Month: January 2019

A lot of people feel intimidated by the cost and commitment of using spray foam insulation in their houses. Without knowing the benefits that spray foam insulation can provide for their home and family, the option could be easily overlooked. Using a foam gun you can spray while adjusting the size of the pressure.

In actuality, spray foam insulation outperforms all other types of insulation by incredible margins. Here are 7 ways that spray foam insulation can benefit your home and save you money.

What is Spray Foam Insulation?

Spray foam insulation is developed from two types of composite materials, polyurethane and isocyanate. When combined, these two materials chemically react to each other and cause their combined substance to expand and harden. During the installation process, both materials are simultaneously sprayed from the tip of a spray foam gun, allowing them to expand and form a protective layer of spray foam insulation over the desired area. To learn more about spray foam insulation, download our spray foam insulation eBook.

There are two types of spray foam insulation – open-cell and closed-cell. Open-cell spray foam is more dense than closed-cell spray foam insulation, and is spongy to touch. This gives it an effective sound dampening effect. It is less expensive than closed-cell spray foam insulation.

Closed-cell insulation, while more expensive than open-cell, has its own list of amazing benefits.

Benefits of Closed-Cell Spray Foam Insulation

1. Powerful Insulator

Spray foam insulation works far better than other popular types of insulation. Because of its expansive nature, spray foam tightly seals all nooks and crannies that otherwise would have been left exposed. Spray foam’s resistance value, or its ability to provide an air-tight seal, ranked at R-6, the highest rank on the market today.

2. Incredible Energy Savings

Because spray foam in such a powerful insulator, families and businesses have actually been able to save a significant amount on their energy expenses. Spray foam insulation has shown to provide energy savings at an average of 50% or more, unlike other types of insulation that average a savings rate of about 30%.

3. Air-tight Seal

Spray foam insulation is uniquely capable of thoroughly sealing holes and cracks in your attic or crawl space. Air leaks are often one of the biggest reasons for high energy bills. Spray foam insulation creates a powerful airtight seal that has shown to be 24 times less permeable to air infiltration than other types of insulation.

4. Moisture Barrier

Holes and cracks in your walls and crawl space can allow entrance to more than just air. Water and moisture can gain access to these areas through exposed cracks and holes if not sealed.

Spray foam insulation is impermeable to water. This means that not only will spray foam thoroughly seal and protect your attic and crawl space from airborne moisture and leaks, but if  flooding should occur in the area, spray foam insulation will not absorb the water like other materials will.

5. Deters Mold

Spray foam is not only water resistant, but it is composed of an inert polymer that provides no source of food for mold or bacteria. Homes that are insulated using closed-cell insulation are better protected against mold and mildew.

6. Long Life-Span

The inert polymer that spray foam insulation is comprised of allows it to have an indefinite lifespan. This allows homes and businesses to enjoy the benefits of spray foam insulation for years on end before needing to re-insulate. Businesses and families that invest in spray foam insulation can actually save money over the course of 20 years or more because of spray foam’s unique ability to perform at optimal levels for extended periods of time.

7. Eco-Friendly

One of the most common inquiries made about spray foam insulation is if it is eco-friendly. Our answer is yes! There are several reasons for this.

• Spray foam helps reduce energy consumption and create a ‘green’ household.
• Protects against moisture and mold growth
• Designed to last indefinitely, producing fewer consumed materials

Knob and tube wiring was a system of open electrical conductors supported on ceramic knobs. It also used ceramic knobs where wires cross each other or pass through framing. This type of wiring was in common use from the 1880’s to 1930’s, in North America. When working with wiring, electrician Brisbane 24 hours always cut the power supply at the breaker box first before beginning any actual work.

During the era when knob and tube was in common use, a typical home would have 30 or 60 amp electrical service, sufficient for general lighting and maybe a radio. These were the days of “iceboxes”, wood or gas stoves, coal heat, and no air conditioning. Wiring homes was a new trade, with very few rules.

