Month: August 2016

How and Why to Control Home Humidity

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How and Why to Control Home HumidityIf you’ve read any of our other articles on home protection, mold remediation, and water damage you’ll know that high humidity is mold’s best friend.  Mold, mildew, and fungus all require heavy humidity from rain, standing water, or just steam from a shower or cooking to start replicating and spreading throughout your home.  Water damage can even originate from a high-humidity environment as temperature differences force water to condense on surfaces and stain or erode the surface.

But regulating the humidity in your home is a little more important than just preventing water and mold damage.  Climate, energy efficiency, and health are all affected by the internal humidity of your home.  If you don’t have a smart thermostat that includes one, purchasing a hygrometer to measure relative humidity is a useful tool, especially during the rainy season.,

Temperature and Humidity

Did you know that the weather feels warmer or cooler based on humidity?  The drier the air is, the cooler the room feels.  How cold a room feels can be up to 5 degrees of difference simply by adjusting the relative humidity of the room.

One of the many systems the human body uses to regulate heat is by cooling off through sweat.  Everything on earth is coated with a thin layer of moisture.  Fans help to cool us off by circulating air across skin.  As fresh air moves into contact with a surface, water is evaporated off of that surface using heat energy to shift into the air.  As it does this, heat is taken from the surface.  When the air is dry and humidity is low, water evaporates easily, migrating into the air.  When the air is already saturated with water, and humidity is high, there’s no way for water to evaporate.  In a high humidity environment, everything feels warm and muggy because evaporation is prevented.

This is part of why high humidity makes it so easy for mold and mildew to grow on surfaces.  Water won’t evaporate and there’s plenty of water-rich real estate for mold to move into.  At the same time, now you know why circulating air with a fan helps to mitigate mold and mildew: by aiding evaporation.

In short, keep the air dry in the summer to avoid mold-growth, decrease the relative temperature in your home, and save on cooling costs.

Ideal Humidity

Buying a hygrometer, dehumidifier, and a humidifier are all useful tactics for controlling the humidity of your home.  But what’s the ideal humidity level?  45% is best.  Decreasing humidity will save you money on cooling costs and make it unlikely that you’ll have a problem with mold, but reducing humidity too far will have a negative impact on you as well.  Low humidity will mean added heating costs in the winter and will lead to dry skin, lips, and a possible sore throat when you wake up in the morning.

Pushing humidity to far above 45%, while it will improve heating costs in the winter, increases the risk of mold and mildew growth.  So be cautious when adjusting humidity throughout your home.

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How to Waterproof Your Home

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How to Waterproof Your HomeThe first line of defense when it comes to protecting your home against water damage, mold, mildew, and even some smoke damage is to make sure that your home is waterproof.  We aren’t talking about giving your home an IP68 waterproof rating (a completely sealed home would be difficult to breathe inside).  With all the rain we’ve had recently, it’s a good idea to take a look around your home and find where problems are.

So start by watching your house when it rains.  If you spy a leak or see pooling water somewhere, dry it out and take care of the repair as soon as possible (preferably before the next rain storm).  Then, once you’ve fixed your roof, go through this list and see if there’s anything else you can do to improve your home’s defenses.

Rain Gutter and Roof Repairs

Clogged, damaged, or missing gutters are terrible for your home.  Ideally, gutters will gather all the runoff from your roof and deposit it away from your foundation.  A house with damaged gutters can lead to water pouring onto visitors as they try to step onto your porch or water pooling around the foundation, compounding cracks and damage.

If your gutters are simply clogged with leaves, dirt, or nests made by animals, you’ll end up with the same problem.  Water will backlog and spill over the gutters and down your wall.  Additionally, all that water weight will wear down the restraints for your gutter, eventually pulling it free of the house.

If there is a clog in your gutters or downspouts, try removing it with tongs.  If the clog is too far in to be reached, attempt to flush out the clog with a hose.

Paint and Siding Damage

Paint can erode and wear over time.  If you’ve seen water damage either inside or outside your home, it’s time to fix the exterior sealants of your home.  Inspect all siding for holes caused by wear or pests and seal them up.  When painting the outside of your home, use weather resistant paint that’s designed to withstand UV exposure and use a layer of sealant to protect that paint.  While wall damage is not the most common source of water ingress, it’s still a source and is well-worth the time to repair.

Storm Doors and Windows

Damaged frames, loose weather-stripping, and sticky doors are all signs that it’s time to fix your home.  Sticky doors are usually caused by wood that swells due to higher humidity (or a cracked foundation).  When it comes to water ingress, making sure that your windows and doors are sealed against the weather is essentially.  Check the edges of each, making sure that both the frame and the door or window are making a firm seal.  Examine any weather-stripping to make sure it’s not worn away or damaged, and replace as needed.

Protect your Foundation

Always protect your foundation.  The concrete slab beneath your home needs some water in the surrounding soil to keep it from cracking, but too much water will lead to seepage.  Concrete is mildly porous and when water pools next to your foundation it will, eventually, find a way in.  Make sure that gutters are draining away from your foundation, that the ground is always sloped away from the edge of your home, and that bushes and flowerbeds are far enough from the edge to prevent water from pooling.

You should also take care of cracks in your foundation immediately.  Water will cause more damage if it’s able to enter your foundation and will eventually seep into your home as well.  Repair cracks and have your foundation resealed or lined to prevent future damage.

Test Sump Pumps

Sometimes, heavy weather can get past all of these defenses.  If you have a basement, test your sump pump once a month.  Make sure that it’s working and can handle water flowing into your basement.  That pump is your final line of defense against a flooded home and is your strongest tool to protect your belongings!

