On the Wire - Ah-Choo!
Spring and allergy season are in the air, but outdoor conditions may not be the only reasons you’re sniffling and sneezing. The EPA has named indoor air pollution as one of the top five environmental risks to public health, and also reports that indoor air can be up to 100 times more polluted than the air outside. Along with the comforts it offers you and your family, your home can be a safe harbor and breeding ground for allergens and other air quality threats. But with a little extra care in everyday routines and the planning of home improvements, you can make a great difference in your abode’s year-round air quality.
Home improvements
• Plan home improvements for temperate seasons of the year, when work and installation areas may be easily and comfortably ventilated.
• When shopping for building materials, look for green options that have little or no off-gassing of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). There are also products that can prevent later development of air quality issues, such as paperless drywall that resists molds.
• Whatever the content of the materials and furnishings you choose, plan on airing them out for a few days before bringing them inside.
• If you’re planning on upgrading your home’s carpeting, ask the dealer to unroll and air out the new carpet for at least one day before it comes home. To cut down on dust during removal of the old carpet, vacuum it well before the installation crew arrives.
• Consider installing a central vacuum system, highly recommended by allergists since the main air flow is typically exhausted outside the house, preventing the re-circulation of fine dust and allergens. Systems vented inside the home provide exceptionally high filtration, meeting all HEPA and ULPA specifications.
• Augment your home’s HVAC system with a whole-house air cleaner and humidifier; the former traps and kills allergens and dangerous bacteria, and the latter maintains an environment beneficial to both your home’s structure and inhabitants.
Everyday living
• Declare your home smoke-free.
• If you have pets, keep them out of living areas and bedrooms.
Check cleaning products for toxic ingredients, and switch to nontoxic, nonaerosol replacements.
• Trap dust and other air particles by vacuuming frequently with a unit incorporating a HEPA filter.
• Check and change HVAC air filters regularly.
Keep all fuel-burning appliances in good order to eliminate carbon dioxide buildup, and install a carbon monoxide detector.
• Turn on the fan─in your bathroom remove water vapor, and over the kitchen stove to pull away harmful gases.
• Clear away clutter, and do your best to minimize the quantity of fabric surfaces in your home; both are magnets for dust.
• Air out dry-cleaned clothing before hanging it in your closet.
• For further air quality assurance, purchase one of the many inexpensive and easy-to-use testing kits or monitors which can measure for radon, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, water vapor and more.
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Ask Tom & Leslie - Mold Threat
This week’s question comes to us from Tony: “My wife and I are in dire need of your advice on how to properly remediate a mold problem in our home. In short, coffee colored blotches began appearing and spreading in our four-year-old son's bedroom ceiling approximately four months ago. Concerned that there was moisture and possibly mold permeating from the attic above, we called in several mold remediation companies and were informed that we did indeed have mold growing on the drywall, insulation and wood above our son's room. However, each contractor suggested a different method/product (ammonia vs. hydrogen peroxide vs. biocide) to kill the mold. Costs also ranged from $3,000 to $7,000. Confused by the conflicting information we received, we called in an independent mold "inspector" to assess the situation and provide expert advisement. For $900, the mold inspector visually inspected the attic and performed both swab and air quality tests. The swab tests were sent to a laboratory and confirmed that that there were 2 types of mold growing (green and white -- Cladosporium and penicillium) and the air quality tests (attic and son's bedroom) came back extremely poor. The inspector recommended a mold remediation contractor who again provided conflicting information on how to fix the problem. We are very concerned about the health of our family and want to properly remediate the situation as soon as possible. Your advice on this situation would be much appreciated.
Tony, this is potentially a serious problem due to the effect it could have on your son’s health. For some tips on this exact situation, I turned to my trusted friend Jeff May, author on several books on mold and mold remediation, including "My House is Killing Me". Jeff warns that more ventilation alone will not solve this problem. You could spend thousands on remediation and unless the SOURCE of moisture is eliminated, the problem will reoccur. So your first job is to figure out how moist air is infiltrating the attic. The most common sources of moist house air are bathrooms and dryers that are venting into the attic (or soffit), air leaks around attic hatches and pull-down stairs, and air leakage from recessed fixtures. Leaky duct work in an attic can also be a source of moisture, especially if you use a humidifier on your hot air furnace. Is the sheathing all black and moldy? Then you have a bigger job. All the sheathing has to be remediated. If you have an older shingle roof, the cheapest approach is to have all the roofing and sheathing replaced. At the same time you can have insulation removed and replaced, and the moldy ceiling drywall removed and replaced. This is not really a mold remediation. Jeff also warned that if there is mold on the bedroom ceiling, your son should not be sleeping there. Take everything out of the room and clean all dust from the items. Surprisingly, Jeff and I worked on a home that had a very similar situation for a television show I was involved with. It turned out that the insulation was full of Aspergillus mold and had to be completely removed, all the framing cleaned and replaced. I hope this is of help and good luck with the project. For more information, see The Money Pit's Mold Resource Guide .
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Got A Question About Your Money Pit?
You can do-it-yourself but you don't have to do-it-alone. Getting in touch with us is as easy as 1 - 2 or 3!
- The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.moneypit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
- Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. We’ll get back to you with the answer – or even call you back during the show!
- Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.
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On the Air - April Showers
Are you worried that April showers will bring more than just May flowers at YOUR house? Are you concerned about all that rain bringing you LEAKS? We’ll tell you where your home is most Are you worried that April showers will bring more than just May flowers at YOUR house? Are you concerned about all that rain bringing you LEAKS? We’ll tell you where your home is most vulnerable and how to prevent water infiltration this weekend on The Money Pit radio show. To find out where we broadcast in your area, click here. You can also learn how to download our FREE Podcast!
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Dot Common Sense - Comfort Zone
When people purchase their first house, a lot of thought and planning usually goes into it. The same is true when you prepare your home for the arrival of a new baby or when you have young children growing up. Thought and advance planning should also be done to make changes that will benefit everyone. Here are some tips to help you do just that from the folks at AARP.
In the kitchen: Install easy-to-grasp C-or D-shaped cabinet door and drawer handles. These are easy to grab, especially if you have your hands full with a baby or groceries. Also, place an A-B-C rated fire extinguisher within easy reach of the stove. A-B-C means the extinguisher will work for all sorts of fires, including those from grease. Next, install lever handle faucets with built-in anti-scald protection on the sink.
For staircases: Make sure handrails are installed on BOTH sides and put non-slip reflective or contrasting tape on edge of the stair tread. The stairs also need to be well lit, with lights at both the top and the bottom. A few changes like these can keep your home safe and comfortable for years to come. For more info, go to www.AARP.com/homedesign.
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Fun Fact - Planting Seeds
Ready to plant the garden of your dreams? Here’s dirt on where to start. Your flower garden can be a bloom or a bust – so keep these things in mind…Seeds are less expensive, but it can take several seasons for perennials to reach their potential. Transplants cost more, but provide instant results. If you choose transplants, space plants at least a foot apart so they can stretch out as they grow.
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Short Cuts - How Does Your Garden Grow?
It’s probably finally starting to feel warm enough to really feel spring-like where you are… so take this time to get your yard ready. If you have placed mulch on your flower beds to help protect the beds from old man winter, now is a great time to gradually start removing the old mulch to allow the warmth to reach the soil. If you live in warmer parts of the country where the mulch is continually there to provide moisture, start to refresh the upper layers to keep the beds thriving. Be sure to trim back any winter shrubs or plant growth to prepare and make room for the burst of growth that is about to happen.
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Copyright 2007 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.
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