6 Things You Should Know About the Sipadan Island Before You Book Your Diving Trip

So, you decided to go diving in Malaysia! The best place to do it is on the Sipadan Island. Here are a few things you should know about it.

(1) What makes it special. Pulau Sipadan, as the natives call it, is the only oceanic island of Malaysia in the Celebes Sea, just off the coast of Borneo. It rises 600 meters above sea level and it is home of thousands of species of fish, corals and turtles.

Humidity Chamber

(2) Getting there. First you fly into Malaysia, either to the capital, Kuala Lumpur or directly into the capital of the state of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, on the island of Borneo. There are several flights a day from each of these locations to the town of Tawau. There is also a bus service from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau, if you prefer the scenic route. Then you can take a taxi or a minivan to the port town Semporna. Lastly, you take a fast boat directly to the Sipadan Island.

(3) Keep in mind that you cannot stay on Sipadan Island! Since the year 2005 the Malaysian government has enforced strict regulations on the numbers of visitors and divers on the island. Because of the incredibly huge number of tourists that have flooded the island, the government turned it into a wildlife and marine life sanctuary. There are only 120 dive permits offered per day, on a first come - first served basis.

(4) What is there to see and do? You can walk around the beautiful sandy beaches, where sometimes large monitor lizards can be seen. Snorkeling and diving can be done all around the island, where amazing coral reefs and rich marine life can be spotted.

(5) Sipadan Island diving. Jacques Cousteau, the legendary French adventurer made the island famous among diving enthusiasts, through his documentary on the local marine life. The Sipadan Island offers one of the best and rarest diving experiences. The reef wall that drops 1000 to 2000 meters can be reached at just 20 meters over the reef, off the main beach. You can see schools of green and hawksbill turtles, barracudas, manta rays, eagle rays, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks and 3000 more species of fish. There's also an underwater limestone cave with tunnels and chambers, which hosts a turtle tomb as well. The abundance and diversity of the marine life makes Sipadan Island diving one of the top 10 diving experiences.

(6) Best time to visit. Pulau Sipadan is blessed with a unique climate, with the sun shining brightly all year long and temperatures ranging from 21°C to 31°C with the humidity about 90%. The rainy season is generally from November to February. Diving can be done all year round while the high-season is from July to August.

Keeping in mind that all resorts on the Sipadan Island have been closed down to preserve the amazing marine life the fact that there are only 120 dive permits offered per day, you may want to consider booking your trip well in advance.

6 Things You Should Know About the Sipadan Island Before You Book Your Diving Trip

How to Control Mold in Your Home

How do you prevent or control mold?

Since mold in all of its forms thrives in a moist environment, removing as much moisture from the air as possible will make a big difference in your mold allergies. Whole house dehumidifiers are a big help for this project...but if you cannot use one for whatever reason, all is not lost. Here are a few suggestions to help you control it...

Humidity Control

1) Keep humidity levels inside the house as low as you can. Use an air conditioner...especially during the more humid times of the year. A good air conditioner can help to lessen mold allergies...as cool air holds less moisture. You may also need to look into having the duct work cleaned to remove any mold that might have formed during the winter months.

2) Make sure your home has good ventilation in the bathroom and kitchen. The use of small dehumidifiers in these areas will also help to prevent mold spores from forming...and thus lessen mold allergy symptoms.

3) Add a mold inhibitor to paint...especially in the basement...before you apply it to the walls to help prevent basement wall mold.

4) Use a basement dehumidifier in your basement to prevent black mold.

5) Do not put carpeting in bathrooms or basements. If any carpeting or furniture has gotten wet, replace it asap.

6) To prevent mildew mold from forming, clean your bathrooms regularly with a mold killing product.

7) Use an attic dehumidifier to prevent mold on wood ceiling beams and to prevent mold spores in the attic. The attic is very susceptible to mold...especially in the Southern states where humidity is high.

8) The use of a crawl space dehumidifier will help to prevent mold in walls.

A mold allergy can be a dangerous allergy to have...especially for the elderly and the very young as mold allergy symptoms effect breathing. It is very important to control mold as much as you can.

While you can never completely eliminate mold, thorough cleaning with a mold and mildew killing product and the judicious use of dehumidifiers, you can reduce it a great deal. An attic dehumidifier (especially in the Southern states where humidity is high) and basement dehumidifiers (in the northern states where snow is a factor) is a must for minimal mold allergy control.

How to Control Mold in Your Home

Solving High Humidity Problems in the Home

Water and excessive humidity in your home or basement can do a lot of damage and cause unpleasant mildew odors. What can you as a homeowner due to solve the issue of high levels of moisture? First and foremost in the vast majority of cases the problems lies outside not inside your household's walls. Often water in the basement itself is the result of water pooling outside - look at better landscaping and gutter and eaves roughing systems to lead to water away from outside walls of your home. However even with the best laid plans and planning water may seep through cracks - or even almost a deluge into your basement areas. So what work can be done to reduce humidity levels in your home to acceptable levels to work to control or at least hold off baying the situation?

If its simply a matter of dampness in your basement - that cold chill that then results in mildew then the steps required may not involve cracks in basement walls. Look to reduce and eliminate humidity levels in the basement areas and indeed in the whole home. Increase ventilation overall by vents and venting the biggest producers of humidity in your home to the outside air. The usual culprits to consider include appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and gas or electric clothes dryers.

