Monday, March 21, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Asthma - Mold and Moisture
All this information can be found on the EPA's web site.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
Sunday, February 27, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Hygrometro recomendaciones/uso/importancia
Hygrometro recomendaciones/uso/importancia
Alguna vez se ha preguntado cual seria la importancia de este instrumento?. Que ganancia le representaria o solo seria una herramienta mas en su lista de gastos?.
Les tengo mejores noticias. Este instrumento casi deconocido por muchos contratistas que trabajan con pavimentos de madera, se ha convertido en una herramienta escencial que le evitara llamadas de reclamos en sus trabajos de instalación.Este instrumento le dara mayor confiabilidad a su clientela y demostrara su profesionalismo. Como hemos podido notar durante la última decada se ha experimentado severos cambios climatológicos. Las fluxtuaciones de temperatura y humedad relativa en diferentes regiones y continentes han sido incontrolables, obligandonos a considerar cambios en nuestras practicas de trabajo. Le recomendamos se mantengan actualizados con el clima visitando las siguientes paginas virtuales www.weather.gov o www.wunderground.com. Como ya lo conocemos la madera es un producto hygroscopico que siempre se adapta a su medio ambiente y busca llegar a su punto de equilibrio (EMC) lo cual se relaciona con la temperatura y humedad relativa del ambiente habitacional. El Hygrometro mediante un sensor interno mostrara los valores de temperatura y humedad ayudandole a tomar una decision eficaz para sus practicas de instalación.Ud podra encontrar mas informacion técnica de este producto www.saveyourfloor.com
Recuerde que una instalacion correcta no solo dependera del contenido de humedad de la madera (MC) o de las condiciones ambientales habitables durante el proceso de instalación. Tambien estara relacionado con los cambios ambientales durante las diferentes estaciones del año que varian en temperatura y humedad relativa dentro de la edificacion. Estos cambios permiten que la madera aumente o pierda su contenido de humedad durante estos cambios estacionales. Estos cambios pueden suceder en el lugar habitacional aun cuando los ocupantes hubieran controlado las condiciones ambientales habitables.
Por ejemplo, si Ud realizó una instalación durante tiempo de alta humedad relativa, la madera perdera humedad durante las epocas de baja humedad relativa, por lo que se recomienda que instale el piso con mayor ajuste para minimizar que las tablas se separen durante epoca de baja humedad relativa. Contrariamente si la instalacion es efectuada durante epocas de baja humedad relativa, la madera aumentara su contenido de humedad en epocas de alta humedad relativa y se expandera, para estos casos se recomienda utilizar espaciadores durante la instalacion, este espacio dependera de los cambios en el contenido de humedad de la madera. asi como de los cambios de coeficiente dimencional por su ancho de la especie que se instale.
Coeficiente Dimencional
El calculo esta relacionado con la especie de madera, cada una de ellas mantienen diferentes valores de cambios de coeficiente dimencional por lo que esto indica que cada madera tiene diferente rango de estabilidad dimensional. Por esta razon algunas especies son mas subceptibles que otras de expandirse o contraerse. La NWFA tiene en su pagina virtual una publicacion referencial sobre los valores de cambios dimencionales por especie de madera. www.nwfa.org
La formula de calculo de coeficiente dimensional es.
valor de coeficiente dimencional x cambio de contenido de humedad x ancho de la madera
ejemplo .00369 x 3% x 5" = .055"
Home | About Us | Services | Contact Us | Registracion | Noticias | Hygrometro
EcoFloors Consulting
tech@ecofloorsconsulting.com
(702) 940-6793
Mexico: (55) 85259363
Spain: (93) 8021368
Peru: (511) 7086990
Alguna vez se ha preguntado cual seria la importancia de este instrumento?. Que ganancia le representaria o solo seria una herramienta mas en su lista de gastos?.
Les tengo mejores noticias. Este instrumento casi deconocido por muchos contratistas que trabajan con pavimentos de madera, se ha convertido en una herramienta escencial que le evitara llamadas de reclamos en sus trabajos de instalación.Este instrumento le dara mayor confiabilidad a su clientela y demostrara su profesionalismo. Como hemos podido notar durante la última decada se ha experimentado severos cambios climatológicos. Las fluxtuaciones de temperatura y humedad relativa en diferentes regiones y continentes han sido incontrolables, obligandonos a considerar cambios en nuestras practicas de trabajo. Le recomendamos se mantengan actualizados con el clima visitando las siguientes paginas virtuales www.weather.gov o www.wunderground.com. Como ya lo conocemos la madera es un producto hygroscopico que siempre se adapta a su medio ambiente y busca llegar a su punto de equilibrio (EMC) lo cual se relaciona con la temperatura y humedad relativa del ambiente habitacional. El Hygrometro mediante un sensor interno mostrara los valores de temperatura y humedad ayudandole a tomar una decision eficaz para sus practicas de instalación.Ud podra encontrar mas informacion técnica de este producto www.saveyourfloor.com
Recuerde que una instalacion correcta no solo dependera del contenido de humedad de la madera (MC) o de las condiciones ambientales habitables durante el proceso de instalación. Tambien estara relacionado con los cambios ambientales durante las diferentes estaciones del año que varian en temperatura y humedad relativa dentro de la edificacion. Estos cambios permiten que la madera aumente o pierda su contenido de humedad durante estos cambios estacionales. Estos cambios pueden suceder en el lugar habitacional aun cuando los ocupantes hubieran controlado las condiciones ambientales habitables.
