Crawl spaces are often overlooked when cleaning and maintaining our homes. We focus on keeping the visible areas of our homes clean, but the crawl space is just as important. Failing to keep the crawl space clean can lead to serious problems, such as mold and water damage. Taking care of your crawl space will Read more
water damage
Crawl spaces are often overlooked when cleaning and maintaining our homes. We focus on keeping the visible areas of our homes clean, but the crawl space is just as important. Failing to keep the crawl space clean can lead to serious problems, such as mold and water damage. Taking care of your crawl space will not only protect your belongings and home, but it can also save you money in the long run.
Preventing Crawl Space Damage
Crawl spaces are often ignored when it comes to home maintenance, but keeping this area of your home in good condition is important for preventing damage from pests. Termites and other pests can enter your home through the crawl space, and they can do a lot of damage once they’re in. Insulating your crawl space is one way to help prevent these pests from getting in and causing damage.
So make sure you have a crawl space dehumidifier installed in yours. They will keep your home smelling fresh by removing moisture and other odors, and they’ll help to prevent mold and mildew. If you see any signs of mold or water damage, don’t wait to fix them. Just call the crawl space insulation company, and they will get that out to your home quickly.
Crawl Space Insulation Types: How To Choose?
There are a variety of different crawl space insulation types available. Understanding the different types available and how they work will help you to make an informed decision when it comes time to purchase. There are three main crawl space insulation types:
Open-cell insulation is often used in the walls, floors, and ceilings of homes. This type of insulation is typically less expensive than other types of insulation. Open-cell crawl space insulation works by trapping air within tiny pockets between its fibers. The air trapped in these pockets acts as a buffer, slowing the transfer of heat from the warm side to the cool side. The insulation’s open-cell design is ideal for use in crawl spaces because it allows the moisture that collects on the cool side of the insulation to evaporate into the atmosphere.
Closed-cell insulation is often placed under the subfloor of a home. This type of insulation is typically more expensive than other types because it is made from more material. Closed-cell crawl space insulation works by trapping air within tiny pockets between two pieces of plastic. The type of insulation used in a crawl space depends on the climate.
In warmer climates, fiberglass insulation is typically used because it is inexpensive and easy to install. In colder climates, closed-cell insulation is often preferred because it does not trap moisture as readily as open-cell insulation.
Reflective insulation is an effective way to prevent crawl space damage from termites and other pests. It is a material that reflects heat back into the crawl space, keeping the area cooler and preventing damage to the structure. Reflective insulation is available in a variety of sizes and thicknesses and can be installed by a professional or do-it-yourselfer.
Conclusion
Preventing crawl space damage is essential to protecting your home from these costly repairs. Some simple steps you can take to prevent damage include: sealing any cracks or openings in your foundation, keeping the area well-ventilated, and using termite-resistant materials when building or repairing your home.
By taking these preventive measures, you can keep your crawl space free of damage and help ensure your home’s long-term stability.
There are some jobs that people may not immediately think that they need to hire a plumber for but it is often necessary to do so to get the job done correctly. It may surprise many that when they are installing a roof or a gas line the plumber is someone they should definitely call Read more
There are some jobs that people may not immediately think that they need to hire a plumber for but it is often necessary to do so to get the job done correctly.
It may surprise many that when they are installing a roof or a gas line the plumber is someone they should definitely call to help them get the job done correctly. Here is a look at what a plumber can do for your roof installation and gas line installation project.
Problems With Your Drainage System
A roof plumber can come in and take a look at the drainage system in a roof. Roof plumbers are experts at helping to protect roofs from water damage.
When a roof plumber is needed a homeowner will notice that their gutters and spouts are in need of removal and reinstallation.
A roof plumbing problem can cause water to start seeping into the ceiling of a home. Homeowners will often begin to experience structural damage to their property when roof plumbing repair is needed.
Given the issues with mold that water damage can have on health, it is best to get these problems dealt with by a roof plumber quickly. Roof plumbers often specialize in specific types of roofs, so you may see one that specializes in slate roofs while another specializes in custom steel roofing.
Gas Line Repairs
Another job that is not often associated with plumbing, is gas line repair. However, if a homeowner notices cracks in their gas line then they need to take a closer look and seek the help of a plumber.
Bear in mind too that a gas line that needs repair will not be very quiet, and the homeowner is likely to hear a lot of hissing sounds as the gas starts escaping through the cracks or holes in the line.
Once they hear a hissing sound it’s time to shut off the gas line in the home and call a plumber before things get dangerous.
If there are a lot of plants around the home or inside it, they can be adversely affected by the escaping gas. An observant plumber will often check the condition of the plants to see how they look, gas line repair is usually needed if plants are withering or dying without just cause.
Get Help
Whether there is a plumbing problem with the roof or gas line hiring a plumber is often the best course of action a homeowner can take to get this problem remedied immediately.
