How is Black Mold Formed?

 DIY Repairs, Health and Safety, Uncategorized
Dec 252010
 

As soon as someone finds black mold in their home, their first question is “How did that get here?”

What people don’t realize about black mold is that it is everywhere! It will lie undetected for years until the optimum conditions arise. The mold spores have probably been there since the house has been built or they could have drifted in through an open window, it is impossible to know.

The spores are incredibly difficult and time consuming to remove as they are almost invisible. You don’t need to worry about the spores in terms of your health though, they will have no detrimental impact on your health. You do however need to be fully aware of the conditions which cause spores to develop into mold.

Black mold is very robust and only needs two things to thrive, low light levels and moisture; these are most commonly created by abnormal humidity levels and water emergencies in your home. Mold is able to grow on almost any surface if the proper conditions are there. When mould develops it will leave a musky smell, this should be your first indication of the problem and at this stage you need to take action.

High humidity can be caused by many things. Poor ventilation is one thing. Even everyday activities you do will cause moisture to enter your home. Not moping up a water spill or drying clothing inside your home can cause excess moisture to build. These conditions which allow the mold to fester can cause hundreds or thousands of dollars of damage to your house not to mention a ton of work.

Water emergencies are problems that we all have and if left untreated or improperly treated you will more than likely have black mold on your hands. We can classify water emergencies as being leaks, floods, or burst pipes. The sooner you get around to sorting these problems out, the less damage will occur.

Another reason to be wary of black mold is that it can have a very negative effect on your health, triggering asthma.

Without a doubt black mold is something that we need to be aware of so that it can be treated properly before it gets out of hand.

More information about Black Mold and Mildew
Airtech Environmental Systems

Is Your Home Making You Sick?

 Health and Safety, Uncategorized
Dec 242010
 

There exist literally hundreds of mold types, all of which are bad. Black mold, or toxic mold as it has been named, is most prominent in homes. A study was done by the British medical journal in which they tested 597 homes for mold. The findings stated that 184 homes had dampness (that could lead to mold) while 274 had mold present. The British Medical Journal reported adult respondents living in damp and mouldy dwellings were likely to report more symptoms overall, including nausea and vomiting, blocked nose, breathlessness, backache, fainting, and bad nerves, than respondents in dry dwellings. Children living in damp and mouldy dwellings had a greater prevalence of respiratory symptoms (wheeze, sore throat, runny nose) and headaches and fever compared with those living in dry dwellings.

What will surprise many reading this article is that very few of those affected in terms of health recognized that it might be due to the mold.

Mold generates spores which are present in the air. These are toxic to humans.

Mold spores are able to affect you in three different ways, by contact with your skin, by ingesting them, and by inhalation. The side effects you will experience are wholly dependent on the form of contact with the body.

Usually we would expect to experience a runny nose or itchy eyes. If the exposure continues it can become more severe though, leading to asthma or sinus inflammation. Continued exposure to spores can lead to head aches and other more serious health problems.

It is also possible to become victim to extremely serious health problems and/or get an internal infection. This however is very rare and will most likely not affect you. Those most at risk from these potential health problems are those with weak immune systems.

The effects vary from minor to severe but black mold is something that you can prevent and even eliminate in your home.

More information about mould and mildew
Airtech Environmental Systems

All About Fire Restoration

 Health and Safety, Professional Cleaning, Uncategorized
Dec 242010
 

The restoration of routines as well as the physical properties of the home can be quite a frustrating task after a fire occurs . In addition to the emotional toll it can take , your bank account can take quite a beating as well because of the costs of restoration. To alleviate some of the trauma , it is fortunate that most property owners nowadays are required to invest in some fire insurance.

 

When a fire happens in the home , the first thing that needs to be done is to contact the insurance company to inquire about financial assistance. The adjuster should inspect the site to determine the extent of the damage before any kind of restoration is done . Also, help may be obtained from an insurance loss assessor to provide additional input. The difference between these two specialists is that the adjuster works for the insurance company and his or her main goal is to save money in the loans that need to be made for the fire restoration. Alternately , the assessor works for the homeowner to ensure that the quality of workmanship is not sacrificed .

 

Once the expense is covered, preparation for the renovation begins . Friends and family members could be contacted for assistance . Another option, which is often the best one, is to hire a professional contractor that specializes in the task . While their services may be more expensive than that of a do-it-yourself project, there is the advantage of the assurance of quality of work and access to expert training and equipment.

 

A permit from your local fire department is often necessary in order to guarantee the safety of the structure before any kind of work is done. Also, the electricity of the property needs to be disconnected as a safety precaution.

