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While the saying goes, “it’s what’s on the inside that matters,” when it comes to your home, the exterior walls are equally crucial. Dive into our articles on exterior walls to understand the impact of water on materials like brick, stucco, and house siding. Learn how to recognize and assess potential concerns, especially when it comes to cracks in the exterior brick walls. Whether you’re a homeowner looking for preventive measures or require guidance in ongoing Exterior Home Maintenance, our carefully curated resources are designed to empower you with the knowledge necessary to safeguard and improve the outer appearance of your home. Because, indeed, when it comes to your dwelling, what’s on the outside matters just as much as what’s on the inside.

Has the Drought Affected Your House?

By Michael LeBas / January 9, 2024 / Comments Off on Has the Drought Affected Your House?
can drought affect house

If you live in south Louisiana, you know the drought of 2023 was rough.  Oppressive heat and dry weather made life miserable for everyone.  One of the big consequences of the drought was damage to houses.  Thats right!  Has anyone noticed doors “sticking” or binding when opening or closing the door?  How about brick cracks…

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Can water get through brick, stucco, and house siding?

By Michael LeBas / March 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Can water get through brick, stucco, and house siding?
brick water damage

The quick, easy answer is absolutely, yes! The follow-up question is more important – why should you care and how does it affect your home? House Cladding Systems Getting back to the easy answer – in simplest terms if the appearance of something changes when it gets wet, such as brick or stucco getting darker…

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Should brick cracks be a concern to me?

By Michael LeBas / March 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Should brick cracks be a concern to me?
brick wall crack

Your level of concern on brick cracks in your wall is directly associated with the type, location, and nature of the crack. Keep in mind brick is strong in compression (forces sitting on top of it) but brittle. A small hairline crack in a single brick is of little concern. A large, jagged crack through…

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Do stucco cracks mean the stucco is not installed correctly?

By Michael LeBas / March 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Do stucco cracks mean the stucco is not installed correctly?
stucco crack

The location and type of stucco crack may provide some insight into if the stucco is installed correctly. But not every crack means there is a problem with the installation. Causes of Stucco Cracking Wall System Governmental, trade association guidelines and best practices allow for certain hairline cracks, due to the nature of the material.…

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Wall Base Flashing

By Michael LeBas / March 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Wall Base Flashing
wall base flashing

What is wall base flashing? Well, it is never seen but especially important in the water management in the exterior wall of your house. Simply stated, flashing is installed at the bottom of the wall behind brick or tile masonry and usually polyethylene (plastic) material. As discussed in other HOUSETIPS articles, rainwater passes through brick,…

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The Value of Tuck Pointing

By Michael LeBas / March 10, 2023 / Comments Off on The Value of Tuck Pointing
HOUSETIPS - The Value of Tuck Pointing

What is tuck pointing? Tuck pointing is a term used in the repair of masonry walls and veneers on houses – specifically referring to the mortar in the masonry of your house. It is basically a method of removing the old mortar and replacing it with new mortar. So why would you want, or need,…

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Why is my garage door so noisy?

By Michael LeBas / March 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Why is my garage door so noisy?
garage door noise

Why is my garage door so noisy when opening and closing? Your garage door is large and has many moving parts, including the motor, drive mechanism, hinges, rollers, springs, cables, and the door panels themselves. When all those parts start moving, they can make a lot of noise. Add to that the fact you are…

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Oil Paint vs. Latex Paint

By Michael LeBas / March 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Oil Paint vs. Latex Paint
Oil Paint vs. Latex Paint

When painting a home, you generally have two choices when it comes to paint selection – oil paint or latex paint. While there are other terms and labels used like acrylic, alkyd, and enamel, there are a couple of important things to remember when choosing paint types. Oil-based and alkyd paints are basically the same…

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Cloudy Windows

By Michael LeBas / March 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Cloudy Windows
Cloudy Windows

Cloudy or fogged windows are not only an aesthetic issue for homeowners. Air leaks and moisture intrusion caused by failed sealant create a cloudy appearance, and can cause energy costs to skyrocket. Insulated windows have a thin space between the inner and outer glass panes of the window, which may contain no air (a vacuum)…

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Common Types of Windows

By Michael LeBas / March 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Common Types of Windows
Types of Windows

In the residential market, there are three common types of windows: Each type can accommodate double or triple insulated glass, so the main differences refer to the frame material. Three Common Types of Windows Metal Windows Aluminum windows were the first insulated glass window frames to become widely available, and have been around for decades.…

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