The first home wiring rules appeared around the turn of the century, when Terrell Croft wrote the American Electricians Handbook. Crofts books defined early wiring practices. One of Croft’s rules was that knob and tube wiring should always be run through, never over the house framing. The problem with running wiring over framing is that it can get bumped, snagged, and damaged. Most electrical experts would agree that wiring run over the framing is a sign of amateur, cobbled-together work, and it never conformed to any electrical code.

Good Points

The theoretical advantage of knob and tube wiring is that it dissipates heat into free air, and therefore has a higher ampacity than cable systems with equivalent wire size. When originally installed in the 1900’s knob and tube wiring was less expensive than other wiring methods. Due to the installation cost, owners and electricians would opt for knob and tube versus conduit wiring and metal junction boxes. The conduit methods were known to be of better quality, but their cost was significantly higher than knob and tube wiring.

Modern wiring methods assume two or more load carrying conductors will lie against each other, for instance the standard non-metallic – 2 cable. Since the load carrying wires are in close proximity, when they heat up, the heating is shared across the wires, limiting the overall current load they can support. Since the load carrying wires in knob and tube wiring are widely spaced, the wires are capable of carrying higher loads without risk of fire.

Bad Points

Knob and tube wiring was commonly insulated with cotton cloth and soft rubber, in addition to the porcelain insulators. Although the actual wire covering may have degraded over the decades, the porcelain insulators have a very long lifespan and will keep any bare wires safely insulated. These same porcelain insulators are commonly used with bare wire electric fencing for livestock. These insulators can carry very high voltage surges without the risk of shorting to ground. Many electricians understand that by running the hot and neutral conductors farther apart from each other than today’s electrical cabling does make shorts between those conductors less likely, at the same time realizing there is not a grounding conductor.

Wiring installation standards and methods were less stringent in the era of knob and tube versus modern day electrical codes and standards. The main shortcomings of knob and tube include the following: lack of a safety grounding conductor, inability to confine switching to the hot conductor, the permitted use of in-line splices in walls without a junction box. Compared to modern thermoplastic wiring insulation, typically known as “romex”, the knob and tube wiring is less resistant to damage.

Knob and tube wiring is very vulnerable to mechanical damage, such as from stored materials in the attic or basement. Bending the wire can cause older insulation to crumble and fall off the wires.

Knob and tube is insufficient for current usage patterns. Contemporary households use a wide range and intensity of electrical equipment that was unforeseen at the time of knob and tube inception. Household power use increased following World War II, first generation wiring systems became susceptible to abuse by homeowners, who would avoid repeated blown fuses by overfusing the circuits, thus subjecting the wiring to heat damage due to higher levels of current.

In many instances deterioration and abuse have rendered the wiring unsafe. During building renovations and remodeling wiring can become damaged. The rubber insulation will become dried out, brittle when handled, damage by rodent, or simple carelessness – for example hanging objects off wiring in accessible places like attics and basements.

Covering knob and tube wiring with thermal insulation is unsafe and prohibited. This is a known fire hazard and it is specifically condemned in the National Electrical Code, Section 324-4. No form of insulation – loose, blown-in, or expanding foam insulation can be placed over the wiring. Knob and tube wiring was designed to let heat dissipate to the surrounding air. As a result, energy efficiency upgrades that involve insulating previously uninsulated walls usually also require replacement of the wiring in affected homes.

Homeowners insurance underwriters may refuse and deny coverage for homes and buildings that have this type of wiring installed.

Alan Trauger is a Building Consultant that performs property condition assessments for residential and commercial properties. An experienced and knowledgeable problem solver, understanding processes and issues related to building structures and their systems. An expert witness, trainer, and educator. To view past newsletters on construction and buildings [http://newsletters.alantrauger.com/]

To review authors bio, qualifications, and interest in receiving future email newsletters http://www.alantrauger.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Alan_Trauger/500597

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Most people happily look forward to getting away from home for a relaxing vacation. There are many things that can possibly go wrong with all the planning out your trip. Here are some tips that will remove the stress from the planning stages and help you to relax on your trip. Grab the Canada ski packages to Ski and slide, or ride and hike during an active mountain stay in one of the most popular ski resorts in Canada.

