December 31st, 2008 — Basement, Handy Man, House Damage, Install, Mold, ventilation
With black and other forms of mold becoming an enormous problem for Americans, it has never been more important to make sure that your home is not a breeding ground. Mold is very harmful, and black mold in particular can be deadly. No one wants to go around breathing spores all day long, so finding ways to reduce your risk of having mold in your home is very important.
One of the biggest offenders when it comes to mold growth is the basement. Even if you have a finished basement, there are still risks for having excess moisture down there, and as such, the potential for mold. Dirt basements and under home crawlspaces should not be overlooked. Standing water can be a big problem with this type of basement, and you may never even know it is there.
So, what can you do to make sure that you’re not living over a health hazard? First, you will need to determine whether or not you have any damp areas in your basement. The best time to look is right after a rain storm. Go down to the basement and start feeling the walls, stopping every foot and a half or so to check. Don’t just rely on your visual skills, since there may only be slight dampness.
If you feel any sort of water, condensation or you can actually see puddles or water stains, the time to take action is right now. Most homes that are in a flood plain or very wet area come with sump pumps, but this won’t help much for a simple damp area. The first place to start is ventilation.
Proper ventilation reduces condensation and helps water evaporate properly. If you don’t have a big problem with dampness but you do notice a few areas that could use some help, this may be the issue. Consider installing a ventilation system into your basement to solve this problem.
Next, if the area is not bad or if you cannot locate the source of the leak, installing a dehumidifier can be a great and easy fix. Some homes now have whole house dehumidifiers, but even a simple unit can do the trick. Make sure that you place the dehumidifier away from a source the water to avoid electrocution and check to make sure the unit is rated for your space.
If all of this fails, you may need to seal the walls of your basement. Check with a contractor before you start this and make sure that you read the directions carefully before proceeding. While this isn’t the perfect fix, it may be the only solution for chronically damp basements. Typically, using a mix of these techniques is very beneficial and will dramatically reduce the humidity and dampness of your basement.
You may also want to have an air quality test done in your basement if dampness has been a problem for more than a few months. These tests will help determine if mold is already present in your basement.
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Originally posted 2008-09-03 05:25:23. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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November 27th, 2008 — Clean, Handy Man, Mold, Safety
Mold is a serious problem for many homes, especially those in humid climates. However, some areas of your home are going to be more likely to have mold, even if you live in the middle of a dry desert. Here are some tips on how to make sure that you don’t get mold, and how to handle it if it is already a problem.
There are numerous kinds of mold that can attack a house. Most are non-lethal, but black mold is a whole other story. This is a pernicious mold that not only destroys your home, but it can also destroy your health. If you are worried that you have black mold in your home, do not attempt to remove it on your own. Doing so will only loosen the spores which can cause more health problems. Always contact a professional to handle this kind of job. Black mold is so bad that in some cases the only way to get rid of it is to burn the entire structure.
But let’s talk about your average, everyday, non-lethal mold. There are some spots in your home that are going to be more likely to get it – usually the spots where there is a lot of water. Bathrooms, under the kitchen sink or anywhere that you might have a leak. Mold can even be a problem outside in some cases. We’ve had homeowners report mold appearing in dog water bowls and on other surfaces outside the home.
In order to prevent mold, you’ve got to make sure that the environment is not conducive to its growth. Mold needs moist and humid temperatures to thrive. In the case of the bathroom, this means installing a proper ventilation fan and keeping doors open after your shower. Your goal is to dry out any moist areas as quickly as possible before the mold has a chance to grow.
If you’re already dealing with mold, you’re going to need to remove it quickly. Even though it may not be as deadly as black mold, regular mold can be a health concern. You’re going to need to get some hot, soapy water, preferably filled with an antibacterial cleaner. It’s a good idea to wear a mask during the cleaning process just in case. Thoroughly wipe the area down that is affected with mold and then dry it off. It is important to make sure that it is completely dry or you’ll end up with the same problem again.
Phones and other places that can harbor mold can be cleaned easily by using a solution of water and mouthwash. This is very effective, especially with the stronger ones that are formulated to kill bacteria. Dip a rag in the solution and thoroughly wipe, then dry the surface. This should kill the mold and prevent its reoccurrence.
With careful management, mold doesn’t have to be a factor in your home. Just remember – keep it dry and keep it cool.
