How to Prevent Mold in Bathrooms

Image: leap-va.org/mold

Mold and mildew are not just ugly to look at, but can be very dangerous. Both can aggravate asthma or allergies, and can cause eye irritation, coughing, congestion, skin rash and even infections. More extreme reactions include severe headaches, dizziness, nose bleeds, vomiting, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms and liver damage. There are, however, a number of preventative measures you can take to keep mold from becoming a problem.

What Is An Energy Recovery Ventilator?

Energy Recovery Ventilator.
Photo courtesy of RenewAire

In a home with a tight "envelope," or well-insulated walls, windows and doors, an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) can help to reduce energy use and improve indoor air quality.

Duane Amundson, an energy savings consultant, wrote an article for Greenspiration Home that describes the function of an ERV and discusses the benefits of using one:

"An ERV exhausts stale air with its fan, and brings the same volume of fresh air back in. A built-in heat exchanger allows the fresh air to be semi-conditioned by the exhaust air, so that you aren’t just tossing out air you’ve already paid to heat or cool." Read the full article here.

Using a unique peer-to-peer approach, Greenspiration Home is an online publication dedicated to educating homeowners about building, renovating, and decorating green. 

Compact Fluorescent (CFL) Bulb Styles

The original spiral is
still the most popular

We all know the cost- and energy-saving benefits of CFLs, and advancements in technology have resulted in warmer, softer light. But that spiral...it doesn't look good in every fixture! Did you know that there are many different styles of CFL bulbs, including some that work with dimmer switches and three-way sockets?

In addition to the original (and admittedly still popular) spiral, there are A-shaped bulbs that mimic the look of the traditional incandescent, and round globe lights (often seen in vanity lighting and ceiling pendants). Candle and tubular styles work well in decorative fixtures and wall sconces, while larger post bulbs are typically designed for outdoor use. The globe surrounding these styles also makes them easier to clean than the traditional spiral.

Reflector bulbs are perfect for
recessed fixtures

Reflector bulbs, with a narrow base and a wide, funnel-shaped body, are designed for recessed light fixtures. Available in both indoor and outdoor styles, the outdoor bulbs are typically larger due to the weatherproofing needed to protect them from the elements. One thing to keep in mind; outdoor bulbs should not be used in lights with motion sensors, photocells or timers, as these applications can shorten the life of the bulbs.

Is it Time to Remodel, or Refresh?

A beautiful kitchen with plenty of light

Does this sound like your kitchen? The appliances are old, the countertops are stained and the floor is worn through in spots. Sounds like it's time to remodel! A great first question to ask yourself is; do we need to remodel, or just "refresh?" Determining your needs, budget and style can help answer that question.

Needs. Does your current kitchen work the way you need it to? Is there enough storage, and is it convenient? How about counter space and prep areas? How is the traffic flow? Do doors open out into the walkway, or are you constantly walking around the island to get from one appliance to another? What about lighting, seating and display areas?

What Is a Home Energy Audit?

It would be great if our homes came with an Energy Monitor
like the one on this Toyota Prius! From Flikr

If you've recently moved into a new home, or have noticed a sudden spike in your current home's utility bills, it may be time for a home energy audit. (Also called an assessment.) This in-depth test can help you pinpoint areas in your home that need to be upgraded, repaired or replaced.


Before the Energy Audit

You may have already noticed a gap in the weatherstrip around the front door, or windows with increased condensation. Ask family members if they've noticed any drafts, or rooms that always seem to be a different temperature from the rest of the house. Have copies of utility bills for the past year, or ask your utility to provide a summary. All of this information will help the auditor zero in on problem areas.

Underlayment - A Pond "Do"

When you consider that a pond liner will have tens of thousands of pounds of pressure pushing it into the soil below, it makes sense to put some sort of cushion underneath it. Commercial underlayment material has been designed for this purpose, and – for a variety of reasons – we won't use anything else.

1. The dense, tightly woven synthetic matting protects the rubber liner from tears and punctures caused by tree roots, rocks and other sharp objects. The tight weave can also keep moles and other burrowing critters from tearing your liner. A torn liner can be a very messy, time-consuming and expensive repair!

2. Underlayment is fairly thin and quite flexible, so it molds easily to the shape of the pond, waterfall and stream. Excess underlayment folds easily without adding bulk, so there is no need to cut and piece it in the pond (pieces can shift and leave an area of liner unprotected).

3. Most ponds utilize rubber pond liner from Firestone, and using any other material – or none at all – will void the liner warranty.

4. Because the material is synthetic, it will not rot or disintegrate over time. We have fixed leaks in ponds that had old carpet pad, carpet remnants, canvas tarps and even newspaper under the liner. Over time these materials turned into clumps of rotted garbage and failed to protect the liner from sharp objects.

Help! I Think I Have a Leaky Pond!

WHERE DID THE WATER GO?

In any system with water, pipes, liners and rocks, leaks can – and do – develop.  Finding those leaks can be tricky, but there are some steps you can take to help narrow down the problem area.