#694: Bath Fans, Too Many Minisplits, and Second-Story Additions

Monitor shipping and supply chain data (e.g., Port of Long Beach TEUs) to anticipate material availability and price fluctuations for construction projects.

Be aware of how market volatility impacts material costs and adapt pricing strategies, such as incorporating cost escalation clauses or understanding commodity versus non-commodity price trends.

Prioritize worker safety at height by carefully choosing between pump jacks, pipe staging, or lift equipment based on site conditions and project duration.

Understand local building codes for garage-to-house fire doors; standard 20-minute doors are often sufficient, but some municipalities may require 1-hour ratings, necessitating a full-assembly approach.

For ultra-tight homes, consider integrated ventilation solutions like ERV/HRV systems with boosted capacity for bathrooms instead of relying solely on exhaust-only bath fans, to ensure proper makeup air and avoid negative pressure.

When designing HVAC for tight homes, evaluate whether a multi-head mini-split system is truly optimal or if ducted mini-splits or a balanced ERV/HRV system would offer better performance and cost-effectiveness for specific zones.

For second-story additions, plan for potential water exposure during construction by using temporary waterproofing (e.g., EPDM over floor systems) and having strategies for drying out wet materials if a storm hits.