Waiting to get problems with a roof fixed by a plumber can cause severe water damage in various parts of a home. When it comes to gas lines things can get dangerous, so it is often best to call in a plumber quickly.
While the thought of hiring a plumber often brings images of pipes to mind and rightly so, it is important to remember that plumbers do carry out roof plumbing and gas line repairs as well, since people often forget it is best for plumbers to advertise these services as well.
As a homeowner, I know firsthand the fear of experiencing water damage in the place I find the most comfort. But as someone who works in the plumbing technology industry, I know there is a way to receive alerts the moment a pipe bursts or an appliance fails so I can call my plumber before Read more
As a homeowner, I know firsthand the fear of experiencing water damage in the place I find the most comfort. But as someone who works in the plumbing technology industry, I know there is a way to receive alerts the moment a pipe bursts or an appliance fails so I can call my plumber before irreversible damage occurs.
Certainly, you’ve done your fair share of leak repairs as a contractor. They’re so common that Chubb reported 45% of homeowners have experienced a water leak or know someone who has, and, according to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage insurance claims are 3 times more likely than theft and fire claims combined. And with nearly every burst pipe or fixture leak, there’s a frantic call to a local plumber for an emergency repair.
Fortunately, Chubb also found that 93% of all water damage can be prevented, and there’s technology that helps protect your customers against these costly and devastating leaks. Recommending and installing this technology for your customers can help position you as a hero.
Smart Leak Detection Devices: What Are They?
Most leak detectors today are Wi-Fi connected smart home units that track water activity in the home and alert users to potential leaks.
Some devices take leak detection a step further to offer complete protection by:
- Tracking water throughout the home through the main water line.
- Monitoring conditions that lead to plumbing system issues such as freezing temperatures, high and low pressure, and excessive humidity.
- Offering a mode that automatically shuts the water off if a leak is detected while the homeowner is away.
- Alerting users of abnormal water usage while they’re at home.
- Detecting slow drips behind the wall, via a pressure decay test, which can cause mold and property damage if left untreated.
- Integrating with smart home technology such as Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to make leak detection more convenient.
- Providing the ability to control multiple devices across multiple properties, such as a second home or vacation property, in one app.
Smart home leak detection devices are a must-have for homeowners who want to protect their investment and avoid high water remediation and property replacement costs. And you can be the one to present the solution to them.
Offering Leak Detection Installation Services
Why offer leak detection installation services to your customers? You will add value to your customer and your business with a product every home should have — just like smoke and security alarms. This gives your customers peace of mind, as they know you’re using advanced solutions to keep them protected. You will also build a trusting relationship for callbacks if the device does detect a leak or pressure issue that requires a professional.
Additionally, if customers with installed leak detectors do experience a leak, they can turn off their water before you arrive so you don’t have to find the main water line, turn the water off and trudge through water to get to the leaking pipe. The result is quicker repairs for you and less frustration for them.
Plus, you will save your customers money on water remediation and property restoration services by installing a device that helps protect them against catastrophic leaks and costly water bills.
Building Awareness About Your New Services
Once you decide to offer leak detection device installation as a service, you’ll want to tell your existing and potential customers. Consider these tactics for letting customers know about your new services:
- Promote it online and in-person. Share more about your new offerings through social media, email and in-home sales pitches. Around the holidays, you may even consider promoting a customer referral program where people can get and give a discount on their leak detection device installation.
- Educate customers on leak detection. In your communications about the new leak detection service, include the frequency and cost of leaks and appliance failures. You may also mention the likelihood of another leak happening after the first one, which is 2 to 3.5 times more likely, according to data from American International Group. If the customer’s home contains an older plumbing system or they’re in a part of the country that’s susceptible to freezing temperatures, you may use this to give them a sense of urgency about installing a leak detection system.
- Show, don’t just tell. While most homeowners are aware that leaks can happen any time, they may not realize they can do something to help prevent them. Show videos of how leak detection devices work, and keep a device in your truck in case they want to see what the device looks like in person.
- Emphasize the peace of mind. Unfortunately, homeowners can’t always see the effects of a leak until it has caused permanent damage. Explain that a leak detection device can calm their fears about water damage while they’re home or away at work or on vacation.
- Don’t forget multiple property owners. Have clients that own or manage multiple properties? Emphasize the importance of protecting second homes, vacation rentals, investment properties and aging parents’ homes with smart leak detectors that they can control from one app.
Finding the Right Leak Detection Solution
Your customers need protection against water leaks, and you can be the one to educate them and provide the solution. Learn more about the benefits of offering leak detection services by exploring an installer program, such as StreamLabs, today.
Cindy Welsh is a sales director at RWC – a market leader and manufacturer of water control systems and plumbing solutions for residential and commercial applications.