Home Sweet Home? How Damp Can Ruin Your Health

You'd be forgiven for thinking that people in the Western World live in relatively good conditions - but did you know that nearly half of all houses in Europe and North America have serious damp and mold problems.Those who rent their homes, particularly on the lower end of the market, will no doubt have come across mold infestations when looking at properties.However the majority of folks don't even know about the problem.A lot of the time damp lurks in corners that we just dont notice - and often it's hiding inside walls and structures. 

Health problems
Scientific studies have shown damp to cause serious health problems.Many times people get hayfever-like symptoms as a result of damp - watery eyes, sneezing and nasal congestion.Far worse is the recent study in the UK which linked damp with causing asthma in children.  Damp can also cause serious respiratory problems in the long run.  Another recent study even revealed a connection between mold and depression! 

Causes
You may be wondering, how this stuff manages to infect your home?In small quantities, mould is entirely natural and can easily be dealt with.  But the real problems occur when it is allowed to spread and develop fungal spores.  Mould builds up as a result of too much humidity in the air combined with a lack of proper ventilation for the moisture to escape.  Moisture builds up in a home from baths and showers, tumble dryers and cooking.But it needs to go somewhere!Poor ventilation could be caused by dodgy workmen who cut corners on damp proofing when building the house.  It also down to lack of proper ventilation.One bad side of being concerned about saving on heat loss and going green at home is that with all the insulation there's often nowhere for moisture to escape.

Prevention is better than cure
I hope I've managed to convince you that the threat of mold is a problem that shouldn't be ignored - we should all be worried about preventing it. And just because you don't already have damp, it doesn't mean you shouldn't do act now.If it does appear and spread, getting rid of it can be a real headache.  Here are some top tips on how to avoid damp buildup in your home or workplace:

1. Dry up any build up of condensation you notice around the house within 24-48 hours.Don't forget - mold cannot survive without water in the atmosphere.
2. Give the moisture in your house an escape route by getting proper ventilation.If there aren't proper air vents to the outside, get them installed.
3. Insulate cold surfaces where condensation might collect, such as windows, pipes, roofs and external walls.
4. It’s well worth considering investing in one of the many dehumidifiers out there to remove moisture from the atmosphere.  Certain portable air conditioners also do the job, with the added bonus of keeping you cool in the summer.
5. Know your rights.If things get really serious it can have awful consequenses on both your life and your finances. Get on the phone to your home insurers and find out if they cover damp problems. Landlords are frequently guilty of dealing with damp with a lick of paint - don't stand for it, have them call in a professional mold inspector.

Portable Room Air Conditioners – How To Buy Portable Air Conditioners

Dehumidification and cooling are the main functions that portable air conditioners have. You can cool down your attic or room on the spot, or you can use them as space heaters or fans. The problem with them is their price.

They´re mobile, trouble free and much easier to install than it would be if you would put in a window unit. Still, a window is still needed in the vicinity to vent the hot air outside. They come with a foam insert and an exhaust tube, with the water being drained out the window or inside a bucket. They´re pretty heavy, even if they´re portable, with a weight between 50 and 90 pounds.

Usually, their height is around 30 inches and they take between 12 and 18 inches of space. Like most other electronics, they have energy efficiency ratings, and choosing one that is higher will insure a smaller electrical bill in time.

Sizes of Portable room air conditioners

Some of the available portable air conditioners can cool down a room with a size between 150 and 200 square feet. These are usually of the 7500-8000 BTU power.

They´re the most economical and small units you can find. In some cases, they will come with separate dehumidifier and cooling functions for you to choose from. An air filter, a timer, three cooling fan speeds and a temperature display are some of the functions you can choose from.

If the room is bigger than 200 square feet, you should go with a 9000 BTU unit instead. Some of them come with an ion generator and come in two different sizes, 9500 and 11500 BTU. Both these types of models have remote controls and multiple speeds to choose from.

