Biowall, this might not be a term you are very familiar with. There are other names for this type of wall, such as green walls or living walls. What is a Biowall? Basically they are a wall that is covered with living plants. They can be used both inside as well as outside of a building. They are often used inside in homes and are also good for offices. Their ability to purify the air makes them a good choice for indoor use. Of course they do not replace a traditional HVAC system, but instead are used to work alongside one. They are good for outdoor use, especially in more urban areas. Because concrete walls and surfaces reflect heat, this can make urban areas a lot hotter than they should be. In the summer time, this can lead not only to excessive heat, but also to bad air quality. It is referred to as the Urban Heat Island (UHI). A biowall in areas like these serve to reduce the effects of UHI. There are 2 different types of biowall. A panel system, which uses soil that is packed into plastic bags and then the plants are placed into compartments. They are fed by an irrigation system which is connected. The other type of biowall is a felt system. Plants fit into felt that is backed by a waterproof layer, which is used as the means of growing the plants. As the plants grow, their roots grow downwards which helps to support them. What are the advantages to biowalls? And are there any disadvantages? This will be discussed in future articles. Lightning poses a threat to all of us, not matter where we live. While the obvious and biggest danger exists for someone outside in a lightning storm, dangers also exist when we are inside our homes. There are numerous dangers associated with a lightning strike at home. One of the most evident is that the house could set on fire. The risk of electrocution is also an important factor to consider. Obviously, a fire in a home caused by a lightning strike could significantly damage it, but a lot of damage could also be caused from the water used to put the fire out. This in turn, if not treated properly could create a mold issue later on. Your homes appliances could be damaged due to power surges. How can we be safe at home during a lightning storm? Keep out of the way of windows. It is best to not do anything that involves using running water such as washing dishes and bathing etc. Although a surge protector can help protect electronic equipment, don't think that is all you need. Be on the safe side and unplug or turn off any electrical appliances that could be damaged if lightning strikes, things like computers and phones. Also don't use these appliances while there is lightning in your area. There are other measures you can take to protect your home from a lightning strike, such as a lightning rod or a lightning protection system. It is best to research which option is best for you and your area. These are just a few things to think about and stay safe during a lightning storm. While Aluminum siding is not too popular these days in the construction of homes, it can still be found on many older homes. Here are a few helpful things to know about Aluminum siding. Is Aluminum siding durable? Yes, it can actually last up to the life of the building, but only if it is maintained well. It doent rust, and it wont be affected by termites. How safe is it? If installed properly, it gives great waterproof protection. In case of a fire, it will not melt or burn. Is it aesthetically pleasing? It can be, as it can be easily painted, however this does tend to need to be redone every few years. It should also be noted that Aluminum siding is prone to scratches and dents which can look rather unattractive and is not too easy to fix. Some home owners may also have a problem with the noise it can make when rain falls on it. This is just a very simple look at what to consider with Aluminum siding , however for a more thorough inspection, please contact us and we will be happy to advise you or schedule an appointment. Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer as it has no odor and cannot be seen, and so attacks without warning. Many instances of Carbon Monoxide poisoning occur in the home, this is largely due to faulty, fuel burning appliances found in the home. What are some ways that CO Poisoning can be prevented?
