Things To Do When You Encounter Mold Problems At Home - KHTS Radio
Things To Do When You Encounter Mold Problems At Home - KHTS Radio |
- Things To Do When You Encounter Mold Problems At Home - KHTS Radio
- Do air purifiers really do what they claim? - Boston.com
- Going green and clean: How to clean the air inside your home - KSAT San Antonio
| Things To Do When You Encounter Mold Problems At Home - KHTS Radio Posted: 04 Mar 2020 09:30 AM PST If you find out you have mold in your home, there are a few things you'll want to do when you first discover the problem. Because mold can be a costly issue to deal with, you need to take care of the problem immediately. Mold can be damaging to your home and spread quickly in wet and damp areas. This can be problematic as it can happen without being seen or detected by an odor, moreover, it can leave you and your family members more susceptible to getting sick. AssessThe first thing you want to do whenever you discover you might have a mold problem is to properly assess the situation. How big is the problem at hand? If it is small enough for you to take care of, you can absolutely treat the problem without worry. If you are encountering mold problems that are too large or have grown out of your control, is too much for you to handle, or simply too time-consuming, you can contact professionals to clean and help treat the area. Protective Wear and Cleaning SuppliesIf you find that the mold problem you discovered in your home is something you want to tackle yourself, that is fine. But you need to make sure you can the right cleaning solutions or material for your job to thoroughly clean the problem and keep you protected as well. You will need the following:
CleaningMake sure you wear all your protective gear when starting your job up until you finish. You don't want to be in direct contact with the mold or spread it through your home. Starting the cleaning process, you want to dampen the affected area with a rag and plain water. By dampening the mold, this will help dry mold from spreading into the air. You should try and remove as much of the mold as possible with a thorough scrubbing and your soap and detergent. For deeper and tougher mold problems, you can use 1½ cups of bleach for every gallon of water in a pail to help with the mold and slow down and stop future mold growth. Scrub and rinse your areas, repeating the process until all the visible mold is gone. Once the mold is cleaned off, you can use your fan or dehumidifier to dry the area. Living in an apartment building or condominium, you may have access to industrial dryers if you reach out to your superintendent. After CleaningAfter you've finished cleaning the mold out of the problem area, it is important to wash your clothes immediately to help prevent the mold spores from filling the air in your home. You can use the plastic garbage bag to help transport your clothes safely and directly to your washing machine. Once there, you can use a cup of vinegar in the wash to help kill the mold in your clothes. PreventionAfter you finish cleaning the affected area, it is important to finish the job with a few steps. Ensure there are no leaks or sources where moisture buildup is frequent. Places around your heating and cooling systems where you might not access frequently should be checked for any leaks or problems. Check pipes or have a plumber investigate your bathrooms and kitchens where mold may be a problem. Inspect your roofs, attics, and ceiling for any damages like cracks where potential leaks can arise. If the area in question is a place where water and moisture buildup occurs often and is unavoidable, like a bathroom, make sure to clean it frequently to help prevent the buildup and spread of mold in the future. Make sure that any ventilation systems are working properly to encourage airflow in these areas. If you are comfortable dealing with mold and the situation is not too large to handle, following these steps should help you with any problem you encounter. If the situation is larger than you can deal with, do not hesitate to call a professional. These experts will have the proper knowledge and access to equipment to effectively deal with exactly this situation. Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or send an email to newstip@hometownstation.com. Don't miss a thing. Get breaking KHTS Santa Clarita News Alerts delivered right to your inbox. Report a typo or error, email Corrections@hometownstation.comKHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita's only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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| Do air purifiers really do what they claim? - Boston.com Posted: 14 Feb 2020 12:00 AM PST  Pat yourself on the back if you've sealed your home for energy efficiency. Keeping drafts out is a money-saving move. The hitch? A tightly sealed home may also trap in pet dander, smoke, dust mites, mold, and other nasties that can trigger respiratory issues.One possible solution: an air purifier. Based on manufacturers' estimates, about one in four US households own a portable indoor air purifier, including those that come as part of a fan, said