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How to Kill Mold
Mold is a growing threat in our nation’s homes. Incidents that
were once considered isolated and non-threatening have evolved
into something of a pandemic, and the data shows more people
than ever suffering from the many side effects of mold
contamination. This is perhaps no surprise, as pollution is
rising across every index. In American homes, that often means
inhabitants must contend with elevated levels of particulates
that can quickly clog our airways and render breathing a
chore. If you have come online in search of better information
about how to kill mold, you may be surprised by the answer.
First, the good news. Mold is not a terribly robust or active
organism, and killing it is easier than you may imagine.
General disinfectants and bleach may do the trick just fine,
though you may also want to look into more advanced biocides
to ensure every inch has been covered. Often a few passes with
a sponge or rag are all you need to destroy full populations,
and removing fully infected items such as drywall can be an
additional help. Unfortunately, mold has a tendency to recur –
often within a matter of days. Needless to say, this hardly
represents a satisfactory outcome.
The real way to rid your home of mold is to cut off its supply
of moisture. Too many homes harbor leaky pipes and poor
grading that may contribute to flourishing mold populations.
Even simple issues such as poor ventilation can do the trick
in humid climates, accounting for that unmistakably musty
smell you often get in attics and basements. If you want to
rid your home of this dangerous problem for good, it’s
essential that you take some simple measures to address the
root causes of mold, not just the symptoms.
One of the simplest ways to contend with excess moisture and
humidity is with a dehumidifier. Top models may even include
UV cleaning and HEPA filters, virtually ensuring that the air
circulated through that machine remains free of spores.
Because humidity isn’t exactly the kind of thing you can
resolve with a mop, airborne technologies such as these often
represent your best hedge against the kind of soaking
construction materials molds love. For additional support, you
may also want to consider getting a fan that will keep water
off vulnerable surfaces and prevent the air from settling into
a toxic stasis.
Of course, all the dehumidifiers in the world will do little
if you have a ready water supply nearby. Consider having a
plumber to your home to look for leaks and ruptures,
particularly in walls where you continue to see mold
populations season after season. Mold is an aggressive and
efficient organism, and all it takes to spread the problem is
a single drip from a leaky valve. If your home has a tendency
to flood in the rain, it is also essential that you have your
property graded and the foundation checked – otherwise,
inadequate drainage could provide weekly harvests to breathe
in.
The most common mistake once all these concerns have been
addressed is to clean the home without proper safeguards in
place. Most experts recommend sealing every room before you
clean it, the better to prevent errant spores from floating to
new homes. You may also want to wet each surface you wipe down
for the same reason – dry mold tends to release toxic dust you
will not get from wet mold. Finally, ventilation is key, so
consider putting a window fan in place to keep stirred-up
debris from making its way elsewhere in your house.
Ridding your home of mold may be a time-consuming process, but
it doesn’t compare to the amount of dedication required to
clean the same spots year after year. Look into some of the
top products on the Web if you want to make quick work of mold
populations large and small. Often with a combination of
organic remedies such as tea tree oil and major biocides, you
can destroy the living mold throughout your house. Take active
preventive measures to avoid this nuisance in the future and
you may rightly expect a future free of spores, symptoms and
discomfort.
Budgeting for a Home
Improvement Project
How do you get the most bang for your buck without
compromising quality? Here are some ways to budget for a home
improvement project that won't break the bank.
Tips for wallet-conscious remodeling
Get work done when it won't cost you an arm and a leg. What
does this mean? Simply put, think ahead. If you've already
hired someone to remodel one of your bathrooms, and know that
in a few years' time you want to put a bathroom in the
basement, take advantage of the opportunity and have the
contractor rough-in new wiring and plumbing lines now. This
tends to be very cost-effective and reduces disruptions when
you do go ahead with future plans.
In the same vein, if you've hired a specialty trade
professional to carry out a specific project, ask them to
repair other problems when on site. While they are in your
service, you might as well get as much done as possible. It
will cost less in the long run.
Like with any major purchase, shopping around is the best way
to find the good deals. For people with an older home, salvage
yards provide excellent opportunities for rare finds at low
prices. Purchasing appliances from factory outlets can also
save you money.
Another way to save money is to finish house projects in
stages. If you can't afford everything at once, especially for
a higher quality job, renovate over time. There's no hard and
fast rule that says you must remodel your entire house all at
once.
Factor in other costs associated with home renovations as
well. People often forget that the disruption caused by major
overhauls means more take-out meals and perhaps even a visit
to a hotel for several days at a time. To avoid too much
costly disruption, try to isolate construction areas if you
can. For instance, no one can live in a house without a
working bathroom, so make sure bathroom improvements happen
one at a time. Work on the first room before starting the
second. When remodeling a kitchen space, set up some kind of
snack bar in your basement or other area where you can fix
simple meals.
Who Needs Flood
Insurance?
Flooding can cause a lot of damage to your home in a very
short amount of time. Does your homeowners policy already
covers flood damage? Purchasing flood insurance is one of the
best choices a homeowner can make to protect their financial
security.