 

Fire restoration occurs in various stages that usually start at the removal of soot. Vacuums are used to remove the layer of dust, which can be either dry or sticky. The smell of the property poses a different sort of problem, as the smell of smoke often lingers. One of the most common options used to eliminate this smell includes ozone treatment which involves the breakdown of molecules to remove the smell.

Sewage Clean-Up Safety Procedures

 Health and Safety, Professional Cleaning
Nov 212010
 

Water damage after an event such as a flood could have lasting implications especially when the flood water is also mixed with sewage. Sewage poses endless health risks to human beings, and that is why it is important to take maximum care in sewage cleanup. The kind of threat that sewage poses will depend on the content of the sewage and also on how far it has penetrated the structure.

When sewage enters, it will be absorbed by the materials of the structure such as paper and wood. Once such material has absorbed the sewage, bacteria and fungi easily develop and this has the potential of causing health problems for the occupants of the building.

Sewage water contains germs that can cause mold and lead to airborne diseases. Where sewage water comes into contact with carpets and other furniture, it stains and destroys them, sometimes beyond repair. To mitigate the possible health risks of sewage damage, it is important to seek professional help. Expert contractors use specialized equipment that will help you recover items that you would otherwise lose if you tried to clean up on your own.

The real importance of seeking professional help is that the contractors are able to carry out the cleanup almost immediately. They have industrial equipment and can remove the sewage water in less than twenty-four hours. This is important as it minimizes the exposure of your building to the harmful sewage water and also prevents the growth of mold and mildew. When professional help is not obtained, the cleanup process can take weeks, during which time possessions could have become unsalvagable . In such a long time the effects of bacteria and mold could have become evident through diseases .

Apart from the obvious damage to carpets and furniture after a sewage water contamination, there is a lot of disinfection that is necessary. The carpets need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected as do the walls, cabinets and closets. All the areas that have come into contact with sewage water as well as all water damaged areas require special attention. Unless the services of an expert are sought, it is possible to make mistakes which could turn out to be very costly in the long run.

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Garbage Disposals: Keeping Your Kitchen Germ and Stink Free

 Health and Safety, Product Reviews
Nov 142010
 

Cleanliness is very important in any place, whether it’s a public place, business establishment, or home. Proper waste disposal is important to keep any area clean and in the kitchen, this can mean investing in a good garbage disposal. This can keep your family away from any forms of health risks.

In the kitchen where we peel, slice, and cut ingredients for the food we prepare, there will always be litter and excess materials, and these materials should be disposed of properly and sealed inside the trash bin. The biggest concerns are raw meat and eggs. Regular trash bins are not designed to hold harmful smells or toxins from rotten garbage. When this garbage stays inside your bins for days, it can be really nasty, and disposing of it can be a disgusting job. Plus, if these wastes get into your plumbing system, your water will get contaminated and it can be a bigger problem to fix. This is where the importance of proper garbage disposal comes to place.

Below are some of your garbage disposal options.

Most commonly seen are three types of garbage disposals. These are batch feed, continuous feed, and tank disposals for septic.

The batch feed system of disposal is also called the cover control disposal of garbage. This type needs a stopper installed at the right place in order to get the work done. The advantage is that you can add the water and waste at the same time and then cover it up to start the grinding system working.

Alternatively, in the continuous feed disposal system, you need a switch attached to a sink or wall. Normally this type of system is most commonly used in homes. This system does not have the cover and it is kept open.

The garbage disposal system with a septic tank is also advantageous and not only disposes of the waste, but also has the septic system to kill the germs.

A good garbage disposal system is a very important investment in order ensure all food waste is disposed of properly and to keep your kitchen smelling fresh and germ-free.

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Laundry Detergent that Grows on Trees

 Clothing, Eco-Friendly Tips, Health and Safety, Product Reviews, Supplies
Oct 232010
 

There is a truly natural cleaning option for your laundry that it is easy on the environment and on your own family’s health. Plus, it’s also proven to be cheaper! What is this natural clothes cleaning giant? Welcome to the world of soap nuts.

History

The Sapindus Mukorossi tree, which produces the soap nuts (also known as soapberries), only grows in tropical climates. Soap Nuts are actually not nuts at all, but rather fruit. They have been used in natural remedies for various conditions from the treatment of epilepsy, migraines, and excessive salivation. They are also used in soaps and shampoos to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

Soap Nuts as Laundry Detergent

Soap nuts contain a very high quantity of saponin which is a natural detergent. The fruit will mature in October, November or December depending on a number of factors (not least of which is the weather). Sometimes the growers will gather the harvest prematurely resulting in the product being of a lesser quality and having decreased cleaning power, so it can be worthwhile to ask the owner of the store about which growers have supplied them and how they are selected.

Soap nuts are now becoming much more popular in Europe and North America, partly due to the fact that people are trying to find ways to make their dollars work harder. Soap nuts can actually be a huge savings for your laundry, as well as your general cleaning bills. One expert has advised that he can get 320 loads of washing done with $30 worth of soap nuts. Sounds good to me!