The most recent ones even come with self-evaporating technology. There are even 10000 BTU units available, which can take care of a 250 square feet room, and they also come with a washable activated carbon filter, two speed fans, 8 hour timer and a remote control.

To make a choice of a portable air conditioner, the rooms required to be conditioned and the cumulative square footage of these have to be considered. This data can be used at the US Department of Energy's air conditioner size calculator to finalize what strength is required.

Further, the style has to be selected. When portability is the prime requirement, a free standing air conditioner is the ideal choice. The different types in these are:
In order to be able to choose a portable air conditioner, you need to know how much square feet a room has first. You can use this data together with the US Department of Energy site, which offers a size calculator, and find out how much strength you need.

Discover where to buy cheap portable air conditioners online. Learn more about air conditioning filters at my site.

What may cause my kids illness?

Indoor air pollution may not sound too serious, but it does contribute to some terrible diseases like, asthma, respiratory infections, and even lung cancer. You need to be very concerned with pollution indoors because lung disease, every year, claims 335,000 American lives. People constantly warn you of the harmful effects of giant factories, and exhaust from motor vehicles; however they do not often enough discuss the dangers of indoor air pollution. Poor indoor air quality can cause headaches, nasal congestion, nausea, and dry eyes as well as causing chronic lung problems. It is especially dangerous for someone who already suffers from lung problems, to be exposed to indoor air pollution on a regular basis. You may never suspect it, but the quality of air in your home could easily be polluted by many biological pollutants. Many people get sick and miss days of school and work, when their illness could be prevented by keeping up with good quality air, in the home. You could have a number of biological pollutants in your air such as, bacteria, molds, pollen, viruses, dust mites, and even pet dander. There are many ways to keep things like mold out of your home, and the sooner you learn of these the better your life will be.

Just how badly each person is harmed by pollution will depend on the duration of exposure, as well as the amount they were exposed to during that time. These together, are referred to as the total exposure to the pollution. Elderly and children are most suseptable to the effects of poor air quality and pollution. It is also dangerous for people with asthma or lung disease to be exposed to air pollution. many benefits out-weigh the causes of air pollution and most people are aware of them and know they harm us. It is not until we have felt the effects of air pollution personally that we begin to be concerned with fixing the problem.

This can be done by keeping good air flow in the rooms of your home, and keeping them clean regularly. If your basement is high in humidity, you might need to buy a dehumidifier to keep the smell of mold out. A major cause of indoor air pollution is cigarette smoke. It is especially terrible if a person smokes around non smokers like their children. Environmental tobacco smoke is known to cause 3,000 lung cancer deaths and at least 30,000 deaths from heart disease each year, in non smokers. Another cause of indoor air pollution, that can even cause death, is carbon monoxide. There are many appliances in the home that use gas or wood as fuel, including heating systems, which can release carbon monoxide into your home. arbon monoxide, a serious problem because carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that stops oxygen from getting to vital parts of the body. In mild cases it can cause fatigue, dizziness, confusion, and headaches; however when inhaled in high doses it will cause death. You can get detectors for carbon monoxide which is the only way to know it is in your air. Common sense and knowledge will help defend against indoor air pollution.

How To Seek And Destroy Basement Mold

Why is  mold in the basement so common? The answer is rather simple, actually. Most of the houses that experience the occurrence of basement mold are likely to have leaks in their basements or unseen water entry ways. This wet or humid environment is ideal for the growth of mold.  In fact, many basements have mold, but the homeowners never even know it!

What we have learned about mold is the fact that it thrives in moist, damp environments and that the darkness further creates a great place for mold to grow in. So what better place than in a damp and dark basement to settle in, right?

Once you spot even just a small amount of mold in your basement you should begin looking for a leak in your pipes or somewhere that water might be seeping through into your basement. Check all the edges and corners as well as around the water heater and all the joints on your pipes. The sooner you find these leaks, get them fixed and kill the mold that is already there, the lower the chances of it spreading to other places in your home.

