SITA Articles

Proper Site Drainage for Residential Buildings Many homeowners are unaware of how much slope (grade) is needed around a house foundation. This is an important issue, because if land grading is not done properly, runoff can be directed toward your foundation. This unwanted water can eventually compromise its integrity. If the ground

Indications You Have a Foundation Problem How can you determine if you have a foundation problem?   It’s not as big a mystery as many might think.  If the structure of your house appears to be moving, you should get your foundation checked by a qualified contractor or licensed professional engineer. 

What is an Arc Fault? Most people are familiar with the term arcing. Arcing may be intended, such as with an arc welder or unintended, such as when a tree falls on a power line during a storm creating a current discharge between conductors or to the ground. An arc

What is a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter? A ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is there to protect people from electrical shock, so it is completely different from a fuse. This is different from a circuit breaker or fuse. The idea behind a fuse is to protect a house from an electrical fire. If the

Why Bond Gas Piping? Bonding is provided primarily to prevent a possible electric shock hazard for persons coming into contact with the gas piping and other metal objects that are connected to the grounding system, but which may be energized at a different level of electrical potential.  Gas piping can

Air Duct Maintenance Do you really need to pay good money to have your air ducts cleaned? The short answer is “probably not.” But before you call up dad to chant “I told you so,” it’s important to understand why you probably don’t need to do it — and why we just italicized “probably.” (Because

Caulking Around Doors and Windows Before You Start Caulking should be applied when the temperature is above 45 F with low humidity. Also, caulking may take up to 24 hours to fully dry. The best time to apply caulk is in the spring or fall when there is no rain

Cooling Equipment Maintenance You wouldn’t drive your car 100,000 miles without changing the oil. The same logic holds true for your home comfort system. Regular HVAC preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure trouble-free operation and peak performance. Pre-season maintenance is also important. It can help to avoid a