Don’t use the computers in your hotel or any other placing offering internet service for looking at sensitive information. There is something called a keylogger that is tracking your bank information as you type the keys on the computer.

Leave any valuable items of value at home when traveling.

The less stuff you have, the lower the chances of you having your valuables lost or stolen.

If you come through a little airport when you travel, look online ahead of time to find out what services are offered there.

A luggage tag hanging from the outside of luggage can easily be ripped off in transit.

You could be covered if a cancelled flight that was charged on your credit card. You should do your research a bit before leaving.

Melt a bucket of ice to have fresh water in your morning coffee. Rather than drinking tap water, let the ice melt in the ice bucket. You can brew tasty coffee in the morning.

Jet lag is an all too common problem when traveling across time zones. You can’t avoid it, but you can try sleeping more in the days prior to your flight to help lessen any of the expected effects. You should also make an effort to sleep during the flight if possible.

Booking travel online is virtually a one stop shop for your vacation planning. Travel sites aid in planning out your travel itinerary with little effort. You are able to reserve hotels, rental cars, and flights using your computer! You can easily access reviews and photos of hotels without having to go anywhere.

Weather can be a huge factor in the amount of enjoyment you get out of traveling. Check the local weather will be during your stay.

Airports are normally extremely busy, so one plane delay creates a chain reaction throughout the day. The first flight during the morning should have very limited with delays.

Don’t put your child in the aisle on a plane. Make sure there is an adult between the way of the aisle. Children are fidgety and could harm themselves if they reach out while a cart is coming through. They won’t run off as easily if you are near the way of the aisle.

Pack extra snacks if you will be traveling by car. You might want to pack more that you thought you would. This will maintain them happy and busy so that they don’t cause a ton of issues when traveling. Even a little junk food wouldn’t hurt just this once.

Contact lenses should be in a useful container for traveling. These items are great for carrying gels and lotions if you only need a small amounts of the product.

Before traveling, research nearby banks for currency exchanges, since they will typically offer better rates.

A wonderful travel tip is have luggage that stands out from other luggage. You can decorate it with stickers on your luggage or even color it. This will help you spot your luggage and keep others from accidentally walking off with it.

Be careful when receiving any emails you receive for travel deals.

Make sure that you are aware of what the carry-on policy.Most airlines let you bring a small suitcase and a laptop bag or purse. Make sure you take advantage of this to ensure all your important items remain with you!

You can frequently save cash when you book flights with one or more stop on the way. Too little time and you may miss your flight.You could be in the airport if there is a long flight delay.

Keep in mind that you are not the only person staying in hotels. Be courteous to others; keep your noise level down so you do not disturb your neighbors. Even if it is mid afternoon, overcoming jet lag or feeling unwell. You don’t have to whisper and tiptoe, just be as respectful as you can be.

If you do not have a mandatory travel date, adjust your time frame by a day or two when searching for deals. You could save money by this way.

Check in the day to verify your flight. When checking in, jot down relevant flight numbers, and several hours prior to the flight, delayed or canceled so you can plan accordingly.

Do not panic if your bags have not there when you get to your destination.Find out from airport staff where to report your lost luggage, present the officials there with your baggage claim tickets and complete any necessary paperwork. Most of the time, your luggage will be found and reunited with you as quickly as possible.

Research your destination online to find reviews of hotels, resorts and attractions before deciding on your travel plans.

A recreation area can give your kids something to do during any long waits.This will help your delay fly by and your entire traveling bunch a happier in the process.

Now you know that traveling can be enjoyable. The next time you’re planning a vacation, try out these tips. This will allow you to have a great vacation.