Having just a small amount of basement mold visible to the eye shouldn't make you feel complacent about the situation. The thing is, there might be hidden mold behind the walls, under the carpeting and even in the ceiling. Mold can spread through spores so once you have it in one spot, it can be spread to other areas. If there is a place that is attractive for mold growth, it's a sure bet that the mold spores will find it.

So when you do a check, make sure that you cover everything. Getting rid of just the visible mold in your basement will only be a temporary fix if you don't also fix the water problem. You might consider getting a dehumidifier once you get rid of the existing mold and fix the leaks as basements, by nature, can be rather humid even without leaking water.

Mold can be rather persistent and, since it likes dark places, it can “hide” in areas where you might not find it so it is important that you take the steps to create an unfriendly environment for it. Keeping things neat and organized as well as stored in sealed containers can help a lot.  If you have anything with fabric such as tents, or the cushions from patio furniture, you should check these periodically for mildew as once a bit of dampness gets into these fabrics, storing them in the basement can be a disaster for them and once fabrics get mildew or mold, you are unlikely to ever be able to get it out.

It's no fun having basement mold, but if you take action when you first notice it than you will run much less of a risk of your mold problem getting out of hand. Not only is mold unpleasant to smell and look at, but it can also have adverse health effects so getting rid of it fast should be a priority.

How to Get Rid of Mold – Why You Get It And How To Effectively Kill It

From the dawn of time mold has been on this planet. It comes in a variety of forms and colors and is caused by fungus growth. The spores of mold can cause the spread of this organism and certain factors can spur its growth. Mold needs a source of food, dampness, humidity and the spores themselves to be able to evolve.

Mold is present outdoors as well as inside. Typical places that mold grows are ceilings, wallpaper, wood, painted areas and carpets. It is quite normal to find it in places such as the basement or the bathroom. A few types of mold can be toxic and therefore dangerous to human health; this is the best reason to eradicate the problem. People can develop allergies to mold and many of the symptoms of suffering from the effects of mold include a runny nose, sneezing, itchy and red eyes as well as headaches.

There are easy ways in which you can rid your property of mold. In fact something as common and ordinary as vinegar can be used to get rid of mold. You can use a bottle to spray the vinegar directly onto the affected areas like grout in tiles, shower cubicles and the seals on faucets. Mold can grow anywhere in the home so remember to check all areas thoroughly- that unused kitchen cabinet with its food remnants and dampness will be a perfect place for mold to form.

A portable air conditioner is a handy utensil to have. During the hot and humid weather it will help to stop mold growing in your home. The humidity of your property should be kept at approximately 30%-50% to be productive.

In the winter months when it is colder, a dehumidifier is a great asset in the fight against the formation of mold in the home. Again, the humidity level should be maintained around the 30%-50% mark, but should still be at a pleasant level for your room temperature.

One of the commonest places to find mold is in the carpet. If you find that mold has settled on your carpet there are basically two options; you can replace the carpet with wooden flooring, or treat the carpet with baking soda. Leave the baking soda to sit on the carpet for a few hours and then vacuum off.

If the influx of mold is serious, then it may be best to consider calling the professionals to deal with the problem. An assessor can visit your home and identify the type of mold growing. Then a team will use tools such as wet vacuums, dry wipe materials and HEPA vacuums to eradicate the problem. There is a slight possibility that any lingering mold spores in the air may cause it to return, in which case a second treatment may be needed.

There is a serious element to mold being in your home and it should be considered an immediate problem, due to the possible risks to your health. As soon as you spot that mold forming tackle the problem quickly and head on.  Chances are that you have harmful mold in your home right now! If you want to learn how to get rid of mold then all you have to do is Click Here!

Guidelines for a Home Air Conditioner

A home air conditioning unit is a great thing to have in your home. It's important that you get the right kind of air conditioning unit since not all models are appropriate for all homes and weather conditions.

