There’s a pretty good chance that you’ve heard that exposure to mold is not good for your health; however, what you might not know is all of the reasons why. Actually, there are many ways that it can be hazardous to your body. Mold can lead to respiratory problems; eye, nose and throat irritation; body aches; chronic fatigue; headaches and dizziness; nausea and vomiting and irritable bowel syndrome, just to name a few.

That’s why it’s important to do all that you can to prevent mold from growing in your house. If you’re curious about some ways that you can do that, we have enclosed our top five proven tips below:

Image via: AMW Design Studio

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Have a “no shoes on in the house” policy.

Remember, a big part of the reason why we wear shoes at all is to protect our feet from all of the outside elements. Well, when we walk throughout the house with our shoes on, we end up tracking all kinds of things including dirt, debris and yes, mold. That’s why it’s best to implement a “no shoes” policy. All you need to do is ask everyone to take their shoes off at the front door and have some socks on hand so that they don’t want to walk around in their bare feet.

Vacuum often.

It’s pretty hard to detect the beginning signs of mold infestation. Therefore, make sure to vacuum the rooms in your house at least twice a week. Also, don’t just limit this activity to your floors; use an attachment to vacuum your furniture and drapes too.

Water your plants slowly.

If you tend to have a lot of indoor plants, that’s a really healthy thing because ones like Spider plants, Peace lilies and Aloe Vera are awesome when it comes to naturally purifying the air. However, because water is what mold feeds off of, when you are watering your plants, concentrate on not overwatering them and if some water does spill on the ground that you wipe it up immediately.

Image via: Tara Seawright

Use your humidifiers and your fans.

Something else that is important to do is to make sure to keep a lot of moisture out of the air. Thankfully, there are two surefire ways to do that. One way is by using a dehumidifier (which you can get at a local home improvement store for under $100). Another is by turning on your air conditioner in the summer months and your ceiling fans when there’s cooler weather. Speaking of fans, being that there is naturally a lot of moisture in the air when it comes to your kitchen and bathroom, it’s also a good idea to install (and use) exhaust fans in those rooms too. There are many studies to support if that if humidity is kept under 40 percent, that is an ideal way to prevent mold from developing.

Have a professional inspect the home.

If after following these steps, you are still feeling some of the symptoms that we mentioned, you might want to call a home inspector to come and look over your house. They will know how to inspect areas that you might overlook and while you may have to spend a couple of hundred dollars on the front end, it could save you thousands in the long run. To find a home inspector in your area, visit http://homeinspectors.net.

For more maintenance tips on Stagetecture, click here.

As if it isn’t bad enough that you cough, sneeze, and wheeze your way through spring thanks to outdoor seasonal allergies, now you’ve discovered that the interior air in your home could be to blame for ongoing allergy symptoms. And there are all kinds of culprits that could have you rubbing your itchy, watery eyes, gasping for breath, and reaching for tissues day and night to stop up a nose that leaks like a faucet. However, when you know what could be causing your indoor allergens, you’ll find that there are a slew of simple solutions that will help keep them to a minimum or even eliminate them entirely. As you probably aren’t keen to hermetically seal your home and install a decontaminant chamber for everyone that walks in the door, here are some tips for controlling indoor allergens and creating the comfortable safe haven you crave.

Image via: JAUREGUI Architecture Interiors Construction

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1. Eliminate sources.

If you’ve had a scratch test done then you know exactly which items are triggering your indoor allergies. But even if you haven’t been tested you can probably take a guess. The most common indoor allergens include cigarette smoke, pet dander, and dust. The first is easy enough to undo; just take your habit outdoors. As for pet dander, chances are good you’re not going to get rid of your furry friend, but you can certainly engage the services of a groomer more frequently and use shampoos and conditioners meant to cut down on dander. And all three of these allergens, but the last one especially, will require you to deep clean your home in order to remove as much of the offending allergen as possible.

2. Use green cleaners.

Did you know that the fumes from toxic chemical solvents that most people use to clean their homes are responsible for a number of respiratory issues, such as asthma and allergy symptoms? By switching to greener options you may be able to significantly reduce your respiratory distress, all while cleaning out other allergens such as dust and dander.

Image via: Dura Supreme Cabinetry

3. Perform an energy audit.

Even well-built homes will settle over time, potentially suffering gaps that lead to leaks. Although an energy audit is ostensibly meant to determine where your bought air is getting out, you should also know that these areas are letting outside air in, potentially bringing outdoor allergens like pollen and mold into your home. By adding proper weather stripping or other sealants you could not only reduce your energy bill, but also your allergy symptoms.