As you can see, it is so important to regularly check your home for CO dangers. Please call us to schedule an inspection or if you need help with any questions. Backflow in a water system can happen very easily and ensuring that it won't happen to you, in your water lines is an important step to having safe water to drink and to use in your home. Backflow is a term referring to the backtracking of normal water, causing waste water to enter the lines meant for clean water. Backflow will occur in an improperly installed connection of pipes between a public source of potable water and a pipe with polluted or contaminated water. Backflow can occur in pipes in different ways, such as when the use of water exceeds the amount of water that is supplied, or when something causes the water flow to reverse due to the creation of a vacuum for one reason or another. There be various causes, such as when there is a break in a water main, when firefighters are using a water source, or maybe some pipes are being repaired or flushed. Obviously, the causes of backflow are unavoidable and can't be controlled, but can easily be prevented, and that’s why it's so important to have a backflow preventer installed when necessary. For tips to find out if one needs to be installed or inspected, and that it's the right type, don't hesitate to contact us. So many things in our home nowadays are electric, from kitchen appliances to iPads and phones, everything requires an electrical outlet. In many older homes, there are simply not enough outlets, so a power strip seems the obvious choice to keep up with the demand, but how can we make sure that we are using them safely? Consider the following:
As you can see, power strips can be very useful, but only if used correctly. Please give us a call with any questions you may have about electrical outlet safety in your home In recent years Bed Bugs, have become an epidemic, and here in New York we've had our fair share of cases. Their hard to see, love to travel and not so easy to eliminate, so what do we know about these pesky invaders, and what can we do about them? Although bed bugs are found in mattresses, they are by no means limited to beds, in fact they can hide in an alarming number of places. Anywhere from furniture, curtains and clothing to picture frames and books What do they look like? Bed bugs are rather small, especially when first hatched. An adult bed bug is flat, oval and has a orangey, rust colored body. See the signs Bed bugs are rather shy in nature, so it is usually easier to look out for the signs of their presence. These include blood spots, and stains from fecal matter, also some crushed bug remnants, they are also known to emit a musty smell (it should be noted though that this is not always present) These little parasites enjoy biting us as well which can leave itchy bumps on our skin. How to treat the problem It is not advised for homeowners to try to treat the problem themselves, as if not careful they can make the problem worse. PMPs or Pest Management Professionals are best for treating the problem as they can look for the bugs at the beginning stages of their development. Trained dogs are also successfully being used in the detection of bed bugs as they can detect an odor that is emitted by the bugs. Please contact us for more information on how to detect the presence of bed bugs in your home If you are thinking of buying an older home, you might want to consider that it could possibly be wired with aluminum wiring. Is this something you should be concerned about? Here are a few factors to consider;
As you can see from this very brief overview, aluminum wiring can be quite dangerous especially as it poses a much greater fire risk than copper wiring Please contact us for more information and also advice on what to do if you have aluminum wiring is in your home. Chimneys in a house can be very common and actually can add much to the aesthetics of a house. However, a chimney may be a very sturdy structure, but it also may be in danger of collapsing if not properly constructed or maintained. This is actually a real possibility in any area you may live. A collapse could be caused by the deterioration from wind and weather over time. This is proved true by one man who was crushed by a chimney that was blown off by the wind from the roof of the building that he was living in. Obviously, this is a tragedy anyone would want to avoid, so what are some things to watch out for to ensure your chimney is structurally sound? Some places to start to look to see if your chimney is in good condition is the most visible parts of the chimney. Firstly the mortar, try sticking a screwdriver through the mortar does it crumble? Is the chimney leaning or listing? Is there any external damage due to something falling on it, like a tree or scaffolding? Something else to inspect on the chimney is the internal support that is used to tie the stones or brick to the structure. Another thing to check is the footings and their condition. Contact us for any more tips or questions, to avoid this potential hazard. In North America where basements are common, an inspector may come across what is known as an adjustable steel column, also known as screw jacks, or beam jacks. These are used to support a structure and mostly found in a basement, although not always. The purpose of these types of columns is to be able to adjust the height using threads to move the post and make it longer or shorter.
If you have these types of columns in your basement, you most likely haven't given them a second look. How can you tell if the adjustable columns in your basement are in good condition and pass all of the necessary specifications? Here are some things to keep in mind; - First, they should be at least 3 inches in diameter. - Make sure there are no signs of rust, and it has the proper anti-rust coating. - The posts should be straight. - The bottom of the post should be connected mechanically to the floor, as well as the beam. - Cracks in the upstairs walls could result from not enough posts or from them not giving the proper support. Yes, an adjustable steel column maybe something you haven't heard of before, but if they are found somewhere in your home, they are definitely worth a second look. please don't hesitate to contact us Parker and West Engineering PLLC , and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have |
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February 2021
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