Your best investment might just be a multi-use air conditioner unit. If your air conditioner includes a dehumidifier your rooms will be more comfortable and you won't be breathing in recycled air all the time. You might want to consider an air conditioning unit that produces cold air in the summertime and heat in the wintertime. This kind of multipurpose home air conditioning unit is ideal if you live in an area that has mild winters that may not need extensive central heating. Home air conditioners that incorporate an air purifier are ideal for people who suffer from allergies. This is ideal in the summertime when the pollen levels are high. With an air purifier you won’t have to worry about stale air being recycled or circulated throughout the room.

Sometimes the focus of your search for the right home air conditioning unit might not be on what it does but on how it is installed. A simple air conditioner is a popular choice because it's less obtrusive and you don't have to have an external unit installed. The problem with an external air conditioning unit is that there isn't always room for it on tiny properties.

While units without external components may be more expensive they tend to be easier to install and may not need rewiring for installation. Therefore the cost of installation is minimal since you don't have to hire a professional installer. Before you buy anthing you will want to get a quote on how much it will cost to install a home air conditioning unit.

A portable air conditioner is the simplest type of product to use at home. This kind of unit does not need to be installed and can be wheeled from one room to another. Your room likely won't be quite as cool as with a permanently installed system, but it's a cheap and easy way to cool off without a lot of trouble.

How To Eliminate Basement Dampness

One of the biggest problems with basements is that they tend to be cold and moist which leads to mold. Basement mold is not only ugly but it is also dangerous to both children and adults by contributing to allergies and asthma. Any basement design ideas you have should address the mold factor and work to make sure it does not become a problem.

One of the best way to make your basement floors warm and to eliminate wetness is to have radiant heat installed. This is easier if your house is new and still under construction. There are two kinds of radiant heat, hydronic and electric. Hydronic radiant heat involved warm water through tubes under the floor and electric radiant heat involves electrical wires much like your toaster. If your house is already built, electric radiant heat is by far the easier of the two to install.

If you have an issue with basement mold and basement dampness, another one of your options is to look into basement dehumidifiers. Basement mold will ruin your basement and present real health problems as well. Keeping your basement dry is very important for many reasons and one way to accomplish this is to buy a dehumidifier that will keep your basement free of moisture. A dehumidifier can be found at almost any home improvement store as well as online if you want one delivered right to your door.

Buying a cheap basement dehumidifier is a great investment and one of those basement ideas that you should do if you have any problem at all with wetness. Running a dehumidifier year round or part of the year will mean a higher electricity bill but you can get many dehumidifiers that are energy efficient and the extra output won't be too bad. Having a slightly higher electricity bill is a small price to pay for a dry and healthy basement.

Sealing your basement from the elements is another way you should be protecting yourself from mold and other harmful effects that can seep in. Make sure all openings are caulked and that there is proper ventilation around the foundation. You need to make sure that water does not form around the house and that there are gutters that move the water away from the basement foundation. Again, the idea is to make everything as dry as possible year round.

Making your basement dry year round is the first step in making those basement ideas possible and turning that room below your house into whatever dream room you desire.

Different Types Of Solar Energy

Passive Solar Energy

Solar panels can be used to create the type of solar energy that does not require mechanical aid called passive solar energy. This type of technology uses sunlight to provide heating and cooling of water and air. This quite interesting in that the very design and location of a home will be based on this technology. The altitude of the sun in winter and summer, the geographical location of your home are all variables in utilizing passive solar energy. One example of use of passive solar energy would be a sunroom, or solarium.

Passive solar energy can be used based on the construction of a house to supply energy for heat, and to cool your home. Heat is ventilated into your home after storage. You can also heat your water using passive solar energy. It has been noted that solar panels used to generate passive solar energy to heat water generate more power than those used for generating electricity. Maybe we should call passive solar energy, straight sun power.

The trick to passive solar energy is that it doesn't have to convert solar energy into electricity, thus losing a certain amount of energy in the process. What you're left with is a more efficient heating and cooling system than you would have if you converted solar energy into electricity and then used that solar energy for your water heater, electric heat registers, and air conditioners.