Humidity Control

The dryers should be vented to the outside air. If vents already exist make sure that the piping and venting is clear and unencumbered. Exterior outlets should not be blocked - they should be clear. The vents themselves may need to be cleared of lint. It is a good idea to have an exterior directed fan in the kitchen and bathroom areas to vent indoor humid air to the outside. If exhaust fans are installed in these areas make sure, like the driers that the passageways are clear, the exhaust ports open and clear as well. In some older homes you may find that the venting is not to the actual exterior of the home, but rather to the attic. In previous times before solid and complete insulation practices this was "good enough" as attics were rather drafty and not air tight. It was easiest and cheapest simply to vent to the attic. If this is the situation expand the venting from the attic to the outside. Some homeowners have dealt with humidity issues in their homes and a house by installing additional vents in the attic them to eliminate and control high humidity levels. It is your choice and heating budget so to speak.

Solving High Humidity Problems in the Home

How To Control Basement Water Seepage

Let's define what make crawlspaces gross places to begin with. They're damp, they smell and they're hard to get in and out of. The first two of these problems can be solved by drying out the space. There are a few steps to doing just that, but it's worth it.

Seal it off
The first step to drying out a crawlspace is to seal (or encapsulate) the earth or concrete from the home. This is best done with a thick, plastic vapor barrier. These work the best because they block water vapor and they're thick enough not to rip when service people crawl on it. Since the liner seals off moisture, the humidity and temperature will begin to stabilize.

Humidity Control

Another bonus to the right type of plastic vapor barriers is that they can brighten the space with the available lighting, if they are white in color. This may not sound like a big deal but when you're in there, any light that can be reflected can make a big difference in how well you see your surroundings.

Get a sump
Sump pumps are another great tool in the fight against moisture. They take water out of the space and direct it back outside, far from your home. Having a professional waterproofing contractor install a sump pump can save the "do-it-yourselfer" a lot of aggravation and money in the long-run.

Sump pumps are most often useful in periods of heavy rain. They are available with one pump, two pumps or even three. The extra pumps can help in case one pump malfunctions or just has a hard time keeping up with the volume of water being thrown at it or if the power goes out. Sump pump alarms are another accessory which let you know when water has risen too high in the liner. This will give you warning and time to check out the situation or call for service.

Dry it out
Humid and moist air is a huge culprit in keeping homes full of smelly mold and mildew. One of the best ways to combat this is to install a dehumidifier. Some companies even carry ones that are made specifically for crawl spaces, not basements. What they do is wring water out of the air like a towel. This dries out the air and (when used consistently) prevents mold and mildew from being able to thrive.

This is a big deal because air flow in a home is from bottom to top. Air comes from the below grade space and travels up into the house and eventually leaves through the attic. If a home is full of moist and humid air, mold and mildew will thrive and spread throughout the home.

Often times this can cause chronic allergies and asthma issues for family members. Plus, mold and mildew are the culprits behind that "musty smell" that plague many homes across the country. When a dehumidifier is constantly used, it results in a drier crawlspace and less health problems due to mold and mildew. You'll need one that is powerful enough to do the job energy efficiently and will clean the air as well. It's a winning solution that can solve your water seepage problem when used in conjunction with the aforementioned tools.

How To Control Basement Water Seepage

Identify and Control Lawn Fungus

Lawn fungus; materializing in numerous colours under varied environmental conditions, it attacks a wide range of grasses. Knowing how to identify it early, before it becomes a major problem, will save both time and money. Anyone who is concerned about the having a beautiful lawn should monitor it for signs of disease, prevent outbreaks if possible and treat disease infestations quickly and effectively.

Appearance and Damage Caused

Humidity Control

Lawn fungus materializes as a variety of rings, spots and patches during different times of the year.

In the summer, one to three foot wide brown patches often show up during hot weather. People in areas with both hot weather and high humidity, like the Lower Mainland of British Columbia or Southern Ontario, may also see gray or purple tinged rings appear around the edge of the blotches.

In the winter, grass snow mold (a type of lawn fungus) may likely appear after the snow melts or during long periods of cold, wet weather. These patches are often pink or gray and can have quite different effects on your lawn.

Pink snow-mold produces roughly circular bleached patches up to 60 centimetres in diametre. It may initially look white and mature to a faint pink or salmon color. It can invade the crowns and roots of grass, causing serious injury or even killing it.

Gray snow-mold is seen in similar-sized patches as pink snow mold, but as a light gray or white colour. It is unsightly but less serious than pink mold, rarely damaging more than the blades of grass. If it has not spread extensively, gray snow-mold may even disappear once the affected lawn has had time to dry thoroughly.

Disease Management

Preventing grass mold it from attacking your lawn in the first place is the best way of managing it. Don't ignore the possible signs of disease, as it is more cost-effective to prevent the lawn mold growth from developing than cure areas where it has become established.

There are several steps which may help ward off outbreaks of lawn snow mold. Avoiding excessive nitrogen fertilizers, cleaning up leaves, managing thatch and mowing your lawn until it stops growing are all simple ways to prevent outbreaks of lawn fungus.

Choosing a good fungicide is also an effective way to both treat outbreaks of grass snow mold and prevent them from reoccurring; however, many people don't wish treat their lawn with chemicals due to health and environmental concerns. Thankfully, products like ZeroTol are available.