Perry Santanachote, home editor at Consumer Reports. That's not surprising. As indoor air quality becomes a concern for consumers, manufacturers produce "remedies" for us to buy or, at minimum, buy into. The question is: Is an air purifier worth the investment? "Air purifiers can be an important part of allergen avoidance, but they are not a cure-all," said Manav Singla, an allergist and immunologist affiliated with MedStar Health locations in Maryland. "I don't tell all of my allergy sufferers to go out and get an air purifier, just like I don't tell them to install hardwood floors." The research into efficacy of air purifiers is inconclusive. In 2018, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology analyzed studies of eight interventions believed to help asthma patients, including air purifiers. It found that: "Despite an extensive evidence base spanning several decades, the evidence base as a whole is insufficient to support meaningful conclusions about the effectiveness of many widely used products and strategies for improving patient outcomes by reducing environmental allergen exposure." It also called for better research. A 2010 analysis by the academy concluded that "the principal role of air cleaning and filtration in the living environment for those with allergic respiratory diseases might relate more toward the reduction of disease progression rather than a 'treatment.' " It added that although portable room air cleaners with high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filters appear to be beneficial, especially in bedrooms, for households with forced-air HVAC systems, "regular maintenance schedules and the use of high-efficiency disposable filters appear to be the best choices." Remember, your furnace and/or air conditioner is essentially a whole-house filtration system, and thus may negate the need for an air purifier. The problem is that many homeowners use cheap, thin filters that cost a few bucks and do little to actually filter the air. Plus, most of us forget to change the filter as often as we should. The simple addition of what's called a media cabinet to hold a deeper (up to five inches) disposable filter can greatly increase filtration capabilities. These filters last from eight weeks to six months and are usually less than $35 apiece. If you decide to buy an air purifier, your first decision is whether you need a portable or whole-house model. If you have ductwork and a forced-air system, a whole-house system will work. Homes with radiant heat and no air conditioning will need portable, stand-alone models. Assuming your home has forced air, hire a trained professional to inspect your entire system, including the equipment and ductwork, said Travis Jackson, a home heating, cooling, and air purification expert in Warrenton, Va. "An inspection checks for underlying issues such as unsealed ducts, moldy standing water, dirt, or glue-filled seams emitting vapors. Your system may just need a simple cleaning," he said. Depending on your location and provider, this type of inspection may be free or cost up to $100. Unless you have real cause to believe that the air in your home is making you sick, you don't need an indoor air quality assessment, which is extensive, expensive ($800 to $1,200), and typically unwarranted, Jackson said. Whether you opt for a portable or whole-house purifier, you need to measure the square footage of the space you're trying to treat, whether it's a single room or the entire home. The cost of any unit is dictated by size and efficiency. Here's what else you need to know. Portable air purifiersYou'll find several types. Basic mechanical models use a fan to force air through a filter to remove particles. Those with higher-grade HEPA filters are certified to capture the smallest particles, including dust, smoke, pollen, and pet dander. Electronic air purifiers are designed to create an electric charge so particles stick to metal plates in the machine, which you then carefully wipe off. Some manufacturers combine technologies. Other models include a UV light and claim to kill mold and bacteria, but Consumer Reports has not tested those models, and there's currently no evidence that they do what they claim, Santanachote said. Some purifiers include an activated carbon filter to absorb odors and/or remove gases. While thicker, heavy-duty carbon filters are effective, they are pricey. Thin mesh ones are a waste of money, Santanachote said. Expect to spend at least $200 on a portable unit. Top-rated models that purify large spaces may run up to $700. In addition, replacement filters cost $20 to $200 (a few models come with washable filters), and because experts recommend that you run purifiers 24/7, you'll have to factor in electricity. If there's a floor model available, look inside for a thick filter covering a broad surface. Even better, ask to plug it in. An air purifier, by its nature — basically a fan and a filter — is noisy, especially on higher speeds. If that's a concern, you'll want to hear it for yourself. One workaround is to purchase a purifier rated for a larger space and run it at a lower, quieter speed. Whole-house air purifiersAssuming your