However, you may want to complement the cooling aspect of this system with a dehumidifier or two to take the humidity out of the air, which can make the cooling feel a lot more efficient, or you may even want to have an air conditioner for back up for particularly hot days that reach degrees in the three digits. People in Texas and Nevada, Arizona, will need this.

Solar panels will cover about 1/3 the total square feet of your home. Whether you are using panels for passive solar energy or solar energy for electricity, or both, the cost savings is worth it. In time it will pay for the initial cost of installation. Installing your home solar energy system right the first time with aid of a professional will position you to enjoy free energy safe for the environment and beneficial to your family. Not to mention, increase the value of your home.

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Bamboo Floor Installation Questions Answered

You’ve decided to replace your floor with bamboo. You buy the materials that you need and bring them home. Now what? How do you install your new floor properly so you can enjoy it for many years? One of the first steps you should take is to inspect your materials. Bamboo is a natural material and will have slight variations in color. Any material that has serious defects should be returned to the supplier if at all possible.

 

What about Floor Preparation?

 

One important step in bamboo flooring installation is being sure that the subfloor is sound. Because of the properties of bamboo, particleboard subfloors are unacceptable. The subfloor should be either ¾” OSB, 5/8” plywood, concrete or an existing solid wood subfloor. This will help keep the moisture content down so the adhesive used to lay the bamboo will not fail. The subfloor must be level to ensure the best possible installation. If the subfloor is subject to moisture, it shouldn’t exceed 2%; otherwise it should remain dry year round.

 

Now Can We Install?

 

Humidity and temperature should be consistent for ten days minimum before installation. If a room exceeds 80° or falls below 50°, or if the humidity is allowed to fluctuate higher than 65% or lower than 35%, most warranties will be voided. A dehumidifier or humidifier may be used to regulate the conditions of the room where the floor is installed. Always sweep the floor before installation begins. Dirt left behind will cause the floor to lie incorrectly.

 

To Nail, Glue, or Float?

 

Bamboo can be installed by nailing, gluing, or by using the floating method. If nailing, the planks should be started square with the room. Be sure that it is parallel to its longest length (achieved by using a chalk line). Make sure to leave a 3/8” expansion from any wall, base plate or other stationary vertical areas. Site made spacers are perfect for ensuring this. Once the starter rows are firmly in place by wedging or face nailing you can begin to add additional rows. Make sure you blind nail them directly above each tongue at a 45-50 degree angle. Also space your fasteners 10-12” apart with a minimum of two per plank.

 

Rather “Stick To It?”

 

Make sure that you use elastomeric moisture barrier wood flooring adhesive such as “Bostik’s Best,” or “Franklin’s 811 Plus.” Follow their directions on how to use, handle, and store the adhesive. Once you are ready to install, spread the adhesive with a notched trowel. Make sure to spread only as much adhesive as you will be covering in one hour so it does not have time to dry before the planks are in place. Once the glue has become tacky you are ready to lay the planks. The planks should be installed in the same manner as the nailing method, being sure to vary the tones in the planks as you go. Continue until the floor is totally covered. It is very important to remove any adhesive that gets on the surface. Once cured it is extremely difficult to remove.

 

How About Floating?

 

Using the floating method requires the installation of a suitable vapor barrier and/or underlayment between your flooring and the subfloor. This also includes taping the seams to ensure full coverage of the subfloor. One recommended adhesive is E-Z Bond (Medium Viscosity formula 1-866-239-2663). Remember! This material “sets” in approximately 15 seconds (it is kin to “super glue”). Before you glue the planks together, make sure they fit properly. Begin the installation using spacers to make sure that the recommended expansion perimeter is maintained (3/8”). Place the groove of the starter row against the wall and apply the adhesive along the bottom of the groove. Quickly tap the planks together using a tapping block. Also apply glue to the bottom side of the groove at the end joints for the first several rows.

 

You have installed your new bamboo flooring. Now you can sit back and enjoy the elegance and refinement that it brings to your room. Remember, keep the humidity and temperature under control and you will be able to enjoy your bamboo floor for years to come.