 | Richard and Elaine McClanahan are the owners of Andy On Call. Richard was active in the Air Force for over 6 1/2 years during 1966-1972. His assignment was in communications, and he was honorably discharged in November of 1972. However his military career did not stop there as he joined the US Army Reserve program in 1974 and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer with over 20 years of service in 1989. He was awarded the Air Force and Army Commendation Medal for his actions while serving in the both branches of the Military. Elaine was a teacher by trade. After retiring from teaching she devoted her time to the home and raising their two adopted sons. During her college years she worked in a lumber yard that her father managed, where she picked up a great amount of experience in home remodel/repair. Richard or Elaine can be reached at 681-ANDY (2639). Or you may visit their web site @ www.andyoncall.com |
Home Improvement
2007-06-01 09:43:00
Are house fans a good investment?
: Why does some siding on houses buckle and bulge?
Whole house fans can be very effective if used at the same time the air conditioning system is working. If you have a 1 and ½ or a 2 story house or even bigger, attic fans can work quietly and efficiently in your home. Attic fans act as a pull through unit. They vent through the attic cornice or the roof vents and draw the air very gently from lower floors to the upper floors to make them more comfortable. With the cooler outside temperatures you can save on running air conditioners and turn up the speed of the attic fan to move air throughout the house.
If you have ceiling fans installed in your house they should be run gently to move the air within that room even while the air conditioning system is working. This will help circulate hot air off the ceiling and put in down at people level.
Question: Why does some siding on houses buckle and bulge?
Answer: This past year, the main culprit is moisture that gathers behind the siding and allows it to buckle and bulge when the summers get hot and steamy. Most of the sidings that have been replaced are made of a composition material that attracts and retains moisture for a long time. The siding usually goes bad on or near chimneys, lower section of house. The main reason is the chimney receives the most heat/cool exchange of air, and will cause the siding to contract and expand more than it should be able to tolerate. Lower house siding usually goes bad due to using water sprinklers or the splash effect from rain actually going behind the siding from the bottom and staying damp for year on end. Then at some time it will start trying to escape with the draw of heat from the sun.
A sure fire fix is to have the siding removed and put up a concrete type board material in its place. Siding treated with concrete coding or all the way through will stand a less chance of rotting from the inside out. There are lots of brands of siding materials available on the market. They are all good. It depends on personal feelings which brand and price range to select. If you are going to live in your dream home forever, then go with a higher priced material that is made up of solid material all the way through. It is pretty much your choice.