home has ducts, a whole-house air cleaner is an easy, quiet, no-fuss option. If you want to go all out, there are units with multiple filters to capture airborne particles, plus an activated carbon filter to remove odors. These cost $2,500 and up, plus installation. Models that include germicidal UV lamp technology to irradiate bacteria and mold spores in the air stream or on the filter cost even more; however, again, research proving they work is lacking. It's also possible to add a UV light system to your HVAC system, but they aren't cheap. There are two types: an object cleaner and an in-duct air purification system. An object cleaner positioned next to the coil of your air conditioner — a dark, damp breeding ground for mold and bacteria — floods the area with UV light and kills off organisms before they can be pulled into your ventilation system. These cost $350 to $800. Replacement bulbs, which average a one- to two-year life span, are $100 to $300. Your second, pricier option is a UV in-duct air purification system. Think of the UV light like the sun's rays. "By putting the 'sun' into your ductwork, the UV lightbulb emits vaporized hydrogen attacking germs, bacteria, mold spores, fungus, and odors as the air cycles through your home," Jackson said. Some models claim to clean countertops and other surfaces, as the treated air is forced out of vents through your home. Depending on your home's square footage and the size of your HVAC system, an in-duct UV system ranges from $800 to $1,500. Bulbs last up to three years and cost $300 to $400. Most units can be installed in less than two hours, and you'll typically be charged a flat rate that includes parts and labor. Although some users swear by UV air scrubbers, Singla points out that UV filtration is of limited value for the average consumer with allergies because allergens are not living tissue like mold. Bottom line: Unless you or someone in your household has severe allergies or is prone to respiratory infections, you may want to just keep your living space as clean as possible and your HVAC unit in tiptop shape before investing in an air purification system. Subscribe to the Globe's free real estate newsletter — our weekly digest on buying, selling, and design — at pages.email.bostonglobe.com/AddressSignUp. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @globehomes.  |
| Going green and clean: How to clean the air inside your home - KSAT San Antonio Posted: 03 Mar 2020 05:16 PM PST :strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/03-04-2020/t_3fc73e7e106742b3a6c48c0999e3f1ec_name_image.jpg) A big trend for 2020 is going green and clean. People are choosing healthier foods and products. But what about the air you breathe inside your home? The Environmental Protection Agency reports indoor air quality can be up to five times more polluted than outside! So, what can be done to clear the air? Laura Browning is a busy mom of two who can't slow down when the family feels rundown. "Kids always seemed to be sick, runny noses," Browning shared. She wanted to make healthier changes but wasn't thinking about the air inside her home. Thad Tarkington, CEO & Co-Founder, Second Nature said, "Recent data from the EPA has found that indoor air is two to five times worse than outdoor air." Tarkington's company delivers air filters right to people's door. He's using a monitor to test the air quality of this home. "There's a big trend in this home wellness, how can I create the environment that I live in and make it a really healthy, sustainable place," continued Tarkington. Cyberbullying and mental health: How is it tied to depression? According to the National Institutes of Health, using a pleated air filter and replacing it every 90 days can remove harmful particles from the air including mold spores, dust and pet dander. "You're going to see about a 64% reduction in infectious, airborne illness," explained Tarkington. Other tips to clear the air? Use cooking oils, like avocado, which have a high smoke point to avoid breathing in toxins. And, take off your shoes! "A recent study by the University of Arizona actually found the average shoes carry nine or ten different bacteria," said Tarkington. Now it's the first thing Laura's kids do when they walk in the door! "Everybody has their own little bin over there and they take off their shoes and put them in the bin," smiled Browning. She also changes her air filter regularly … and says she's seen a big difference especially in her son Marshall. "He has not been sick since he was two, which is crazy!" Browning exclaimed. Proving a little extra effort can go a long way. Another tip: use a vacuum with a Hepa filter to capture those tiny air particles. Also, the EPA says replacing your clogged filter with a new one regularly can lower your energy consumption between five and 15 percent. The home Thad's team tested came back with poor air quality, so changing air filters regularly was recommended. Contributors to this news report include: Janna Ross, Field Producer; Roque Correa, Editor; and Kirk Manson, Videographer. Copyright 2020 by KSAT - All rights reserved.  |
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