Image via: Bates Masi Architects LLC

4. Use air purifiers.

These handy, portable devices are a great part of your overall plan to reduce interior allergens because they are designed to suck allergens out of the air. With a wide range of models and prices to choose from, you can install small units in every room or spring for a pricier product for the area of the home you use most.

5. Install HEPA filters.

Unless you happen to enjoy geothermal air conditioning, chances are good that you’re using a standard HVAC system, which means your heating and cooling systems are probably spewing allergens throughout your home. If this is the case, you can combat the condition by installing HEPA filters that are designed to catch and trap allergens as they go through the system.a

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

When it comes to spring cleaning, there are some things that we know to look for: dust, trash, items that we know longer need. But there are others that could be accumulating that are far more detrimental than all of those combined. One of these examples is mold.

Mold is something that naturally occurs within the environment. It’s a fuzzy and slimy fungus that comes in a variety of colors from white and black to green and brown. A part of the reason why it’s such a threat to a home is because, over time, it actually breaks down something as simple as leaves and also something as foundational as wood. Therefore, if a mold infestation gets into your house, you can see how it can cause a huge problem.

Image via: House of Turquoise

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How Does Mold Develop Within the Home?

Unless you are looking for it, mold may not be something that would appear to be obvious for you. That’s because wood is oftentimes used as a part of a home’s foundation behind all of the paint and plaster. However, because mold thrives off of moisture, one of the preventative measures that you can take in keeping it from being in your house is to regularly check for roof and plumbing leaks (this would mean checking out kitchens and bathrooms especially). Another thing to keep in mind is that while mold can grow on basically anything, it does like to feed off of cloth and insulation and so it’s also wise to do a once over in your attic and basement once a season. If you don’t see any immediate signs, but you’re still sensing that some mold could be there, there are other ways to detect it.

How Do You Detect Mold in Your House?

One of the greatest risks with having a mold infestation is that it can attach to your skin and even get into your lungs. This is especially challenging for people with allergies or those who are asthmatic. Also, over time, mold can bring toxins into the air that can result in other health concerns and so if you find that you feel groggy or congested in your house and then you’re noticeably better once you leave it, that’s a potential symptom of there being mold in your house. However, when it comes to the actual structure of your house, there are relatively inexpensive mold home testing kits that are available at home improvement stores for around $50. Because mold can grow in an optimal setting within 24-48 hours, it’s definitely not something that you want to wait to do. A mold infestation can be very costly over time and so an initial fifty bucks is money well spent.

Image via: House of Turquoise

How Do You Get Rid of the Mold?

Once you know that you have mold in your house, it’s now time to get to work. First, you’ll want to have a plumber or home inspector come and inspect the house to make sure there are no unseen water leaks. If there are and s/he senses that it has gotten into the insulation of your house, you will probably need a contractor to remove the mold and replace any of the foundational damage that has been done. If you’re told that it’s a manageable job that you can do on your own, before you start cleaning up, make sure to put on some gloves, goggles and a filter mask (you don’t want to have to get a temporary health insurance quote to treat a mold allergy!). Then, with some non-ammonia detergent and warm water, use a damp wipe to clean the mold off of the tiles or drywall that it is growing on. You can also use bleach, but make sure that you use one or the other; both could prove to be toxic. If you see mold on the baseboards that carpet is connected to, use a dry vacuum to air the carpet out. Do make sure to keep in mind that while these tips can help to remove mold, it doesn’t guarantee that it will prevent it from coming back. Some tips to keep mold at bay are to keep your home at around 77-78 degrees to keep the humidity out of the air, keep the windows and doors close when the air conditioning is running, and to have your air conditioning serviced regularly for any potential leaks.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

You might think that allergies only await you when you step out the door of your house or if you eat a dish that contains peanuts or shellfish.  But if you don’t believe that allergies are lurking right under your nose, within the walls of your home, then you’d better think again.  Air quality inside a house is often worse than anything found outdoors thanks to dust, pet dander, mold, cigarette smoke, chemical cleaning solvents, and potentially even carbon monoxide (amongst other things).  And while frequent and thorough cleanings can do a world of good for allergy sufferers, those who are in the enviable position of designing their house can do a lot more to ensure that the presence of common allergens in the home is greatly reduced.

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Design of your home

For starters, a house that is still in the framing stage (or even fully built, for that matter) can be equipped with an HVAC system that is custom made for allergy control.  In truth, it is not the ductwork that matters the most; it is the equipment and filters attached to them that make a real difference.  First and foremost, your heating and cooling systems need to be properly ventilated to keep allergens from being recirculated throughout your home.  And while dehumidifiers should help to keep down the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria, you’ll almost certainly want to install an HVAC system that allows for the use of HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters that will remove more dust and airborne allergens than the standard fare.

