Sucking On Wood
Another great tip as everyone gets outside in the warmer weather, does the yearly maintenance, and continues to get our homes ready for spring and summer.
Thanks to James Quarello for the reminder.
Wood Mulch is a very common ground cover around Connecticut homes. It comes in a variety of colors people find appealing. It looks great, there is no doubt, when its new and fresh. As it ages, the color fades and the wood begins to decay. Generally mulch needs to be refreshed every year.
Which is another reason I dislike this colorful wood product.
After a year and usually with snow blanketed over it for a few months, last years wood mulch looks pretty sad. If you have mulch around your house, you or someone will have the job of putting down bright, new mulch every spring. Care is not always exercised when the new is laid however or the previous layer for that matter.
During a recent home inspection I smelled the wonderful fragrance of fresh wood mulch. A new crimson blanket had been laid around the perimeter of the house. As I walked along the exterior of the home, enjoying the scent, I came upon the A/C condensing unit. It showed the effects of collateral mulching.
Often times when wood mulch is present around a house with a central A/C system, the outdoor compressor unit is partially buried in mulch. This house was no exception. Further the cooling fins in this and many other instances are choked with mulch dust. This unit's fins almost match the ground.
A compressor with clogged cooling fins can not breathe well. It's not much different than sliding a paper bag over your head, you would be laboring to draw every breath.
The thing to remember is when laying down mulch, do so with care around your A/C condensing unit. Give it room to breathe. Better yet use decorative stone, once and done.
James Quarello
Connecticut Home Inspector
Former SNEC-ASHI President
NRSB #8SS0022
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC
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