Both safe and environmentally friendly, fungicides like ZeroTol (commercial) or ZeroTol Ready-to-Spray (home & garden) can cure existing outbreaks of grass snow mold in addition to killing the spread of moss. ZeroTol is environmentally friendly and non-toxic. It is also highly effective, frequently producing visible results in less than 48 hours.

Identify and Control Lawn Fungus

The Propagation Kit - Essential Considerations for Propagating Plants

One of the most important elements of gardening is seed and cutting propagation. This is the start of the journey for many plants and whilst the process is certainly technical, it does not have to be daunting. If you have the right propagation kit the process can be made far simpler, helping you to propagate your plants as easily as possible.

One of the most important steps in the propagation process is to have all of the equipment you will need ready before you begin. Once again a kit can help you to do this. Additionally, it is worthwhile making sure any equipment you plan to use is sterile, and any cutting implements are sharp. Understandably, if you have had crops in the past hampered by disease, then ensuring sterility is achieved before propagation is vital. Sterilisation can be achieved using special bleach like solutions, available from gardening retailers.

Humidity Chamber

Propagation can be performed using a number of different growing mediums, from Rockwool and compressed peat to perlite and vermiculite mixes. It is important that these mediums are prepared properly so as to give seeds or cuttings the best chance of success. It is also fundamental to consider four other factors when propagating; these are pH levels, light, temperature and water.

pH levels are important for all plants at every stage of their lifecycle. As a rough guide pH levels between 6.2 and 6.8 should be maintained for the plant to flourish. pH levels should be monitored on a weekly basis to ensure that the plant does not miss out on certain nutrients and elements that are only available at the correct pH.

As well as pH, light is vital in the propagation process. Most gardeners typically use fluorescent lights to allow seeds or cuttings to grow. Typically these lights should be left on for a maximum of 18hrs a day and a minimum of 16. The most convenient way to do this is to use a time operated switch, this also ensures that the plants have a uniform lightness/darkness schedule.

Temperature and humidity are massively important in plant growth. Most plants will successfully germinate at a temperature between twenty and twenty eight degrees Celsius. This temperature range will enable the growth of seedlings at a rate that should encourage healthy growth in later life. As part of a propagation kit, a chamber will normally be provided to create a warm and humid environment for the seeds or cuttings. This chamber should be kept suitably moist to encourage growth.

Finally it is important to consider the water levels provided to seedling. In most cases a spray of mist will be sufficient to keep the moisture levels suitable. In the water it is advisable to use a nutrient solution to ensure the plant is given the food it needs for healthy and successful growth.

The Propagation Kit - Essential Considerations for Propagating Plants

Learn What Items Require Climate Control Storage

Climate control storage has become extremely popular over the years. Since the 1970s individuals have used self storage companies to store valuable items when room got scarce at home. Storage units are also useful during moves when there might be a short period of time between the closing of a home and the move in date for another home. The only downside to storage units, especially storage units that will be used for a long period of time is that items often deteriorate when exposed to the weather.

Many people who rent storage units do not realize that the temperature in their storage units will be dependent upon the outside weather condition. On summer days when the temperature reaches 90 degrees the average storage facility will end up being 80 degrees at best. During humid weather a storage unit can become stifling and cause extreme damage to items in storage. Many people who have stored valuable clothing, wines, and other items in traditional storage have gotten a rude awakening when they went to retrieve their items from storage. Before throwing your items into a storage unit take the time to find out which of your belongings will benefit from climate controlled storage.

Humidity Control

First of all, when you are trying to determine which of your belongings will benefit from climate controlled storage stop and think about the weather condition of the area you live in. There are some people, not many, who might not need to invest in climate controlled storage. First of all, do you live in an area like Louisiana that is known for high levels of humidity? If so, you definitely need to consider climate controlled storage units. High levels of humidity will warp high quality furniture leading to cracking and serious damage. Documents that are stored in humid areas can degrade rapidly losing color and overtime mildew and mold will begin to grow on clothing and furniture that is in storage. Worst, insects breed rapidly in warm, damp areas and your storage facility could quickly become a nest of insects of every kind.

Temperature also plays an important factor in deciding whether or not to invest in climate control storage for your items. If you live in areas that are extremely cold then watch out for condensation that could lead to mildew and mold in damp belongings. Extreme heat is just as bad since this can lead to the permanent damage and destruction of computer disks, DVDs, CDs, and more. Many people who store their collections in extreme heat are shocked and disappointed when they discover that their entire collection has been completely destroyed after a few days in a storage unit subjected to 100 degree heat.

Climate controlled storage units are prefect for a variety of items be they valuable or made of high quality materials. There are some items that belong in climate control that most people would not realize need special care. Mattresses are one item that should be carefully stored in climate controlled storage units. Mattresses can rapidly mold and mildew when left exposed to the elements and with many fine mattresses costing more than 0.00 waste is not recommended.

Good clothing should never be stored in anything less than climate controlled storage units. Fine linens such as silk and velvet are especially vulnerable to deterioration caused by the weather. Heat can lead to discoloration while humidity and cold can cause moisture which will lead to molding and mildewing. Even if mold and mildew do not occur insects will often choose to nest in these fine materials making them dangerous to wear safely.