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September 26th, 2008 — Bathroom, Book Review, Toilet, plumbing
Our bathrooms are used every day, and as such, they are usually one of the first places that trouble strikes. Whether you’ve ended up standing ankle deep in water at 3am, or you just want to find some ways to save money on plumbing costs, this is the ideal book to have in your home library. Handling basic tasks of repair for bathrooms is actually pretty easy and this book could help you save hundreds of dollars over time. If you are planning on adding or renovating your bathroom any time soon, this book is vital.
The first section deals with how to plan out your bathroom properly and how to avoid common errors that trip up the best of us. Everything is laid out in a very easy to understand fashion and there are some great illustrations and photographs throughout the entire book that explain the steps further. This section is quite comprehensive and deals not only with fixtures, tubs and sinks, but also proper ventilation. By following the advice in this chapter, you can save yourself the trouble of dealing with mold and mildew as well as other common bathroom problems.
The section on Roughing In Bathrooms is perfect for those that will be tearing out old fixtures and replacing them. You’ll learn exactly how to remove a toilet or even a tub on your own, as well as some great safety tips and more. We got a lot out of this section, particularly when it came to removing showers and prepping the space for a new unit. This can be pretty difficult especially if you have never worked with bathrooms in the past.
Read the chapter on Permits and Regulations if you need nothing else in this section. This chapter alone will save you the expense of being out of code and help you pass a new inspection. Not many people realize that they may need to get a permit to install a new bathroom and they end up paying hefty fines as a result. This advice will get you completely prepared for all that you need to do before you begin the process of remodeling or adding a bathroom to your home.
The last section contains project ideas and tips for remodeling bathrooms. The pictures here are very descriptive and we found that the plans were very easy to put to use. The chapter on floor warming systems was very interesting and covered some great techniques to ensure that you get this job done right. If you have ever had to rip up a floor after installing a floor heating system the wrong way, this chapter more than pays for the book itself.
We can’t say enough nice things about this book, and although it may be a little complicated in spots for the average do it yourselfer, reading some sections more than once usually helps bring everything into focus. We think this is the perfect addition to any DIY home library.
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September 24th, 2008 — Doors, Handy Man, Low Budget, Tile, ceiling, insulation
Whether you live by a busy road, you just had a new baby or your children have discovered the wonders of musical instruments, soundproofing a room has many benefits. Commonly, bedrooms are the rooms where soundproofing brings the most benefit, but literally any room can be soundproofed. It’s easier than you might think and most people can accomplish this in a weekend or two. Here are some tips to get you started.
The first area to tackle is the doors of a room. These can actually be a big part of sound problems and simply replacing one door may solve the entire issue. We highly recommend doing this first, before advancing to the next steps. In many cases, you may be able to get the noise level down to the point where no further soundproofing is necessary.
A soundproof door is a little more expensive, but it is much more durable than the typical hollow core doors that are used for interiors. Many soundproof doors will also come with rubber gaskets that create a seal when closed. However, these should only be used if a room already has proper ventilation. Simply getting a well made door that does not have a hollow core can greatly reduce the amount of noise pollution in any room.
If that still doesn’t work, there are a few more options that you can try. The first, and least permanent, is to purchase soundproofing panels. These are panels that can be attached to any wall and will hang much like large pictures. This is a great solution if you don’t want to completely redo your walls and you plan on moving at a later date. They can easily be removed, but still provide a significant reduction in noise.
These panels can be purchased at any hardware store, or you can also find online stores that stock them. They are easy to hang and most will come with brackets that make installation a breeze. You may even be able to paint them to match a room, but most will come in a solid white color.
For a more permanent solution to noise reduction, blow in insulation can be used. Basically, you are adding more insulation inside your walls, where the framing is. Be advised that this can be very expensive and you may get stuck with unsightly holes. However, if you are desperate for soundproofing, this may be the best solution. For older homes, it may be necessary to completely re-insulate exterior walls to cut down on outside noise levels.
For rooms that have issues with sound coming from above, there are special ceiling tiles that can be installed. This is a great solution that does not require a lot of effort. Most tiles are two feet by two feet, so you will not need to purchase that many, unless you have a very large room. Other quick solutions to reduce noise include hanging pictures, adding carpeting and fabric wall hangings that can absorb more sound.
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