So how do you use this product? Put a handful of nuts into a wash bag and add to your laundry. You should be able to reuse the same bag for three or four washes depending on how dirty the clothes are, the size of the load and the temperature settings. You also save even more when using soap nuts because you shouldn’t need fabric softeners. The clothes will come out fresh, soft and clean. You should be able to find good quality nuts at your local store.

This natural product is safe to use for all members of your family even those with sensitive skin. You can wash baby diapers if you have moved away from using disposables. Soap nuts are a great product.  They are 100% natural, and do a great job cleaning clothes and other things.  You should consider giving them a try today.

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The Doctor Recommended Honeywell Enviracaire 50250 Air Purifier True HEPA

 Health and Safety, Product Reviews
Oct 122010
 

For people who endure seasonal allergies, or possibly have friends and family members who are allergic to cats, you will want to consider getting a high-quality air filter. The Honeywell Enviracaire 50250 Air Purifier is a permanent filter that helps remove 99.97% of all airborne particles from the air passing through it, such as tobacco smoke, pollen, household dust, pet dander, and mold spores. The activated carbon pre-filter helps decrease odors. It includes a patented 360 degree air intake and discharge. It consists of three speeds of air cleaning power levels and an Intelli-Check feature that electronically monitors filter usage. This technology is the #1 Choice of Physicians for “Portable Room Air Cleaners Physicians Preference Study” according to the 1998 Riter Research.  The Honeywell Enviracaire Air Filter – 50250 is an affordable air filter for larger areas in room sizes approximately 17 x 22 feet (390 SQ FT). It does not occupy a lot space in any way because the dimension of the purifier is about 16x16x18..

The design of the unit makes it simple to open and detach the filter for vacuuming and/or changing the charcoal filter. When purchasing replacement filters, look for the Honeywell registration. Honeywell filters are made from the best quality materials and specially designed for peak performance. Non-Honeywell brand filters do not offer the same performance! The replacement filters are the 38002 Prefilter HRF-14 HEPA Filter and they, more often than not, come in a three pack for convenience. Filters are simple to locate, and can always be ordered directly from Honeywell. There is an indicator alongside the power/fan speed switch that informs you when it is time to service the filter. The system also comes with a pre-installed activated carbon prefilter and True HEPA permanent filter. This purifier is a real HEPA purifier with a 250 CADR rating (Clean Air Delivery Rating). Because of an aerodynamic capturing mechanism, the filter catches the ordinary airborne allergens like pollen, fine dust and smoke particles. Purifiers marketed as “HEPA-type” are not HEPA and fall short of its requirement.

Overall, this is an extremely good filter for use in 2-3 rooms and the product offers a 5 year limited warranty. Keeping your air fresh and clean all day long it cleans the room’s air up to 5 times per hour. TheHoneywell Enviracaire 50250 Air Purifier is a wise option for your homes and for your families and it works extremely well. Give it a try you will fall in love with this machine!

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Get Rid of Dust Mites Now!

 Health and Safety
Sep 192010
 

The best way to get rid of dust mites is by laundering all bed sheets, blankets, pillowcases and bedcovers in hot water (130 to 140 F). Non-washable bedding can be frozen overnight to kill dust mites. You can place your pillows and some of your children’s stuffed toys in the deep-freeze for about a day to kill dust mites as well. Low levels of humidity and extensive exposure to sunlight will also eliminate dust mites that have plagued your home, but will not remove allergens. There are also natural and synthetic chemicals that kill dust mites.

Allergens in the home hide in many unexpected corners: on stuffed toys, in underwear, and below rugs. Allergens are miniscule and light, perfect for taking wing in the air ducts and vents of your house.

Mattresses are an ideal place for dust mites, bacteria, viruses and spores. Mattress covers and sheets often do not protect against these kind of intruders. Mattresses and box springs should be encased in zippered, dust-proof covers. Mattresses, pillows, carpets and furniture are also great places for dust mites to burrow deep into the fabric enabling them to run away from direct sunlight. Vacuum the carpets and cloth-layered furniture to eliminate as much dust as you can. Vacuuming with tightly sealed units, hygienic filters, and double-thick bags. may help. Vacuum sofas and curtains/drapes once a week. Use washable slip covers and cushions, and wash in 130-degree hot water once a week. Keep pets off of the furniture. Use easy-to-clean flooring. Use blinds and other easy-to-clean window treatments, or wash and dry curtains once a month. Never eat on the floor or on furniture where crumbs can draw in pests. Wear a mask while vacuuming to avoid inhaling allergens, and keep out of the vacuumed area for 20 minutes to enable any dust and allergens to settle after vacuuming.

