Testimonial from the Claims Manager from KW Flooring

Testimonial from the COO of KW Flooring inc, Value Division

Dust Mites and Humidity - What you need to know!

Asthma - Mold and Moisture

The Key to Mold Control is Moisture Control

Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any organic

substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. There are molds

that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation. When excessive

moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will

often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or

unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in

the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled


indoors by controlling moisture indoors.

Molds in the Environment

Molds live in the soil, on plants, and on dead or decaying matter. Outdoors,

molds play a key role in the breakdown of leaves, wood, and other plant

debris. Molds belong to the kingdom Fungi, and unlike plants, they lack

chlorophyll and must survive by digesting plant materials, using plant and

other organic materials for food. Without molds, our environment would be

overwhelmed with large amounts of dead plant matter.

Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce, just as some plants produce seeds.

These mold spores can be found in both indoor and outdoor air, and settled

on indoor and outdoor surfaces. When mold spores land on a damp spot,

they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in

order to survive. Since molds gradually destroy the things they grow on,

you can prevent damage to building materials and furnishings and save

money by eliminating mold growth.

Moisture control is the key to mold control. Molds need both food and water

to survive; since molds can digest most things, water is the factor that limits

mold growth. Molds will often grow in damp or wet areas indoors. Common

sites for indoor mold growth include bathroom tile, basement walls, areas

around windows where moisture condenses, and near leaky water fountains

or sinks. Common sources or causes of water or moisture problems include

roof leaks, deferred maintenance, condensation associated with high

humidity or cold spots in the building, localized flooding due to plumbing

failures or heavy rains, slow leaks in plumbing fixtures, and malfunction or

poor design of humidification systems. Uncontrolled humidity can also be


a source of moisture leading to mold growth, particularly in hot,


humid climates.


Health Effects and Symptoms Associated with Mold Exposure

When moisture problems occur and mold growth results, building occupants

may begin to report odors and a variety of health problems, such as

headaches, breathing difficulties, skin irritation, allergic reactions, and

aggravation of asthma symptoms; all of these symptoms could potentially be

associated with mold exposure.

All molds have the potential to cause health effects. Molds produce

allergens, irritants, and in some cases, toxins that may cause reactions in

humans. The types and severity of symptoms depend, in part, on the types

of mold present, the extent of an individual's exposure, the ages of the

individuals, and their existing sensitivities or allergies.

Specific reactions to mold growth can include the following:

• Allergic Reactions

Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions

in sensitive individuals. Allergic reactions to mold are common - these

reactions can be immediate or delayed. Allergic responses include hay

fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and

skin rash (dermatitis). Mold spores and fragments can produce allergic

reactions in sensitive individuals regardless of whether the mold is

dead or alive. Repeated or single exposure to mold or mold spores

may cause previously non-sensitive individuals to become sensitive.

Repeated exposure has the potential to increase sensitivity.

• Asthma


Molds can trigger asthma attacks in persons who are allergic


(sensitized) to molds. The irritants produced by molds may also


worsen asthma in non-allergic (non-sensitized) people.

• Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis may develop following either short-term

(acute) or long-term (chronic) exposure to molds. The disease

resembles bacterial pneumonia and is uncommon.

• Irritant Effects

Mold exposure can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and

lungs, and sometimes can create a burning sensation in these areas.

• Opportunistic Infections

People with weakened immune systems (i.e., immune-compromised or

immune-suppressed individuals) may be more vulnerable to infections

by molds (as well as more vulnerable than healthy persons to mold

toxins). Aspergillus fumigatus, for example, has been known to infect

the lungs of immune-compromised individuals. These individuals inhale

the mold spores which then start growing in their lungs. Trichoderma

has also been known to infect immune-compromised children.

Healthy individuals are usually not vulnerable to opportunistic

infections from airborne mold exposure. However, molds can cause

common skin diseases, such as athlete's foot, as well as other

infections such as yeast infections.

Prevention

The key to mold control is moisture control. Solve moisture problems


before they become mold problems!

Mold Prevention Tips

• Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the building envelope as soon as

possible.

• Watch for condensation and wet spots. Fix source(s) of moisture

problem(s) as soon as possible.

• Prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing surface


temperature or reducing the moisture level in air (humidity).


To increase surface temperature, insulate or increase air


circulation. To reduce the moisture level in air, repair leaks,


increase ventilation (if outside air is cold and dry), or


dehumidify (if outdoor air is warm and humid).

• Keep heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) drip pans clean,

flowing properly, and unobstructed.

• Vent moisture-generating appliances, such as dryers, to the outside

where possible.

• Maintain low indoor humidity, below 60% relative humidity


(RH), ideally 30-50%, if possible.

• Perform regular building/HVAC inspections and maintenance as

scheduled.

• Clean and dry wet or damp spots within 48 hours.

• Don't let foundations stay wet. Provide drainage and slope

All this information can be found on the EPA's web site.

Asthma and Dust Mites

3 Reasons why Humidity Really Matters

3 Reasons Why Humidity Really Matters



1. THE PROBLEM: SHRINKING, GAPPING, CUPPING AND BUCKLING AND CHECKING HARDWOOD FLOORING. By giving a homeowner a hygrometer and explaining the importance of monitoring their humidity, you can eliminate or reducing hardwood flooring service calls related to humidity issues. The single biggest problem related to hardwood flooring after installation is moisture issues. Either there was too little or too much humidity in the home. By giving a SAVE YOUR FLOOR hygrometer to your customer, they can see for themselves the humidity levels and prevent the problem in the first place.

2. THE PROBLEM: 23 MILLION AMERICANS HAVE ASTHMA AND 20% OF THE POPULATION HAS ALLERGIC RHINITIS (HAY FEVER). In the home, the number 1 trigger for Asthma and Hay Fever attacks is Dust Mites. Dust mites are a microscopic type of insect that lives in bedding, sofas, carpet and any woven material. Dust Mites do not bite and do not cause harm to humans other than triggering Asthma Attacks and Hay Fever. They cannot drink water. The only way they can survive is by absorbing the water through their skin. Scientists have determined that Dust Mites need humidity levels at 55% and greater to survive and thrive. By giving a SAVE YOUR FLOOR hygrometer to your customer, you now enable them to monitor the humidity level in their home and thereby help them to eliminate the problem of Dust Mites and thereby help them create a safer indoor home environment.

3. THE PROBLEM: MOLD AND MOLD SPORES CAN BE FOUND ALMOST ANYWHERE AND THEY CAN GROW ON VIRTUALLY ANY ORGANIC SUBSTANCE AS LONG AS MOISTURE AND OXYGEN ARE PRESENT. There are 4 factors needed for mold growth. Temperature, Light, Moisture/ Humidity and Organic matter. The EPA teach in their mold course that the most important factor influencing mold growth is Moisture/Humidity/Water. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture/humidity problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all molds and mold spores in the indoor environment. HOWEVER, MOLD GROWTH CAN BE CONTROLLED INDOORS BY CONTROLLING MOISTURE/HUMIDITY LEVELS INDOORS. MOLD GROWTH DOES NOT REQUIRE THE PRESENCE OF STANDING WATER; IT CAN OCCUR WHEN THERE IS A HIGH RELATIVE HUMIDITY LEVEL. THE EPA RECOMMENDS KEEPING INDOOR RELATIVE HUMIDITY TO BELOW 60% - IDEALLY BETWEEN 30% AND 50% IF POSSIBLE. By giving a SAVE YOUR FLOOR hygrometer to your customer, you now enable them to monitor the humidity level in their home and thereby help them to eliminate mold issues and create a safer indoor home environment.