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10 Ways to Prevent Water Damage

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10 Ways to Prevent Water DamageRepairing water damage and paying for mold remediation can be expensive, and that’s not accounting for irreplaceable items that are lost due to water damage.  The best way to handle water damage in your home is to stop it before it happens.

Know Where Your Water Shutoffs Are Located

The most important part of owning a home is knowing where the emergency shutoffs are located.  Just like you should know where your circuit breaker is in the event of an emergency, you should be aware of every water shut off valve.  When a pipe breaks or a leak develops, being able to turn off the water is the quickest way to avoid major water damage.

Shut Off Valves While On Vacation

If you’re going away for more than a day, turn off the water in your home.  Set your water heater to vacation mode and shut off the water main.  This will prevent water damage in the event that something breaks while you’re absent.

Repair Leaks Immediately

Don’t delay on repairs to plumbing and pipes.  If you’ve found a leak, shut off the water to that section of the house and call for a plumber immediately.  A small leak will eventually become a big problem if the drip ever widens.  Leaking water can also begin to pool, damaging insulation, wallboard, or ceiling tiles.  Roof leaks are just as bad and should be repaired as soon as possible.

Repair Foundation Damage

Keeping your foundation in one piece is incredibly important.  A cracked foundation can lead to doors that don’t close right and pipes that begin to leak or crack.  Watch your yard when there’s a storm outside and take note of any places where water is pooling up against the side of your house.  That water will eventually find its way into the foundation, causing cracks and leaks that can damage flooring or lead to more serious problems.

Run Water to Clear Garbage Disposal

When you use the garbage disposal in your kitchen sink, be sure to run water through it after you use it to clear out and dislodge anything that may be blocking the drain.  Use warm water to help liquefy any grease you may have accidentally allowed to run into the drain.

Do Not Leave Running Water Unattended

Never leave an open faucet or spigot unattended.  If water is running, you need to be there to make sure that it doesn’t overflow and begin flooding a room.  Even leaving a hose on outside can cause water to pool alongside your home.

Maintain Your Washing Machine Hose

While this hose is usually out of sight and out of mind, it’s best not forgotten.  A large volume of water flows into your washing machine whenever you use it so it’s best to ensure that it’s in good working order.  Inspect it for leaks, wear, and damage regularly to make sure that you don’t end up with a flooded utility closet and dirty clothes.

Follow Appliance Maintenance Procedures

The same thing is true for any water-based appliance.  Water filters, dish washer, refrigerator ice machines and water dispensers all need regular maintenance to make sure they are running properly.  Your HVAC unit requires regular maintenance as well.  Even the appliances that don’t need water can start to condense if they aren’t properly maintained, leading to puddles and drips.

Pre-Rinse Extremely Dirty Clothes

Dirt and mud can clog washing machine drains, leaving you with a soggy mess when you should have clean clothes.  If you’re faced with exceptionally dirty clothes, pre-rinse them first to remove the dirt before washing.

Hire an Established Contractor For Major Problems

Always consult a professional contractor for problems.  Hire a plumber to repair pipes, a roofer to fix the roof, and a mold remediation specialist to clean away mold and repair damage when water has found its way into your home!

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Removing Mold from Clothes

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Removing Mold from ClothesMold survives and thrives when there’s humidity, warmth and food.  Almost nowhere are these three things in as great a supply as in your laundry.  Whether it’s because you left the hamper for too long after tossing in a wet towel, or simply forgot that you’d already run the washing machine, wet clothes are a breeding ground for mold.  But you should never just reach for the bleach when you find mold on your clothes.

Mold grows easily on clothes because clothes are mostly food-ready surface area.  Fabrics that are bundled up in storage or in a laundry hamper are a smorgasbord for rapid mold growth.  The sooner you act, the more likely you are to be able to save the fabric involved.  But bear in mind that most of the time, if the mold is advanced enough in its growth, there’s little that can be done to save mold-infested clothing (whether it’s a favorite shirt or those curtains you’ve had in the garage since your last move).

Cleaning

First, you should always wear a protective mask and gloves when cleaning mold.  Mold spores are airborne and can act as soft-tissue (eye, nose, or lung) irritants and inflame allergies in sufficient quantities.

When cleaning up mold, remove as much of the surface mold as you can.  Brush off loose or encrusted mold from the fabric.  Be sure to take care of this step outside to prevent spreading mold in your home or through your ventilation system. Since you should already be outside, hang up or lay out the clothing in the sun.  Ultraviolet light is devastating to organic life and will both kill and dry out mold.

When you’re ready to wash, pre-soak the fabric in cold water and wash with hot water and detergent.  Do not wash moldy clothes with other clothes.  Always finish by drying the clothing in the sun rather than an electric dryer.

If, after you’ve finished cleaning the fabric thoroughly, there is still a mold-stain present, then sponge at it with bleach diluted with water.  Lemon juice and a salt solution will also work as a bleach substitute, and is less harsh than bleach in many cases.

Vinegar – the Miracle Cleaner

Vinegar is useful for cleaning in many circumstances.  In fact, it’s often the best solution and is less likely to cause as much damage as harsher chemicals.  If you’re having issues with mold, stains, and smells, run a pre-soaked load of laundry with warm water and ¾ of a cup of white vinegar.  The vinegar will clear away the smell and, with enough washing, will kill and remove the mold as well.  Just be sure to wash once again with detergent and then air-dry the clothing before returning it to the rack, drawer, or box it was stored in initially.

One final alternative is to use a mildicide to clean up the mold.  Be cautious when choosing to use this method and always follow the listed instructions exactly.  Because of the harsh chemicals involved, failing to follow directions can lead to injury or damaged fabrics and clothing.

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