Musical instruments should never be stored in traditional storage units. Without climate control pianos and violin strings will begin to discolor and will often warp or break. The wood used to create these instruments will also start to warp, crack, and break. Thousands of dollars have been lost or wasted when valuable instruments have been ruined because of extreme weather.

Books and paperwork are also items that should always be stored in climate control storage units. Many people believe that books and documents will store anywhere but this is completely untrue. Without climate control documents will start to discolor making it difficult to read their text and puzzle out their meaning. This can be extremely frustrating when owners of book collections go to look for a favorite volume only to discover it has been ruined.

It is important that individuals looking into storage remember that climate control units are not just needed for fine china, antiques, and leather. Climate control storage is necessary to preserve important paperwork, good clothes, furniture, and really anything you own that is of any value.

Learn What Items Require Climate Control Storage

Basement Bar - Prepare Your Space First Pt 1 - Moisture Control

Having a basement bar is a great idea. It's great for socializing, saving money on going out, organization, storage and they make a great conversational piece. Proper bars do have running water and require detailed planning and plumbing. The one thing people don't think about is the extra time they're going to be spending in their new, shinny basement area. They don't take into consideration a few things: Moisture control, and Air Quality.

If you're daydreaming about a deep mahogany wood bar with expensive bar stools, shelves and other costly items, you need to protect these things. Having a damp, moisture racked environment can only cause warping and mold damage over time to your new investment in fun.

Humidity Control

Foundation leaks, floor seepage and concrete leaks can lead to standing water, flooding and excess moisture in your basement. Water evaporates from this excess water and leads to excess moisture which then can slow down your AC and increase the amount you use a low efficiency dehumidifier.

Waterproofing your basement can lend to the total idea of moisture control in your basement space while protecting you from leaks and flooding. Controlling the moisture in your basement allows you to keep a more comfortable environment. Humidity can make the air harder to breath, grow mold, twist wood and organic material. Considering the amount of money that you're planning to put into your bar project it would be to your benefit to research waterproofing options to protect your space and optimize your air quality.

The bar and the moisture control will actually be huge steps into increasing equity and value in your home. You have a great idea, research to protect it.

Basement Bar - Prepare Your Space First Pt 1 - Moisture Control

Moisture Control & Measurement For Better Indoor Air Quality

The control of moisture inside a building or ones home is highly important. Moisture inside a structure can cause serious issues that initially may not be detected. Moisture can cause floors to buckle or crack, can cause mold & mildew, odors and unhealthy respiratory conditions. Dust Mites love warmth and high levels of humidity and they're also one of the top allergens. IAQ (indoor air quality) is highly related to the level of moisture in ones workplace or home and high moisture readings is also the leading cause of dwelling deterioration. There are many steps one can take to control moisture and ways to measure moisture. This article will briefly describe ways to prevent moisture and measure moisture.

Preventing moisture is simply not always an easy process. A small amount of moisture is healthy as not enough moisture can cause dryness in the skin and also cause poor respiratory conditions. Signs of excessive moisture in a dwelling can be pipes sweating, damp spots on ceilings, moisture on basement walls, ice forming on windows, mold & mildew growth on walls and many other things. Moisture is created by:

Humidity Control

Normal household conditions such as breathing, cooking, bathing, mopping floors and so on. A normal household produces 2-4 gallons of additional water vapor per day in a home from daily activities Temperature being kept to low in a home or building Poor ventilation Poor drainage around your foundation Clogged gutters

The following are some ways to prevent moisture:

Installing exhaust fans throughout ones home or building can significantly assist in lowering moisture levels in ones dwelling. Exhaust fans should be used when cooking and used when taking a shower. Cloths dryers should be properly vented and always clear the lint from the trap to lower moisture & prevent fires. Gutters should also be maintained as often as possible to assure proper drainage instead of the water sitting causing more moisture. Try to close as much air path leakages from indoor to outdoor. Caulk and use sealants around windows, doors and vents. In the winter if using a humidifier make sure not to close off the room or allow humidity level to get to high. Crawl spaces should be vented well and checked regularly for moisture as this can be a big cause of moisture inside a home. Check often and insulate well. Immediately repair leaky pipes Annual inspections and maintenance of HVAC unit Balance of temperature indoors compared to outdoors. Drastic changes of warmth inside in the winter with the cold outside and vice versa in the summer can cause moisture issues.

Measuring moisture inside a dwelling can be done a few ways. Typically individuals can live comfortably with 25-50 percent humidity and with the temperature between 66-72 degrees. Again the lower the heat or the higher the humidity can all add to the moisture in a dwelling. Humidity levels above 60% do overtime begin to affect ones health. Many tools are available to measure the humidity from consumer tools costing as little as to commercial products costing thousands. A decent tool like the Hygro-Thermometer Pen can be purchased for under a hundred dollars and this tool will simultaneously measure the temperature and humidity.

In summary it is highly important to address any moisture issue inside a dwelling. Proper steps should be taken to control and detect moisture. Proper control of moisture will significantly control any possibility of mold forming inside a dwelling which eventually destroys whatever it may grow on. Likewise by controlling the humidity level you'll also control moisture levels inside a dwelling and live much more comfortably. For further assistance please contact our service team to answer any questions or make any recommendations on chemicals, products or other steps you can take to achieve better indoor air quality with less moisture.