Sophisticated design

If you want to get really fancy you could even install a system that pulls in (and filters) outside air at the ground level, uses vacuum suction to pull air (and allergens) towards the ceiling, and then dumps the particulate-laden air back outside.  You can even plant trees outside intake vents to provide oxygen-rich air.  Believe it or not, sophisticated systems like this already exist (forward thinking casinos are using them to remove cigarette smoke from their game floor and provide more breathable air for patrons).  The system even cools the air to reduce humidity and cut down on the cost of air conditioning.

Simple design tips

But if you don’t want to spend an arm and leg on such a high-tech system, there are still options to help you out.  For example, you could create a space that has few plush surfaces (which tend to grab and hold allergens).  You can install hardwood throughout or opt for eco-friendly stained concrete flooring (instead of carpeting that will release allergens with every step you take).  And you can furnish your home with leather couches and chairs.  Of course, you don’t exactly want to sleep on a slab of marble, so your bedding will likely be plush.  But with Allergy Armor Ultra bedding (and frequent washing) you can even reduce allergens on unavoidably plush surfaces.

Image via: Freshome

Once you’re comfortably living in your space there are other steps you can take to keep your environment allergy-free, such as placing air purifiers in each room, cleaning often (with green cleaners), installing CO sensors, and scheduling regular energy assessments to ensure that outside air isn’t leaking in.  But by designing a space that is less likely to hold allergens in the first place, you upkeep efforts will remain minimal and you’ll enjoy a home interior that can be a true sanctuary from the allergens that cause you discomfort.

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy DIY Saturday! In most homes today we are concerned about the health and welfare of our family. For our home is where we feel secure, and we enjoy retreating to daily. Over the last decade mold in homes have become a common household hazard that can result in sick inhabitants, as well as costly repairs to rectify the problem.

Today, my Guest Blogger gives tips for preventing mold in your home, as well as a You Tube helps you understand how to find mold in your home and when to hire a professional to remove it.

You Tube Video – How to Prevent Mold in your Home

Guest Blogger – How to prevent mold in your home

You’ve probably seen new stories about toxic black mold making entire buildings uninhabitable without extensive remediation. The good news is that most of the common varieties of household mold aren’t toxic. The bad news is that even “harmless” molds can wreck havoc on those with allergies and cause expensive damage to your home’s structure.

1. Look for any existing mold in your home and deal with it immediately before it spreads further. Patches of mold larger than three square feet should be dealt with by a mold remediation specialist. Don’t just clean the mold, try to figure out why that area is hospitable to mold growth and take steps to remedy the situation so that it doesn’t grow back.

2. If you live in an area of high humidity use dehumidifiers and air conditioners to remove as much moisture from the air as you can. If you need a humidifier for health reasons, use a humidity gauge to avoid putting too much moisture into the air.

Image courtesy of AAA Blinds

3. Install and use exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom to vent out warm, moist air.

4. Fix any leaks and seepage problems in and around your home as soon as possible. Be sure to dry the area thoroughly and check back later to make sure no mold has grown.

5. The soil in your houseplant’s pot can provide the perfect place for mold to grow. Avoid putting houseplants in bedrooms, especially of those who have allergies and asthma.

6. Wash your shower curtain in hot water weekly with a bit of bleach, vinegar or tea tree oil to kill mold and mildew. Look for mold and mildew resistant tub mats and shower curtains as added insurance.

7. Clean any drip pans under refrigerators and air conditioning units regularly.

8. Make it habit to wipe down shower walls and wipe up any water off of the floor after you shower.

9. If you have a crawlspace under your home, cover the dirt with plastic and make sure that the area is well ventilated.

Image courtesy of Got Power

10. Don’t put carpet over concrete floors without a vapor barrier. If you can’t have one installed, use rugs instead so that you can lift them up periodically and clean them thoroughly.

11. Dry up spills on your carpet immediately. Smaller spills can be blotted as dry as possible then blown dry with a fan or hair dryer. Larger spills might require a wet/dry shop vac and several fans to be sure the area dries completely within 48 hours. For floods and other extensive water damage, the entire carpet may have to be removed.

12. Be sure to pull out appliances regularly to clean behind them and look for any leaks or moisture build-up.

13. Clean out your refrigerator regularly including the door gaskets. Dispose of all spoiled foods and wipe up any spills as soon as they happen.

14. Wash and disinfect all household trashcans weekly. Get in the habit of emptying all liquid containers in the sink thoroughly before placing them in the trash or recycling bin.

15. Change the air filters in your furnace and air conditioning units regularly with electrostatic filters that are rated to filter out airborne allergens like mold. This will help keep mold spores from spreading.

