We welcome you to view our photo gallery as well as our current homes available. We take pride in the homes we build and are always amenable to work with our buyers. We offer a comprehensive one year warranty with all our homes to ensure client satisfaction.
A Special Checklist For Condensation, Mold & Mildew
Homes Projects
Mold and mildew in residential homes is not new and most probably the very first new home had it’s share of such problems. Some new homes, based on climactic conditions and living conditions, have had similar problems ever since.
Mold grows on damp or wet surfaces. Left untreated, mold spores can become airborn. Spores are like seed when they settle on vulnerable surfaces and they can consume organic material since they are a part of our ecological system that helps to recycle organic material. Based on the foregoing, moisture is the problem. So, the new home buyer needs to aware that early detection of moisture is essential to the resolution of the problem. Musty air in the home is a warning sign. In this age of mechanical wonders, most new homes provide some form of air conditioning. Home owners need to be aware that, under the right conditions, some condensing water could appear on walls, windows or the air conditioning vents. In such cases, one must clean and dry these areas and increase the ventilation in the home. Obtain a dehumidifier for any area with continual dampness such as an un-air-conditioned basement.
Mold can be prevented in areas where water has been spilled or if a leak occurs . In such cases, water could get behind the wall and mold growth could occur. Look for discolored areas (usually black) or mold on surfaces. Such areas can also be caused by problems such as leaky pipes under sinks, windows left open for rain to come in, water leakage through uncaulked windows, leaky roofs, etc.
Uncontrolled mold can even be a health hazard. Consult your personal physician or a local government health authority for guidance if there is any concern for health. Proper maintenance of your home will go a long way toward eliminating or keeping moisture and humidity to a minimum. Use of some or all of the items below will help to eliminate major problems with mold.
- Have your air conditioning system serviced by a recognized professional company at least annually. Ask for advice from an air conditioning specialist if you are unsure about proper usage of your air conditioner.
- When outside whether is warm with low humidity, open windows to allow air circulation through the house.
- Increase circulation of heated air.
- Run the air conditioner during humid months of the year.
- Obtain a dehumidifier for any damp areas of the home. Some examples are steamy bathrooms, basement, indoor pool area, or attached greenhouse.
- Repair any water leaks quickly.
Take measures to keep water away from the foundation. There are many other ways to care for particular situations but the best of all is to use common sense. The objective is to keep your home dry and free from leaks or water intrusion and excessive condensation.
The HOME House Project
The Future of Affordable Housing
Edited by David J. Brown
With contributions by Steve Badanes, David J. Brown, Ben Nicholson and Michael Sorkin.
Imagine affordable homes that are both well-designed and environmentally friendly, better for the families who live in them and for the planet. The HOME House Project brings such imagining closer to reality. This book chronicles a multi-year national design initiative aimed at addressing issues of design, affordability, and sustainability in housing. Launched by the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this project challenged designers and architects to imagine a world in which sustainable and environmentally friendly materials, technologies, and techniques were considered important elements of housing for low- and moderate-income families.
A SECCA-sponsored open competition in 2003 drew 440 entries from the United States and six other countries, all using Habitat for Humanity's three- and four-bedroom house plans as a point of departure for the design of affordable and environmentally friendly housing. This book, published in conjunction with a traveling exhibition, documents the 25 prize-winning designs as well as fifty other selected submissions with 396 color illustrations. The accompanying text includes Michael Sorkin's essay connecting democratic values to quality of housing, Ben Nicholson's satiric critique of American excess, Steve Badanes's insights on the social responsibilities of architects, and HOME House Project Director David Brown's overview of the project and its continuing evolution.