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Protecting the window openings of a house is probably one of the most important steps a person can take to protect their family and belongings. When a hurricane hits, high winds and pounding rains are the result. High winds can cause objects such as roof tiles, branches, garbage cans and so on to become projectiles. When this happens, the outer envelope – the separation between the interior and the exterior environments of a building is at risk.
Learn how to inspect and treat your home for Formosan subterranean termites.
If you protect a building with a floodwall, sealant, plastic wrap or any other barrier, you will need to pump water during floods.
You can keep shallow flood water out of a slab-on-grade home using plastic sheeting supported by the wall of the building or on special stands away from the wall. This is an emergency protection measure that is more effective than using sandbags, but does require advance preparation.
Use this checklist to explore features and components of a sustainable Louisiana house.
The goal is safe and independent living for just about anyone.
Biological air pollutants affect the health of more people than any other indoor pollutant...
The grounds of LaHouse include sustainable landscape features.
Louisiana House Home & Landscape Resource Center
A flood-damaged building requires special attention to avoid or correct a mold population explosion.
What parents and school staff can do to ensure safe and healthy drinking water in long vacant buildings where stagnant water could contain bacteria and lead.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of consumers complain to their state attorneys general about home repair ripoffs. The National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, in fact, says home repairs are second only to car repairs on the nation’s complaint list. (PDF format only)
The phrase “wet floodproofing” may sound like a contradiction, but it is the label used to refer to a collection of methods intended to reduce damage to a building when flooding occurs. This publication explains how wet floodproofing lets water into the building but protects the structure, contents and building systems independently. (PDF format only)
Hiring a qualified contractor for mold remediation is not required but generally is safer and more effective than a "do-it-yourself" approach because of the use of specialized equipment. In either case, you should carefully follow safety precautions to reduce exposure to mold. This publication provides guidance on safe and effective mold remediation practices and how to select a qualified remediation professional.
Are you thinking about adding a solar energy system to your home to generate electricity? If so, this consumer guide will help you explore various options, ask important questions and make a well-informed decision. (PDF Format Only)
Proper construction techniques help to keep your roof where it belongs in a storm...
Use multiple methods to make your home resistant to termites and other wood-destroying insects.
Imagine turning your house upside down and shaking it....
Heat moves three ways...
You don’t have to give up comfort to control your heating bill. Here are winter energy saving strategies for southern homes that offer best bang for the buck.
One Saturday each season, LaHouse opens its doors outside its normal weekday operating hours and has experts on hand to answer questions.
Portal to the Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Indicates the age of the Effective FIRM, and shows parishes that have new flood risk information available.
Contractors are required to maintain Lead-Safe certification for the EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP). You play an important role in preventing lead poisoning!
3-day course provides building science insights and methods for safe and effective mold removal and control in buildings.
Seminar and tour about common causes of moisture problems and best practices in home construction to keep it dry.
As the energy-efficiency bar rises, the margin for error shrinks. Join this 3-day workshop to gain expertise in building science concepts that are key to prevent, diagnose and solve problems. You’ll learn best practice methods for HVAC design and crucial air sealing techniques to achieve the 2009 IRC energy code duct tightness provisions. This course also includes Duct and Envelope Tightness (DET) verifier training and certification.
Become a certified Duct and Envelope Tightness (DET) Verifier qualified to perform the diagnostic testing required for new homes.
If your home’s roof was ever damaged by a storm, it doesn't have to happen again! This describes roofing products and installation methods that can survive.
Take control of your future by making your home more resilient for the next hurricane with these wind-hardy home restoration improvements.
Making your home flood-hardy and resilient means you can clean-up and move back in quickly, with minimal tear-out, replacement, cost and ordeal.
When restoring your damaged home or remodeling, take control of your future with these healthy home improvements to make your home a better place to breathe,
Take control of your future by making your restored or remodeled home more comfortable, with lower utility bills, through energy-saving home improvements.
Frequently asked questions about flooded home restoration, and science based answers to help owners and contractors make informed decisions.
Homes can and do withstand strong hurricanes, if they are designed and reinforced for the wind hazard risk of the area.
here are six approaches you can take to preventing damage in future floods: elevate the building, block the water in the yard, seal the building, use materials that water won't hurt, and elevate appliances and systems.
A back-flow valve in the common sewer line should allow sewer water to flow from the house to the sewer system, but prevent flow toward the house. To provide best protection from a flooded sewer system, the valve should provide a good seal and operate automatically.
There are several things we can do, in addition to cleaning high touch surfaces, to help prevent the spread of COVID 19, or any infectious disease.
A resilient home can be quickly restored at low cost to a safe, healthy, comfortable home after disasters -- more important now than ever during the pandemic.
Keep your home safe and secure with these five "S" home improvement projects that can prevent costly hurricane damages.
Many raised floor homes in a warm, humid climate develop cupped wood flooring and subfloor moisture problems. This article provides causes and solution options.