16. Use paint with a mold-inhibitor added to cover walls in your basement and other areas that are prone to dampness in your home.

17. Don’t allow wet clothes to sit around your house or in the dryer. Make sure that all clothing is dry when your dryer stops, if it’s not, give it another cycle.

18. Be careful of what you store in damp areas like the basement. Once they become damp, clothes, books and paper are ideal mediums for mold to grow on.

19. Check your gutters and rainspouts regularly and keep them clear of obstructions so that they can direct water away from your house’s walls and foundation.

20. Put chemical moisture remover canisters in the backs of closest and storage areas to suck out dampness from the air. Remember to empty out the water that collects in the bottom of the containers regularly.

21. Avoid foam mattresses and pillows as these have been known to grow mold.

22. If you have allergies, invest in a room air purifier to remove mold spores from the air. Even if you have faithfully followed all of the mold prevention techniques in this article, mold spores can still work their way into your house from the outdoors.

Jacob Maslow is a blogger for Allergy Be Gone, an allergy control products company.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

With the onset of hurricane season, and Hurricane Irene becoming a historical storm threatening over 2.2 million people in the south and northeastern U.S., the reality of what your home will look like after the storm is a concern to many. Living in Jacksonville, Florida, we have become accustomed to hurricanes, but no one can ever prepare for what they may face at their home after returning from an evacuation.

I have compiled a list of resources and important information to help you and your family clean up after a flood or hurricane. Even if you haven’t been effected by a hurricane or natural disaster, these tips are helpful to know in advance. As the United States has seen in the last week, there is no such thing as “My part of the country doesn’t get that type of natural disaster!”

Flood Cleanup Resources

Flood Cleanup – source EPA

During a flood cleanup, the indoor air quality in your home or office may appear to be the least of your problems. However, failure to remove contaminated materials and to reduce moisture and humidity can present serious long-term health risks. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and mold. They can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the flood.

For basic information on how to clean up after a flood and how to prevent indoor air problems – download the flood_booklet here.

Returning Home after a Natural Disaster

Source – One Storm

Download the returning home after a natural disaster booklet here

Reentering Buildings

• Stay away from damaged buildings or structures until they have been examined and certified as safe by a building inspector or other government authority. You may want to wait to return to buildings during daylight hours, when it is easier to avoid hazards, particularly if the electricity is off and you have no lights.
• Leave immediately if you hear shifting or unusual noises that signal that the structure may fall or if you smell gas or suspect a leak. If you smell gas, notify emergency authorities and do not turn on the lights, light matches, smoke, or do anything that could cause a spark. Do not return to the house until you are told it is safe to do so.
• Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been completed.

General Safety Measures

• Have at least two fire extinguishers, each with a UL rating of at least 10A, at every cleanup job.
• Wear hard hats, goggles, heavy work gloves, and watertight boots with steel toe and insole (not just steel shank) for cleanup work.
• Wear earplugs or protective headphones to reduce risk from equipment noise.
• Use teams of two or more people to move bulky objects. Avoid lifting any material that weighs more than 50 pounds (per person).
• When using a chain saw, operate the saw according to the manufacturer’s instructions, wear appropriate protective equipment, avoid contact with power lines, be sure that bystanders are at a safe distance, and take extra care in cutting trees or branches that have gotten bent or caught under another object. Use extreme caution to avoid electrical shock when using an electric chain saw. For tips on safely operating a chain saw, see “Preventing Chain Saw Injury During Tree Removal.”
• If there has been a backflow of sewage into your house, wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles during cleanup of the affected area.
• In hot weather, try to stay cool by staying in air-conditioned buildings, taking breaks in shaded areas or in cool rooms, drinking water and nonalcoholic fluids often, and wearing light and loose-fitting clothing. Do outdoor activities during cooler hours. For more information on protecting yourself against heat-related illness, see the CDC Extreme Heat website.

Cleanup Efforts

Source – Chiff

These tips from Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores will help you get busy with the clean-up and started on the way to returning to your normal life:
•    Keep battery-powered radios or televisions at hand for important flood or power updates
•    Check the home’s exterior and hose down debris and mud left by floodwater
Open interior doors with caution – doors that stick at the top could indicate a ceiling ready to fall.
•    Use fans, dehumidifiers and products such as calcium chloride pellets and cat litter to get rid of excess moisture.
•    Remove wet wallpaper – damp wallpaper paste is a prime location for mold to grow.
•    Ask a contractor or building inspector to check for mold damage after a flood.
•    Scrub all interior surfaces that were in contact with flood waters with bleach or a household disinfectant containing bleach.

For natural disaster information for your local area, check with disaster relief entities. In the United States – The Red Cross is a great resource.