Moisture Control & Measurement For Better Indoor Air Quality

Monitoring Temperature And Humidity Inside The Server Rack

The increased utilization of blade servers has caused the control of heat and humidity in the server racks to become much more critical than previously. These units increase the density of the equipment in each rack and therefore the heat generated. Alarms are necessary at the rack level because a single server overheating will not raise the ambient room temperature enough to set off the room alarm sensors. These rack alarms can provide early problem warning and prevent server damage and the associated network problems in a timely fashion.

These alarms can be at the rack, or by email, or by SNMP traps, or by all three methods depending on the system. There are several different types of sensor systems from several different manufacturers, available at present. One of them is a compact environmental monitor with one onboard temperature sensor and in addition the ability to support up to 16 remote sensors. The system is very small so you don't have to change your system. If you receive a problem alert, you are able to identify the rack and power strip having the trouble, and turn off the individual outlet or reboot it.

Humidity Control

Another power management and control system available is able to track temperature, humidity, airflow, and water at various locations from 15 to 100 feet away. This system needs only limited rack space and can control individual power receptacles. Another system on the market utilizes two sensor probes in each rack, one in front, one in back, to better measure the environment in the rack. This gives you a thermographic view of the temperature range in the rack and can be displayed in color for all the different racks in the computer center. This information can be used to determine the size and location of any additional A.C. or fans or blowers needed to correct a cooling system. It can also assist in the rearrangement, if necessary, of the rack layout and separation of a cold aisle/hot aisle system or any rack system, or when additional racks are added to a functioning system.

The control of heat generation and temperature in the data center continues to be one of the most critical areas. The monitoring of the environment has gone from the room, to the zone, to inside the individual server rack to give a much more precise picture of what is happening and allow better response to emergency conditions.

Monitoring Temperature And Humidity Inside The Server Rack

Better Gardening With Aeroponics

There are many ways of cultivating vibrant, healthy plants indoors. One method that has gained attention of late is aeroponics. Surprisingly, this type of gardening requires neither a huge amount of space nor potting soil to yield impressive results. Aeroponic growing, however, does require specific supplies to create a suitable environment for seedlings and plants.

What is involved in aeroponics?

Humidity Chamber

While everyone is familiar with cultivating plants in soil, this gardening approach exposes the plants' root system to heavily misted air. The mist is not plain tap water, mind you, but rather a nutrient-rich solution. The roots absorb the nutrients readily in an aeroponics system-based environment and conduct them upward throughout the plant structure.

Although the root system is not submerged in either water or a growing solution, this method of plant cultivation is actually considered a variation of hydroponics gardening.

As you may expect, specific equipment is required to simultaneously contain and circulate this mist in a controlled environment. For this reason, an aeroponic system is often fully or partially closed. Such a design, some feel, also provides a barrier against pest infestation or the introduction of disease.

The low down on aeroponics systems

Equipment and complete systems for aeroponics growing are usually available from most locations that sell hydroponics supplies. While there are some similarities between components used for hydroponics gardening and air-based cultivation, they are not exactly alike. For this reason hydroponics supplies cannot be interchanged with aeroponics equipment.

A typical system includes some basic components. First an aeroponics system will include some sort of growing chamber. As mentioned, this chamber can be partially or completely enclosed so that it can control environmental conditions.

A pump mechanism is often included as well. Like hydroponics systems, these gardening environments require a fresh supply of nutrients. The pumping mechanism maintains the correct level of humidity in the growing area and ensures the airflow is active enough to prevent stagnant conditions.

A timing mechanism is also common in aeroponics gardening systems. While hydroponics systems maintain constant fluid levels by default, air based growing requires continuous misting in order to provide a stable growing environment. The timer insures that misting occurs at regular intervals so that growing conditions remain consistent.

Overall benefits

In addition to the convenience of having readily available produce from your indoor gardening efforts, this method of cultivation can provide a healthier crop than possible otherwise. Some feel there is less chance of disease and pest infestation in these gardens. Consequently, the use of pesticides is not necessary. This is particularly good news for gardeners preferring an organic crop.

Better Gardening With Aeroponics

Prevent, Control, and Kill Black Mold

People living in humid regions understand the pain of having mold in their homes. Black molds and mildews grow and develop in places that are moist, dark, untidy and moderately warm. Molds obtain food from dead organic substances. As soon as they found a humid surface they grow and start collecting nutrition from adjacent organic materials.

It's not necessary for them to grow on organic materials only. They often grow on concrete walls and obtain nutrition by degrading organic particles present on the surface or by eating on any adjacent food source.

Humidity Control

To prevent and control mold growth, you need to control moisture content inside your home. Here is a list of actions that help you arrest indoor mold growth.

Steps to control mildews and toxic black molds

1. Moisture is the main life factor; mold cannot grow, develop and reproduce in dry places. So keep your home adequately dry. Use dehumidifier to keep the moisture content low. Install Relative Humidity tracker that alerts you whenever moisture level tends to rise up.

2. Repair plumbing defects and water leakage as soon as possible. You have to keep your home and building dry - no excess water anywhere. So take care of leaky roof, pipe leaks and plumbing problems as soon as possible.

3. Next important factor for black molds to live, grow and develop is food. Make sure your home is neat and clean all the time. If there is no matter to eat, molds won't stay for long.