With a bit of diligence hopefully these tips will keep dust mites out of your home and you can do it yourself!

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Enjoy the Taste of Health in Your Filtered Water

 Eco-Friendly Tips, Health and Safety, Product Reviews
Sep 182010
 

The intention of a house home water purifier is usually to rid our faucet’s drinking water of harmful particles. The reverse osmosis filtration system is used frequently. Water we all make use of comes from waste drinking water and organic sources, so obviously that drinking water should be cleaned before we can utilize it. Before the waste drinking water and also the normal water from all natural resources can be healthy for humans to drink, it needs to go through a purification plant where it’s oxygenated, coagulated, sedimentated, filtrated and disinfected.

The faucet water filter focuses on 2 probable risks posed towards both public health and ecosystems. Its focus on public well being identifies and gets rid of toxins in water to be offered for individual use. They focus on problems with pollutants to healthy ecosystems too, via the purification process, by eliminating pollutants (for example cigarette butts, harmful bacteria coming from algae and numerous parasites). ) (Sidebar — did you know that small quantities of cigarette butts have been found to be lethal to sea creatures?)

A personal sink water filtration attachment could be very easily installed in your home and will get many different pollutants out of your faucet water. These types of underneath kitchen sink water filtration systems are considered improved compared to the traditional purifying process or even on the countertop filters. When using the beneath sink filtration system you will get tasty drinking water in your home and can have peace of mind when using water from your sink for preparing food, pet serving, creating ice and much more.

The kind of water purifier ionizer you will need depends upon the kind of water you have. Water we make use of every day to sip, make meals with, and shower in needs to be nutritious. Scientists have proved how the chemical substances in your drinking water make their way into our bodies and make us ill. Individuals who take in water that was chlorinated possess an increased risk of acquiring cancer, for example.  A house water filtration can assist you to live healthier.  It can also save you money to drink your filtered tap water instead of buying bottle water!

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WiFi Security System: Do You Need It?

 Health and Safety, Product Reviews
Sep 132010
 

With the high success rate of wi-fi security cameras in stopping crimes, do not be surprised if these infants of expertise will be here for a long time. Actually new security digicam models are being installed in at least 50 enterprise establishments and 15 offices across the country. It’s likely that within the time it takes you to discover ways to operate your new wi-fi safety camera, a greater and more superior mannequin is already being made.

Wireless Security Home System technology often entails a battery-operated camera. It doesn’t store recorded images in its internal memory. Instead, it transmits alerts to a receiving gadget which may be positioned as far as up to 500 meters away. Distant monitoring can then be executed by hooking up the receiver to a television. At present, there is a extensive selection of models out there for wireless safety cameras. So, one of your choices is between a battery-operated and an AC-powered one.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Wi-fi Security Digicam
Wi-fi safety cameras have gained a reputation in-home use as a way for monitoring caregivers. These cameras, also known as “nanny cams”, are placed in discreet places across the house. They record the interplay between the caregiver and the child, usually without the caregiver’s knowledge. The purpose of the recording is to catch any signs of maltreatment by the nanny, when mom and dad are away from the home.

Wi-fi security cameras installed in stores, public locations, and crime-susceptible neighborhoods have been very effective in identifying robbers, catching speeding drivers, and considerably reducing crime in many areas.

Home Alarm Wireless System of the Future
Software builders are now hard at work coming up with security models that might be more than simply passive recorders of goings-on in their line of focus. These builders promise an advanced safety digital camera that can truly stop crimes earlier than they occur.

These new wi-fi security cameras will be able to:

1. Determine faces.
A wi-fi security digicam can quickly match key points in an individual’s face and compare it with the data in a database of recorded mug shots or images of people related to prison activities. That is very useful in screening individuals getting into a country.

2. Detect hidden weapons underneath an individual’s cloak or clothing.
The premise for this expertise is that people who are concealing some type of firearm will move differently in comparison with people who are unencumbered.

3. Estimate an individual’s height and weight.
Once more, this is a feature that can come in handy in case an individual may be hiding firearms or a bomb beneath his or her clothing.

4. Detect unattended packages or luggage.
Most bombs are disguised as luggage. It is known modus operandi for terrorists to leave suitcases or other comparable luggage in busy public transport terminals. A kind of wi-fi security digital camera is now being developed to determine such unattended packages in any public area. These wireless security cameras will probably be designed to alert authorities who can then secure the area.

No Compromises to Security
Although there may be controversy surrounding the ethics of using this kind of technology individually as an Alarm Home Security System, the scales are still tipped in favor of placing civilians’ security first. Some states within the United States reached a compromise with critics of wi-fi safety cameras by decreeing that surveillance systems installed in public areas needs to be prominently displayed and visible to all passerbys.

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