Flood insurance is not very expensive, but most Americans have
yet to purchase a policy. In 2000 the average flood insurance
premium was $345 per year. You can buy flood insurance in
three forms: Dwelling, which covers most homes; General
Property for apartments and businesses; and Residential
Condominium Building Association Policies for condominium
owners.
If you live in a low to moderate risk zone, a discount may be
available as well.
Keep in mind that it takes 30 days for a flood insurance
policy to take effect, so rushing out to buy a plan right
before expected flooding is not a good idea. Be prepared ahead
of time so that the flood insurance you purchase will be
available when you need it.
Flood insurance operates a little differently than other
policies. The federal government sets the rates, so choosing a
company will depend, not on price, but on the level of service
being provided. Ask questions during the decision-making
process – how quickly are claims resolved? Companies that
aren't doing very well don't pay out as quickly as
institutions doing well in the industry.
Some companies provide insurance across the nation, but many
do not. Make sure you select a company that is known for good
coverage in your area.
Homeowners can insure their homes up to $250,000 and the
contents for up to $100,000. Renters also receive excellent
coverage, but only for personal contents, up to $100,000.
Property owners have the option of insuring their buildings
and the contents up to $500,000.
Flood insurance coverage is not difficult to obtain, and can
be quite affordable. You will sleep easy knowing that your
home and/or possessions are protected in the event of a
devastating flood. Flood insurance is an investment in your
peace of mind.
Architects
Designing and building a house can be a daunting task, even
for seasoned professionals. If you want the process to go as
smoothly as possible, hiring the right people to help you
along the way is not something to be taken lightly. This is
especially true when it comes time to hire an architect - the
perfect person for the job will solve problems that creep up
along the way and even save you money.
Architects have many years of education and experience in the
field under their belt, which can come in handy when you have
to make important decisions during a construction project.
With all the building codes, zoning laws, and permitting
requirements that need to be considered, a knowledgeable
person by your side is invaluable. An architect works with you
during the initial design process, but will also be involved
as the structure goes up.
An architect can save you money in the long run. The money you
spend on an architect is well worth the expense because he/she
will help you design a home that will run efficiently and
increase your property value. A good architect also makes it
possible to choose materials according to your budget and can
obtain them at lower prices.
In addition to guiding you through the building process and
keeping the project within budget, an architect makes the
entire journey easier for everyone. Architects have the
homeowners best interests in mind and contacts within the
industry. You may even find the perfect contractor for the job
through your architect.
Selecting an Architect
Choose an architect based on his/her technical proficiencies,
service ideals, and design talent.
1. Begin right away. Ideally, you should hire an
architect at the start of your project so that the process
goes more smoothly.
2. Interview 3 firms (or more) until you find the right
one.
3. View completed projects of firms you're interested
in hiring.
4. During interviews, ask the same questions to each
firm to ensure your conclusions are sound.
5. When you have chosen an architectural firm, let the
other firm know of your decision.
6. Negotiate a price for the architect's services from
the start to reach a reasonable agreement.
7. Don't be afraid to ask questions during the entire
process. Communication is key to a successful outcome.
Can I Do it Myself or
Should I Hire a Contractor
As a homeowner, this is a question you have to ask yourself
before starting a major home improvement project. Too much
confidence when it comes to work around the house can be a bad
thing if your level of skill and commitment don't match up
with your good intentions. Be honest with yourself from the
get-go - for larger or more complex projects, hiring a
contractor may be your best bet. For smaller jobs that are
fairly straightforward, strapping on the D-I-Y tool belt might
be the smartest choice. It really all depends on your D-I-Y
abilities and the difficulty of the project. The amount of
time you can commit to a project is also something to take
into consideration.
The biggest mistake you can make is to get so excited you
start demolishing your house without properly planning ahead,
and knowing whether or not you have the ability to handle the
project properly. Even if you're skilled enough to pull it
off, many people begin work only to leave the project
unfinished once the excitement wears off. It's not uncommon
for do-it-yourselfers to live with half-finished rooms for
months on end, putting stress on the whole family.
And remember: remodeling is actually more difficult and time
consuming than starting from scratch, simply because there are
so many unknowns involved in the entire process. The potential
exists for many things to go wrong, especially if you own an
older home with plaster walls.
If you're unsure about the decision, especially for a large
project, a good idea is to try smaller repairs first. If
everything goes smoothly with your 'test' projects, it's a
good indication that you're ready to take on something bigger.
Of course, many people decide to tackle a home improvement
project to save money. Professional rates can be quite high,
so if you have the right skills to accomplish your D-I-Y
goals, you can save a lot of money in the long run. If,
however, you realize that a pro will get the task done faster
than you (and achieve a better result) forking over a little
more cash may save you trouble and make the endeavor easier
overall.
A great compromise is to take advantage of both worlds. Hire a
contractor for the really difficult grunt work that requires
special expertise, and then finish the job yourself. For
instance, many homeowners have no problem painting or
installing floors, so it makes sense to leave this type of
work for yourself.
In the end, the final decision rests in your hands, and
depends on your personal circumstances and financial position.
Do what's best for you and you'll be happy with the results. |