Por ejemplo, si Ud realizó una instalación durante tiempo de alta humedad relativa, la madera perdera humedad durante las epocas de baja humedad relativa, por lo que se recomienda que instale el piso con mayor ajuste para minimizar que las tablas se separen durante epoca de baja humedad relativa. Contrariamente si la instalacion es efectuada durante epocas de baja humedad relativa, la madera aumentara su contenido de humedad en epocas de alta humedad relativa y se expandera, para estos casos se recomienda utilizar espaciadores durante la instalacion, este espacio dependera de los cambios en el contenido de humedad de la madera. asi como de los cambios de coeficiente dimencional por su ancho de la especie que se instale.
Coeficiente Dimencional
El calculo esta relacionado con la especie de madera, cada una de ellas mantienen diferentes valores de cambios de coeficiente dimencional por lo que esto indica que cada madera tiene diferente rango de estabilidad dimensional. Por esta razon algunas especies son mas subceptibles que otras de expandirse o contraerse. La NWFA tiene en su pagina virtual una publicacion referencial sobre los valores de cambios dimencionales por especie de madera. www.nwfa.org
La formula de calculo de coeficiente dimensional es.
valor de coeficiente dimencional x cambio de contenido de humedad x ancho de la madera
ejemplo .00369 x 3% x 5" = .055"
Home | About Us | Services | Contact Us | Registracion | Noticias | Hygrometro
EcoFloors Consulting
tech@ecofloorsconsulting.com
(702) 940-6793
Mexico: (55) 85259363
Spain: (93) 8021368
Peru: (511) 7086990
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Testimonial from Debbie Monetti, Owner, Mount Vernon Carpet One
"We have found David Bain’s products and services to be very useful. We give out hygrometers with each of our hardwood sales. This gives us peace of mind and we have found our customers to be extremely appreciative of our commitment to their flooring investment.
David has a real love for this industry which he consistently exhibits in his unyielding passion to serve his customers in any way possible. I would recommend David and “Save Your Floor” products to anyone looking to protect and grow their hardwood sales."
Debbie Monetti
Mount Vernon Carpet One Floor & Home
David has a real love for this industry which he consistently exhibits in his unyielding passion to serve his customers in any way possible. I would recommend David and “Save Your Floor” products to anyone looking to protect and grow their hardwood sales."
Debbie Monetti
Mount Vernon Carpet One Floor & Home
Testimonial from Mark Cronkhite, Sales Manager, Maritime Carpet One
They are perfect David! Thanks for providing us with such a great tool for our customers. I will be sure to pass your contact info to other Carpet One dealers as well.
Thanks again for the great service too.
I would like to add that your pricing is excellent, especially with the shipping included in the purchase price. These units are a great way to inform your customer on what the proper humidity range should be in their home and whether they need to use a humidifier/dehumidifier to ensure their new floor performs as it should. We will be including one of your units with every hardwood/laminate purchase that our store installs. Thanks again,"
Mark Cronkhite
Maritime Carpet One
Thanks again for the great service too.
I would like to add that your pricing is excellent, especially with the shipping included in the purchase price. These units are a great way to inform your customer on what the proper humidity range should be in their home and whether they need to use a humidifier/dehumidifier to ensure their new floor performs as it should. We will be including one of your units with every hardwood/laminate purchase that our store installs. Thanks again,"
Mark Cronkhite
Maritime Carpet One
Testimonial from Matt Wagner, President of Bob Wagner's Flooring America in Pennsylvania
" I think these hygrometers are a terrific tool to help in educating customers (and salespeople) on the need to maintain relative humidity in their home. Everyone talks about temperature but rarely talk about RH. We hand these out to every wood customer and I believe we'll recover the cost in preventing wood claims very quickly."
-Matt Wagner
President, Bob Wagner's Flooring America
-Matt Wagner
President, Bob Wagner's Flooring America
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)