4. If your home or building is extremely prone to mold attacks, use properly formulated mold cleaning products as an added solution for regular housekeeping. General cleaners and sanitizers won't be helpful for removing mold permanently.

5. Make sure molds have not found their way into the ducts of your air conditioning system or ventilator. Growth at such places is difficult to figure out and the spores spread all over the building easily with the air flow.

6. Take care of your bathroom, kitchen, basement and crawl spaces; actually take extra care of these places as they are very much susceptible to mold growth. Keep the places dry and clean.

7. Install air purifiers to filter airborne particles. That helps you eliminate floating mold spores and hyphal fragments from indoor air. The quality of air that you inhale controls the health of you and other members of your family.

8. Mold-proof, basically moisture-proof paints are available in the market. These emulsions prevent moisture condensation and mold formation on walls.

Kill mold - Mold cleaning process

Once molds start spreading, you need to sketch your plan of action for mold cleaning and mold prevention.

Mold prevention and control process has been mentioned above. While following the instructions, conduct thorough mold cleaning process too.

Molds and mildews are not insects, nor are they pest. So instead of insecticide, pesticide, sanitizer or bleach, use mold cleaning products. Kill mold spray are easy to use and effectively kill black mold and mildews from your home and building.

If you feel lost, take help from professional mold removers of your city.

Prevent, Control, and Kill Black Mold

Air Conditioning - Can Be Used to Remove Humidity and Dampness

Air conditioning has become quite popular among most people in all countries in the world. This appliance is specially imperative in countries where the sun shines brightly and hotly. It's seems like can't live without it since the weather is truly hot and dry outside.

When people think that using the air conditioning can make the temperature cool enough to live comfortably and pleasantly, then they're wrong. The exhaust gas of air conditioner would be truly harmful for the surrounding environment.

Humidity Control

New York Stock Exchange

The fame of air conditioning only rose in the early part of the twentieth century when it was used to ensure that the weather in workplaces was cool enough to allow the workforce to be more productive and work better. Later on, it was adapted for the use in homes and in offices.

In truth, the appliance of the New York Stock Exchange assisted boost the productivity of that August institution and this in turn resulted in making the economy lots more robust and productive as well. It did not take long time before the AC began to be more familiar and everyone that could afford it began to install air conditioners in their offices and homes.

Since the AC could help to remove humidity, it has undoubtedly found widespread acceptance in many countries that have truly humid and hot temperature conditions. However, an air conditioner is not very environmentally friendly and it also consumes lots of electricity.

In conclusion, the use of the AC can make the weather cool enough to live comfortably and pleasantly especially for people who live in extreme weather countries. Nevertheless, the use of air conditioning is not environmentally friendly since its exhaust gas can make the ozone layer become harmed. Also, the use of central AC is one way of making sure that you can enjoy greater relaxation and improve your productivity during the hot weather.

Air Conditioning - Can Be Used to Remove Humidity and Dampness

Benefits of Good Home Ventilation

While we need to seal our homes properly to reduce wasteful loss of heating and cooling, we still need good ventilation. Breathing fresh air is necessary to good health, so if our homes are not properly ventilated our health could easily be adversely affected.

Poor ventilation can cause a build up of allergens, mould and smoke- if you are a smoker or have a smoky fireplace. These and many other allergens can build up and cause respiratory problems for those who suffer from hayfever or asthma. Many people are allergic to dust mites that thrive in a humid climate, so proper ventilation is necessary to eliminate these pests.

Humidity Control

Mould can ruin paintwork, fabrics such as curtains and sofas and even make a home inhabitable if it gets really bad. Mildew and rot can also be the results of high humidity levels.

Humidity levels that are too low can also cause problems. Dry, itchy skin or nose and throat irritation can be caused by low humidity. Timber can dry out and crack due to low humidity; that means that your floor may be noisy when you walk on it. If you have a problem with static electricity, it could be that the humidity levels in your home are too low.

If you're loathe to give up your air conditioning, Advantage Air offers Fresh Air, a stand-alone or fully integrated product that works with your ducted air-conditioning system to give you both the comfort of air-conditioning and the freshness of outside air.

Benefits of Good Home Ventilation

Crawl Space Repair in South Carolina Needs Moisture Control Not Venting

Many homeowners think that the best way to maintain a safe and clean crawl space is by having plenty of venting throughout the area. However, many homeowners and maybe even builders alike don't realize that venting is actually not all that beneficial-- if not detrimental.

South Carolina Crawl Spaces

Humidity Control

It's been estimated that 70 percent of the homes being built in South Carolina have crawl spaces. Since many contractors don't exactly want to put the extra time and expense into sealing and in other words finishing the space, most homes don't come with finished crawlspaces.

What could happen when it isn't sealed, insulated and finished with other beneficial products? Well, there's mold, mildew, condensation, termites, high radon levels, and other environmental problems.

If that list sounds like a lot, that's because it is a lot! Many homeowners are unaware of the influence the space has on their overall home environment but, the crawlspace-- or basement for that matter-- has a huge and vital effect on the home.

Encapsulated VS Vented

When encapsulated, it doesn't have any vents and this is what every homeowner should want and should have beneath their home. This will help control the moisture and thermal issues that many South Carolina crawl spaces experience throughout the year.

