Delaware County, Pennsylvania Real Estate Blog

Egress Windows - ABC'S OF REAL ESTATE (A-Z/E)

Egress windows are windows that allow a person to exit a house through a window that is designed to act more like a door.  The window is usually a basement window and offers room on the outside of the window for an adult to easily exit and stand to fully vacate a house.  These windows look like regular windows but open like a door.  They serve the purpose of a window and when installed actually end up letting more light in because of their larger size. 

The main advantage of egress windows is that they can save lives.  Many basements have only one entrance via a stairwell from the main floor inside a house. If a fire were to break out in the kitchen where many basement stairways begin, and there was no other door out, then the smaller basement windows would be the only means of escape. Having an egress window would allow an adult to exit through a window designed to fit an adult, which is larger than the standard size basement window.

If your basement does not have a door or stairwell directly to the outside, then consider installing an egress window, not only will it bring more light into your basement, but it can also be your basement fire escape.

(Written by Gloria)


ABC'S OF REAL ESTATE - A Series:
Arch Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) - ABC'S OF REAL ESTATE (A-Z/A)
Bricks - ABC'S OF REAL ESTATE (A-Z/B)
Ceiling Fan Blade Rotations - ABC'S OF REAL ESTATE (A-Z/C)
Downspout Extensions (A-Z/D)

Downspout Extensions - ABC'S OF REAL ESTATE (A-Z/D)

Do you get water in your basement after a heavy rain?  We used to.  Then Doug added downspout extensions in two locations off of our house and now we are almost totally free of moisture in the basement.   

Before he did this, the downspouts from the rain gutters were just that: funnels directing water down and out onto the ground right next to the house's foundation. When there was a heavy rain, the water was just being forced down into our basement.  Now with the extensions, the water is directed to a location five or six feet from the house and this has made all the difference.  

The only time we get any moisture now, which is minimal, is when it rains for days on end and moisture just makes its way up under the basement floor in the usual spots.  Something we can live with for now.

During heavy rains we check to see if all the downspouts are flowing and not blocked with debris.  If they are blocked we make sure we clean the gutters and downspouts the next chance we get.  Gutter guards are helpful in preventing leaves and pine needles from clogging up downspouts, if it is in your budget.

Clean your rain gutters every spring and fall after the leaves have all fallen.  Keep an eye on your gutter and downspout performances throughout the year and hopefully you too will resolve most of the moisture problems in your basement.

(Written by Gloria)

ABC'S OF REAL ESTATE - A Series:
Arch Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) - ABC'S OF REAL ESTATE (A-Z/A)
Bricks - ABC'S OF REAL ESTATE (A-Z/B)
Ceiling Fan Blade Rotations - ABC'S OF REAL ESTATE (A-Z/C)

Ceiling Fan Blade Rotations - ABC'S OF REAL ESTATE (A-Z/C)

Ceiling Fans are a great addition to any home.  They are quiet and help to circulate air making a room more comfortable in any season.

Did you know that the direction of a ceiling fan's blade rotation makes a difference on the flow of air in a room?  Well it does.  If you look at the blades on a fan you will notice that the blades are on an angle.  This angle is important to help pull up air in a room or to push it down. 

Most ceiling fans are designed the same, in that if it goes counter clockwise it will push down on the air in a room and if it goes clockwise it will push the air up against the ceiling which then bounces down in a room.

During the summer months, set the blades to move counter clockwiseso the air is being pushed down, forcing the air to have direct contact with a person's skin. 

In the winter, have the blades goes clockwise, so the warm and cold air are set in motion, blending the two, making a warmer room. The current is a subtle current due to it bouncing off the ceiling.

To change the direction of the blades, turn off the fan, look for a switch that is located on the base of the unit close to the ceiling, and flip the switch.

(Written by Gloria)

ABC'S OF REAL ESTATE - Read More:
Arch Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) - ABC'S OF REAL ESTATE (A-Z/A)
Bricks - ABC's OF REAL ESTATE (A-Z/B)