas of your home.

2. Spray evenly.

The places that need spray foam most are the studs and the backside of exterior sheathing. Spray the foam evenly and let it expand accordingly. Make sure that it fills the gaps and creases in the wall, especially in the attic.

3. Shave away excess foam.

After applying, allow the foam to set and form. Then use a handsaw blade to shave away the excess, particularly the ones that extend past the studs. Excess foam has to go so it won’t get in the way when installing drywall.

Spray foam insulation are preferred by most because it offers a better seal attics and walls. Aside from its exemplary performance, it is also quite affordable. If you need help in installing spray foam insulation Indianapolis, seek the most reputable service provider in the area.

Tips About Home Interior Design

The country Denmark is known for its consistent top placement in World Happiness Ranking. A great deal of this achievement has got to be the cultural construct Hygge. Pronounced as “hoo-gah”, Hygge is an idea to take pleasure in the simple things and moreover, to be consciously cozy. The Danes highly bank on spaces for they contribute to balanced, harmonious, and safe experiences. This is largely evident in their humble abodes.

Thank the Danes for their high regard on simplicity and coziness, because you now have a new design route to subscribe. Though there are many Interior design Berkshire you can find out there. Consider hygge as your new home design idea should you want a warm, simple, and more importantly cozy, living space. Incorporate it through these key design elements: light candles; plush throw pillows and thick blankets; and neutral colors.

Light Candle

A candle is a staple fixture and a nice compliment when it comes to making your spaces cozy, be it for your own pleasure or with the company of great friends. The smell it releases is nice. The warm light it emits is relaxing. Light candles can definitely add that sense of hygge-ness in your interiors. The selections of nice-smelling candles are endless. But another factor you might want to consider is e that gives a sound. Wood wick candles can surely do this job for you.

Fire can be relaxing to look at but it can also be dangerous. We advise you to have a quick review on the basics of fire safety like a refrain from placing the candle near flammable objects in your spaces (e.g. books and drapes). Another safety measure would be blowing out candles if you’re about to leave.

Plush throw pillows and thick blankets

Relaxation in the comforts of your own home would be amiss if there are no plush pillows and luxurious blankets around. These two can heighten the ante in following the hygge design concept. To further provide relaxation, go for throw pillows and blankets that have neutral colors. For throw pillows, test them first if they’re comfy when you rest against. For blankets, go for the ones that are knitted. If you want to save some cash, you can have a DIY knitted blanket project. The whole point of these items is that they should make you feel comfortable.

Neutral Colors

If the throw pillows are suggested to be in neutral colors, why not make all of the items also be in neutral? In this manner, you’ll be consistent in your relaxation theme. Any color that screams for attention will make your pursuit futile. Take inspiration from the Danes when it comes to dealing with this color scheme. Continue to bring warmth and coziness by choosing minimal patterns.

Coming home from a tough day at work or at school is one of life’s rewarding moments. We all long for that. A simple and cozy home can help us regain the strength we’ve already consumed for the entire day. The Danish lifestyle concept of hygge can definitely help us achieve the above we all deserve.

How to Check For Water Damage

Whether you are selling a home or buying a home, it is essential to know some water damage signs. Water couldn’t only harm floors, walls, and cause growth of toxic molds, it could also cause structural damage to a house permanently. Water damage could be caused by leaky appliances, water accumulation in the basement, ice dams, overflowing sources of water, floods, and leaks. There are some significant areas with high risk to check first even though water damage could exist everywhere in your house.

Here are some steps to inspect a home for water damage in San Antonio:

• Check the Walls

The simplest water damage sign to spot is water stains on the ceilings and walls. Also, check around the door frames and window for stains. Any stains that are unusual must be seriously taken, as they can be a sign of a pipe that is leaking or leaking drain inside the wall. Look also for cracks in your dry wall. A wall area exposed to water could also have an appearance that is swollen and can be soft when you touch it.

• Check the Floors

Water damage could occur to any floor type and could also seep down to your sub floor. Watch out for any buckling or warping of the floors, especially in your basement. Water damage is might be the cause if the floor looks warped. Also, be aware of dark or white stains on wooden floors, damp carpets, or a general odor of mold and dampness.

• Check the Pipes

Inspect the piping in the basement, laundry room, bathrooms, and kitchen for pipe corrosion around the connections. Also, check for water stains and leaks. Inspect the sealing around the fixtures of the bathroom. Loose or missing sealing can be caused by water leakage. Watch out for mold signs or missing grout. Check the water heater for leakage and rust on its tank.

• Check the Basement

A common issue found in homes is basement leakage. Water in the basement sometimes cases damage to the furniture, walls, baseboards, and flooring. In addition to that, odors caused by mildew and mold could cause health problems and are unpleasant. Inspect for odors, mold, dampness, rust, stains, and cracks.

• Check the Attic

Check the attic for mold, stains, and other leak signs. Pay great attention to your valleys where two planes of roof come together, the flashing around roof chimneys and vents, and the flashing where the roof meets your walls. The insulation must be in good condition and must be dry. Homes placed in cold climates could develop ice dams on their roof. This could cause water to leak inside the attic from melting ice and snow on their roof.

• Check the Exterior

Make sure you inspect the house’s exterior too. Check the roof for curled, missing, or cracked shingles. The house must be located on the highest point of the land, with ground sloping away from the home. It could be a bad sign if you see standing water anywhere outside your home.