As many South Carolina homeowners are aware, mold and decay occur a lot more often than necessary. In fact, if it weren't for the condensation and high relative humidity, many of the issues would go away. So, how does condensation and relative humidity increase in the space?

Temperature

According to Craig DeWitt, PhD, PE, a specialist at RLC Engineering, LLC. and Larry Janesky, the owner and founder of the internationally recognized Basement Systems, Inc. network as well as CleanSpace Crawl Space Encapsulation System-- venting worsens the environment.

"Venting a crawl space actually makes it wetter. A sealed one has several advantages. First, it's dryer, decreasing the likelihood of mold and decay. In addition, wood is stronger when it is dryer, therefore the structure performs better. A decrease in moisture in the crawl space allows air conditioners to run more efficiently, since they have to remove less moisture from the air. Duct insulation also stays dry, maintaining the integrity of the insulation. Humidity levels within the crawl space and house are more uniform from season to season, creating less movement of hardwood floors, interior wood trim and cabinetry," said DeWitt.

Relative humidity, says Janesky, defines how much water is in the air compared to the amount of water the air is actually capable of holding at a specific temperature. So, let's look at an example of a typical hot and muggy day in South Carolina of about 90 degrees with 75 percent relative humidity. Then, let's say your crawl space is 70 degrees, and the surface temperature measured along your walls is about 66 degrees.

When air is pulled into a crawlspace through a vent, the air is then cooled because as we have deduced, the outside air is hotter than the inside air. Then, when the air is cooled by even one degree, the relative humidity rises by 2.2 percent.

Returning to our example, this means that 90 degrees minus 66 degrees is 24 degrees. So we multiply 24 degrees by 2.2 percent and this means the relative humidity will be increased by 48 percent. The once 75 percent relative humidity is now 123 percent.

What Does This Increase in Relative Humidity Mean?

Once the relative humidity is raised above 100 percent, the dew point, the excess humidity is then released in the form of condensation. So, your entire space is now very, very wet. Once it dries out, the mold and fungi will come in to destroy the wood and other organic material.

Oh, and what's the worst part? It's been measured that about a third to a half of the air on the first floor of a home actually originates in the crawl space. In other words-- whatever is in the space is in the rest of your home.

Repair-- The Moisture Solution

Moisture comes from the soil, walls and vents. As a vapor barrier works hard to limit the moisture in your crawl space, you should also consider having a repair expert to encapsulate the space and close the vents.

Crawl Space Repair in South Carolina Needs Moisture Control Not Venting

Humidifier or Dehumidifier - Which is Right for You?

The humidity level within our homes is very important to our health, too much or too little humidity can cause everything from condensation and mold to dry skin and respiratory issues. Our homes and our bodies depend on the right humidity levels to stay strong and healthy.

Humidity is described as the water vapor levels that are in the air that we breathe. When the air warms up, the vapor levels drop. As the air becomes heavy with rain, the levels begin to rise. Either of these extremes causes us to become uncomfortable and more susceptible to illnesses.

Humidity Control

In the winter, the humidity levels tend to be low due to continued use of furnaces and other heating devices. When this happens, we are left with dry skin, lips and eyes, which are uncomfortable, but can be dealt with. However, for some people, especially the very young, very old or those already compromised by sickness, the dryer air can leave them more susceptible to respiratory issues such as bronchitis and asthma.

The use of a home humidifier will bring the air moisture levels to where they need to be. There are several types of humidifiers to choose. A popular type of devise works by warming up water from a reservoir tank, the evaporated water is then dispersed through the home with the use of a fan system. Another system utilizes a continuous mist or steam that is dispersed through the whole house, putting the needed moisture into the air.

A dehumidifier addresses the opposite problem. When the air that we breathe becomes saturated with water, we become uncomfortable, the air is sticky and it is harder to breath. The most common way to deal with this problem is with the use of an air conditioner, which literally sucks the water from the air. This effectively lowers the moisture levels and makes us more comfortable.

If an air conditioner is not an option, the next most common way to control high humidity levels is with the use of a bathroom or kitchen exhaust fan; these are the two places where high humidity levels are frequently found. The exhaust fan pulls the high moisture air out of the room, resulting in a more normal air/water level.

Another way to dehumidify the air in a house is with a dehumidifier. The use of a dehumidifier becomes important in areas of the house that never seem to dry out, such as the basement; or if someone in the home has allergies to mold. Most molds are very common and are not anything to worry about, except in the case of an allergy sufferer. In this case, a dehumidifier should be used in the bedrooms of the person with allergies as well as in or around the high humidity areas of the home.

Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can be found in a size that is right for every house, in fact for every room of the house. They are sold in a variety of stores from home improvement stores to discount chains, from drugstores to online vendors. If you are unsure if the use of a humidifier or dehumidifier is what is needed for your health issues, talk with your doctor, he or she will let you know if the use of one of these devises will alleviate your symptoms.

Humidifier or Dehumidifier - Which is Right for You?

Top Seven Tips For Natural Termite Control

Top seven tips for natural termite control

1. Remove termite food sources
Termites will eat any product that contains cellulose and some that do not. Inadvertently homeowners store all manner of belongings in areas that are easily accessible to termites, the worst place to store items is under your house. Often items are stored in cardboard boxes which themselves are commonly attacked by termites. When the boxes are placed on soil termites have easy access directly into them and their contents. Other commonly attacked items include such things as firewood, stored and waste timbers and furniture.

