mold

Staying Healthy begins with Home Air Testing

Posted on by EnvDoc Writer

Do you know the quality of your indoor air using home air testing? Whether it’s your home or office, air quality can make all the difference for you and your family. According to the EPA, indoor air quality can pose as a higher health risk than outside air pollution. Prior tests have shown that pollutants can be up to 100 times higher indoors in comparison to outdoor levels. You may be asking yourself, why or how is this possible?

Staying Healthy begins with Home Air Testing

home air testingThere are lots of variables as to why your indoor air may be lacking in quality. Mold, formaldehyde, fire-retardants, radon and lead found in dust are some of the key factors that lead to poor air quality. Other factors include pollutants found in furniture, bed mattresses included, new or old paint, pet dander and carpet cleaning products. Can your house make you sick? It definitely can. Side effects of poor air quality in your home include: coughing and sneezing, dry or irritated eyes, nose, throat and skin, headaches, fatigue, sensitivity to allergies, sinus congestion, etc. It crucial to keep track of these symptoms but also be mindful of seasonal changes which can help guide you through minimal steps such as reducing humidity or increasing ventilation to sustain good air quality in your home.

Home air testing is the quickest way to answer any questions in regards to your home or office air quality. After having an air test done and having resolved any issues, there are plenty of other ways to sustain great home air quality. Some of these include: door mats since people bring in all sorts of dirt and pollutants under their shoes, mopping with just water can help pick up dust left behind from sweeping, using a HEPA filter with your vacuum ensures the dust gets trapped, dusting with microfiber cloths captures more dust than traditional ones, dehumidifiers and air conditioners helps reduce moisture and reduce allergens.

What can we do to lessen air pollutants in our home? We suggest you find the cause of the irritant in your home first. Whether it’s mold, radon, carbon monoxide, lead paint, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or a blocked air filtration system, you may be able to eliminate the irritant or dilute the pollutant to less hazardous levels. Common VOC’s found in homes includes: acetone, benzene, butanol, carbon disulfide, dichlorobenzene, ethanol, formaldehyde, terpenes, toluene, and xylene. Home air testing kits are super popular in this day and age and are available for purchase online. But buyers beware as they may not accurately produce results and cost about $100 each.

The Insidious Game of Molds

Posted on by Dan Dreifort

Mold, Illustrated via Game of Thrones

Homeowners that happen to be fans of the popular television series “A Game of Thrones”, or the book series by George R.R. Martin that spawned it, may already notice similarities between that series’ oft villainous Lannister family and mold. Mold is a particularly insidious organism, and seems to thrive in hostile, or at least uncomfortable, environments, and the same could be said of the Lannister’s penchant for surviving in the harsh setting of Westeros. With that in mind, someone has re-imagined the iconic opening of the television show, with mold growing

Perhaps you’ve seen a little of something like that growing in your home. Much like the machinations of the aforementioned Lannister clan, if you’ve seen a little evidence of mold, there’s a whole lot more  growing that you don’t yet know about!

Basic Home Mold Problems and Their Remedies

Posted on by EnvDoc Writer

It is impossible to completely eliminate all mold and spores from a home, but it is possible to control its growth. The key is to control the moisture it needs to grow. There are some simple steps you can take to handle minor mold problems. Reducing indoor moisture can be achieved by adequately venting bathrooms and dryers, using air conditioning and de-humidifiers, and by using exhaust fans while cooking. Sometimes, though, you will need to use more sophisticated techniques to combat a mold problem, though. At the end of the day, you don’t have to fight mold and moisture alone. Professional mold testing and remediation services are available. If you’re in the Dayton area, Environmental Doctor has been your trusted, affordable source for those services for over twenty five years.

Basement Pumps Help Prevent Mold

Posted on by EnvDoc Writer

We could wax poetic about all the usual benefits of having a sump pump. Sure, a sump pump is obviously a source of great relief if your home is prone to flooding. And yes, an uncontrolled damp environment can lead to the buildup of mold, with all the potential health concerns that brings. But one thing you might not have thought of is how owning a sump pump may reduce the risk of fire. Think of all the appliances you have in your basement, such as washing machines and heating units. Now think of all the damage that could occur to these machines from short circuiting due to unchecked flooding.  This handy video will walk you through sump pump inspection. A trusty sump pump could end up saving more than just your rec room. Contact us today at Environmental Doctor for all your options in installing or repairing a sump pump system.

Mold in the Home: Preventable and Treatable

Posted on by EnvDoc Writer

Mold is a tough problem for both home and business owners. Per the EPA, the potential health effects associated with exposure to mold include asthma, allergic reactions and other respiratory complaints.  Check out this video on how to prevent mold indoors. Mold can grow almost anywhere, and on practically any surface where there is access to moisture. Ohio residents are well aware that there is moisture all around. Rather than pack up and move to New Mexico, though, you do have methods available for protecting your health and property.

Preventing condensation goes a long way to limiting mold growth. Waterproofing solutions, like those available from Environmental Doctor, can help you prevent mold from gaining the moisture it requires. Be sure to have adequate ventilation, especially from bathrooms and dryers. Removing the moisture from damp environments like those can assist with reducing indoor humidity, upon which mold thrives. You can be tougher on mold, and when you need help, we are a local expert on mold remediation.