Drying Books and Documents
The Northeast Document Conservation Center publishes a protocol for drying wet books and documents. The recommended recovery is applicable to damp items as well as wet ones. There is hope for salvaging records and documents stored in wet basements and water damaged attics. Freezing may...
Keeping Crawl Spaces Dry
Building Science Corporation published an article on crawl space insulation in June 2015. The practice of keeping crawl spaces dry with a continuous sealed vapor barrier and to avoid venting to the building exterior is supported by the author. Waterproofing and sealing crawl spaces will...
Houzz Winter Checklist
Houzz contains a lot of information for practically any residential project. Their winter checklist is comprehensive....
Frozen Burst Pipes
There has been a lot of water damage resulting from broken pipes attributed to drastically cold temperatures. Pipe insulation is an effective measure against frozen pipes; it is an inexpensive, simple, alternative to the discomfort and expense of repairing a water damaged building. Be certain...
Invasive Destructive Fungus
Meruliporia, a fungus that can devastate structure, is becoming more commonplace in the northeast. Once thought to survive exclusively in southern climates it has been found in colder climates, including in Maine. We have one or two projects, annually, that require meruliporia eradication. "Poria" can infiltrate...
Water Damage and Mold Growth
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has released an informative guide for small scale mold removal and treatment of water damaged homes. It can be viewed here. Water damage that is not immediately abated can provide hospitable conditions for rapid mold growth. Understanding the...