|
Back to Articles
We're all familiar with what happens if you forget that block of cheese that was pushed to the back of the refrigerator, or the fresh peach that was not eaten soon enough. That fuzzy growth that forms on moist organic matter results from fungi that are able to produce spores and release them into the air.
When is Moisture a Problem?
Mold on food is bad enough, but mold that grows on wood, carpet and other materials used to build your home may pose another type of threat. Some molds produce chemicals called mycotoxins that can damage your health. Recent studies show that mold has caused a rapid increase in the asthma rate over the past 20 years, and a Mayo Clinic study implicates fungus as the cause of almost all chronic sinusitis. Toxic molds can also weaken your immune system, increasing your susceptibility to disease. All it takes for mold to form is to combine air and water over a period of time, whether it be on a piece of cheese or somewhere in the walls of your new home.
Moisture-Proof Construction Materials
Pringle Development has addressed this concern by using many construction materials to help reduce the formation of mold and mildew.
For example, the ridge vents used in a Pringle home have a round flange that prevents water seepage during directional rains, keeping rainwater out of the attic. Sixteen-inch soffits allow proper airflow in the attic, so that rising warm air produces a current and avoids stagnation.
To prevent mold in the walls of the home, a double vapor barrier called R-Max is applied to the block wall. The air space between the R-Max and the interior drywall greatly decreases the chance of mold growing when moisture passes through the block walls. A triple caulking system on and around the windows makes it easier to maintain exterior perimeter caulking.
The masonry of the home is treated with Sherwin Williams Loxon acrylic sealant and other paints which allow airflow while preventing moisture intrusion. In fact, every Pringle Development home is inspected by Sherwin Williams prior to closing to insure conformance. In all exterior doors, jamb savers are used, and the last 18" is fiberglass to insure that organic materials do not come in contact with the ground.
To prevent moisture intrusion beneath the home, a 6-mil vapor barrier is applied beneath the slab, and every plumbing intrusion through the slab is protected.
Shower and tub areas always seem to cause mildew problems. To prevent this, every shower and tub in a Pringle home is sealed with marine grade silicon caulk, and every bathroom has mechanical ventilation to the exterior of the home.
Pringle uses every material available to insure that mold and mildew will not be a problem for homeowners. We've lived in a Pringle home for 14 years and have not experienced any problems with mold or mildew. The Òtest of timeÓ has proven to us that an investing in a Pringle home is a wise decision.
Back to Articles |
