SEE-THRU HOUSE MEMBERS 

At first glance, the SEE-THRU HOUSE™ looks like someone’s construction loan ran out. Yet, a closer look makes it apparent it’s appearance is planned with careful attention to details from the intricacy of the build-out to the integration and placement of the products. The "reveal" of the SEE-THRU HOUSE™ is deliberate.

"When I started thinking about the SEE-THRU HOUSE™ a few years ago, I thought it was a great way for homeowners to get some answers by looking at a house from the inside out," recalls Stan A. Garnet, who masterminded the project through We Teach House™ Institute.

Efflorescence is a deposit of soluble salt. It can be present in mortar, brick, and concrete and possibly found in the material used for backfill. We often see this develop and build on interior and exterior surfaces where there is water penetration.

It usually is not a structural problem but rather an irritating cosmetic issue. It can also be a warning that your foundation walls are seeping water, holding water or just staying moist.

Typically efflorescence will develop when soluble salts are present in the wall, the concrete, the brick or the mortar. When you add water to these salts then the salts will be carried to the surface. As it begins to dry and evaporate the salts surface from the mixture and remain on the surface and these become the visible deposits.

Are you ready for winter?

It is 1 AM in the morning. The temperature is dropping quickly 32, 30, 29 degrees and going lower. Oops the water hose is still connected and the outdoor spigot is still in the on position. To make matters worse the exterior shut off valve is in the crawl space. Finally you reach the shut off valve and what do you find, the valve is seized and you can not shut it down.

How about the once a year snow storm and poor flashing on the roof valley. You knew about it but put it off. Now you run the risk of serious water penetration.

At the end of the winter last year you were having issues with your heating system. You decided to hold off until next winter to fix it. Did you?????

You can prevent most disastrous situations from happening with just a few hours of pre maintenance planning.

It is not too late to take action and prepare for the winter moths that are now upon us. All homeowner can perform a basic check of their home if you know what to look for. Typically you are aware of what is happening with your home when it becomes obvious. It is the other issues you are not aware of that are of concern. There are clues to forewarn you and to help you side step emergency repairs and frustrating incidents.

I suggest you make a check off list. Obviously all homes are not equal and some things may be more of an issue than others. You need to start with the issues you know about and then go from there.

What I am recommending is for you to do a visual inspection of your home from the roof to the basement and then handle the items you are able to and call a professional to take care of the rest of the concerns.

What I can safely state is if something is going to go wrong it usually will be at the wrong time.

As a home owner you can pre inspect for areas of failure.