Water damage in Marietta, Georgia can have an adverse impact to the indoor quality of air at home. Water damage in Marietta, Georgia can cause insect infestation, mold, and wood rot. The apparent cause of water damage are leaking windows, roofs, doors, cracks, as well as visible plumbing leaks. These causes are easy to recognize, thereby allowing quick repair before worse damage happens. Other unrecognized culprits are moisture behind basement walls that are often insulated using fiberglass poor grading surround the foundation walls and air leaks that happen between the attic and the living space.
Insulating basement walls using fiberglass is never a good idea. This is mainly because fiberglass will absorb water and not permit it to pass through the wall, averting a drying impact. Some individuals believe that putting up a plastic barrier in the wall is the ultimate solution but this strategy simply traps moisture. A better approach is to offer rigid insulation, a semi-permeable insulating device which allows moisture to traverse through the wall, permitting it to dry.
Water can likewise get into the basement if the land grade is directed toward the house. Land grade directed away from the house and putting up rain gutters will direct rainwater away from the location. Entrance from the house on the way going to the attic and inadequate ceiling insulation in houses situated in colder climates can result to ice dams that bring water to get into the house. Air leakage will bring moisture in the form of humidity that can, in turn, form water on the underside of the roof causing rotting and mold.
Typical leakage points between the house and attic are:
- Leaky attic hatches
- Holes drilled for plumbing pipes and electrical wires that penetrate the attic and are usually not sealed
- Recessed light fixtures that are not the airtight type
- Exhaust fans that vent directly into the attic
For those who live in warmer climates, water damage can occur within your walls because of poorly designed air conditioning systems.
Systems that are oversized (a larger capacity than necessary) will not remove enough humidity which leads to high moisture levels that condense on cooler surfaces.
Duct systems that are imbalanced can draw outside humidity through walls that can produce water in the walls. Mitigating these problems requires a professional.
Repairing the attic problems listed above may seem simple enough, but trying to do it yourself doesn’t guarantee you really fixed the problem and can sometimes lead to other problems.
Hiring an insulation expert who specializes in building science (also known as a building performance specialist) will ensure the job is done properly and safely. These specialists come equipped with tools such as blower doors, pressure gauges, etc. to quantify the measures taken for the repairs.
The same goes for the air conditioning specialist, he should have duct diagnostic tools to test your duct work to be sure it is properly designed and performing efficiently.
Once repairs are made, it is important to have an air sanitizer or air sanitizers running throughout your house in order to eliminate any mold or debris not visible to the naked eye that have been left behind.
In addition to taking care of the water damage, your home will be more comfortable, you’ll save money on your energy bills and improve your indoor air quality.
