90% of U.S. Households Have Poor Structure — How To Cope With Post-War Building Challenges?

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David Hucks
David Huckshttps://myrtlebeachsc.com
David Hucks is a 12th generation descendant of the area we now call Myrtle Beach, S.C. David attended Coastal Carolina University and like most of his family, has never left the area. David is the lead journalist at MyrtleBeachSC.com

According to a study presented by the building industry trade association, around 9 in 10 American houses are poorly insulated. The North American Insulation Manufacturer Association (NAIMA for short) revealed that a high number of households struggle to keep their energy expenses low throughout the year. Indeed, according to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), electricity consumption in residential areas would drop by 5% nationwide and natural gas use by over 10% if proper insulation solutions were fitted in U.S. homes. 

Why are American houses built without appropriate insulation? American houses built post-war in the 1950s have faced high pressures to support the economy. As suburbs virtually appear overnight, the building style needs to cope with the relentless fast pace. As a result, builders have had to come up with compromises, using plywood instead of cinder blocks or bricks and favoring weak insulation solutions. 

In a fast-turnaround building economy, American households face significant challenges: 

External walls can become porous

Your external walls act as a protective barrier against the elements, and they shield the household from wind, rain, snow, and extreme sun rays. Yet, the facade and siding are more likely to develop algae growth and wet patches over time due to the constant exposition to the elements. According to expert pressure washing company Pro House Washers, many homeowners fail to realize how much dirt and grime accumulate on the outside of the property: pollen, mold, mildew, algae, dust buildups, etc. 

Unfortunately, as builders prefer modulable and inexpensive materials, buildups on the surface of the exterior wall can rapidly affect the integrity of the material. As they weaken the structure, outside air and humidity find a way through the facade, seeping into the wall. 

This can have dramatic consequences, leading to rotting surfaces and weakening the internal house structure in the long term. Maintaining the external walls’ condition is crucial to protecting their functions for the house. Experts recommend annual professional washing to preserve the appearance and stability of your property. Additionally, homeowners can consider specialist paint and varnish to keep the surface waterproof and protected. 

High energy costs

As stated by the NAIMA, modern American homes lack adequate insulation solutions. Energy saving experts recommend these simple tests to identify the presence of insulation problems inside your home:

  • House is hard to heat in winter and to cool in summer
  • Internal walls reflect the external temperatures (they are cold to the touch in winter and warm in summer)
  • Rooms above the basement are always colder
  • It’s hard to regulate the temperature in rooms below the roof
  • Your energy bills increase year-on-year

Poor insulation makes it impossible to maintain temperature indoors without increasing heating costs. Indeed, insulation problems mean two things: First, the outdoor air comes in; second, the heated air can escape. For homeowners, it’s a constant battle to keep the house cozy. More often than not, homeowners are forced to sacrifice comfort and even health to reduce their energy costs. 

Poor soundproofing

For millions of Americans, the pandemic has been the start of a new work lifestyle. Professionals were forced to work from home during the 2020 outbreak whenever possible. Many businesses have embraced remote positions, driving the home office revolution. Transforming an existing room inside your property to create a comfortable home office has become the number DIY project throughout 2020 and 2021. 

Unfortunately, the combination of flimsy insulation and building materials is not sufficient to block sound waves traveling inside the home. For Americans working from home, sound pollution is one of the biggest distractions during the day. Both internal and external sounds can travel, affecting your focus, productivity, and mood. While investing in noise-canceling headphones can provide some relief during the day, they also create artificial pressure on your ears, which can lead to discomfort if you need to wear them for 8 hours straight every day. Therefore, it becomes essential to consider solutions to soundproof the home office, such as adding a solid door to the office, creating internal padding inside the room, and adding insulation against the walls and ceiling. 

Increased pest removal costs

Every homeowner will need to handle the presence of pests on their property at some point during their stay. Whether they are concerned about bees or wasps in the garden or you suspect small mammals from going through their bins, it is hard to keep wildlife out of your home. 

Yet, post-war buildings are almost single-handedly responsible for the increase in the U.S. pest control industry market value. Indeed, in 2021, the market was worth almost 17 billion USD. Why do we need to spend so much on pest removal activities?

The answer is simple: Because our homes are not equipped to keep them at bay. Indeed, rodents and insects can easily make their way through the building materials, eating holes through walls and insulation. Unlike older properties that used solid bricks, the plywood structure presents no challenge for unwanted visitors. 

High risks of sick building syndrome

It’s not uncommon for homeowners to complain about various symptoms attributed to a poor immune system, increasing stress levels, or overall fatigue. In reality, symptoms such as lack of energy, body aches, nausea, runny nose, throat irritations, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and even itchy skin rashes could be caused by sick building syndrome (SBS). Indeed, SBS typically occurs in the presence of poor indoor air quality inside a building. 

The typical post-war homes can make it increasingly difficult to control and improve indoor air quality. They are more likely to drive mold or fungus growth through the porous wall structure and thin insulation solution. Additionally, the building materials can increase the presence of toxic particles in the air, such as formaldehyde. Noisy environments and uncomfortable temperatures can also affect the risk of SBS. While doctors can’t pinpoint a single cause, they often find that similar construction methods are recurrent in building sickness. While the symptoms of SBS disappear once you leave the building, many American families have no choice but to stay. 

Is it time for the American building sector to focus on creating safe housing solutions for the population? There is no denying that both constructors and environmentalists are desperate to improve the current situation. However, material costs, deadlines, and lack of support remain unmovable obstacles in our quest for better housing. 

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