Humidity Control

2. Reduce moisture sources
There are many different reasons that excess moisture can build up under or next to a building. Leaking pipes are an obvious cause. Often the overflow from the hot water system has a constant drip and this makes for a large moisture source. Drainage and irrigation placed inappropriately can cause a moisture buildup. Gutters that are in poor repair allow moisture buildups. Termites need large amounts of moisture to keep the air in their workings high in humidity. The easier we make it for them to find moisture near our homes the easier termites will enter our homes.

3. Reduce soil levels
Often soil levels around the perimeter of houses are built up to the point that physical termite barriers that have been installed during construction are rendered inoperative. Termite entry to homes where soil or concrete levels are high, is often not detected until large amounts of damage have been done, this is because it is often at the entry point that termites are first noticed but when the entry point is covered by soil they will not be easily detected.

4. Improve ventilation
When ventilation under a home is poor, built up moisture that arrives via a variety of means (see tip number 2) has a very poor chance of drying out if the ventilation is not up to scratch. The theory behind successfully ventilating subfloor areas is that when dry air moves through an area of high moisture it picks up moisture and carries it away depositing it outside the area of concern. Terracotta vents that were put in place historically often do not allow enough air movement for the drying process to happen. The amount of ventilation required varies from building to building and is partially dependant on the terrain where it is constructed. Where this is the case the ventilation may need to be augmented by larger vents or even specially designed fans that will extract large volumes of air quickly and over a long period of time.

5. Improve access
Often when buildings are constructed there are small (and sometimes large) voids that are left with no access to them. This leaves us with several problems, firstly no ability to inspect these areas routinely with the rest of the home. Secondly, voids notoriously contain building waste, often formwork timbers and other items that provide a food source for termites. Finally, where voids are not accessible they are often poorly ventilated creating problems as pointed out in tip 4

6. Plan monitoring points
There will be high risk areas around your home that can be chosen as points to monitor for termite activity on a regular basis. E.g. a timber retaining wall is a huge monitoring point and the gaps between the timbers and at the joins of the timber will become filled with termite mud packing when activity starts. Stumps can be a good monitoring point (though they should preferably be removed) many stumps are used in gardens as a feature and end up covered in vines or other foliage or with a pot plant placed on top, remove the foliage to check along the grain for termite mud packing and make sure you move the pot plant and check under it!

7. Inspect, inspect, inspect.
There is no substitute for professional termite inspections, however if you educate yourself about termites, and the signs that you need to look for when inspecting, you can help to augment the inspection programme put in place by your inspection company. The more regularly that your premises are inspected the earlier any signs of termite activity can be picked up. There are many termite monitoring systems available on the market that can be installed and easily monitored by the homeowner, again the use of these systems augments a professional inspection regime.

Top Seven Tips For Natural Termite Control

Home Inspection Tip - Plan For Radon Testing

Because radon gas seeping from the ground into a home is a health hazard, you should have the home tested for radon levels. This is true whether you're buying, selling or building a home. Your home inspector can do the test or help you find a professional who is qualified to do it.

Radon testing is something that must be planned for. It's necessary to decide where in the home the testing should be done and how long the test will take. No reputable tester can come into a home and test in 30 seconds or even 5-10 minutes. It takes a minimum of 48 hours to test accurately for radon. Some devices require a longer period of time.

Humidity Chamber

Your home inspector or other qualified radon testing professional should know the best place to put radon test equipment. It should go into the lowest level of the home that's occupied regularly, such as any place used as a bedroom, play or exercise area, den or workshop. The EPA says testing should not be done in a closet, stairway, hallway, crawl space or in an enclosed area where there's either high humidity or breezy air circulation. Avoid places like the kitchen, laundry room,bathroom or furnace room.

How long should a radon test take? Here are some considerations. Radon levels vary from day to day and season to season. That means a short-term test is less likely than a long-term test to tell you your year-round average radon level. However, if you need results quickly, a short-term test can be used to decide whether to repair the home.

Short term testing is the fastest, but the test equipment must remain in place for two to ninety days, depending on the device used. Two groups of devices are most commonly used for short-term testing-passive or active. The passive device group includes alpha track detectors, charcoal canisters, charcoal liquid scintillation detectors, and electret ion chambers. The active device group consists of different kinds of continuous monitors.

There are a couple of considerations to keep in mind when short term testing is used. Test accuracy is improved if two tests are taken at the same time. If you have two short term tests done, one right after the other, you'll get a better idea of the seasonal average for radon level readings. Both active and passive devices may have features to help to prevent test interference.

For long-term tests, the test equipment remains in the home for more than 90 days. Alpha track, and electret ion chamber detectors are most commonly used for long term testing. The advantage of a long-term test is that it will give you a reading that is more likely to tell you your home's year-round average radon level than a short-term test. If you're able to allow for 90 days or more to test, long-term tests can be used to confirm initial short-term results. According to the EPA, when long-term test results are 4 pCi/L or higher,the appropriate steps should be taken to repair the home to reduce radon levels.

The office in your state that deals with radon issues can help you and your qualified radon tester to decide on the best testing options.

Home Inspection Tip - Plan For Radon Testing

Desiccant Dehumidifier

Desiccant Dehumidifier is a household equipment that is used to reduce the rate of humidity in the air. The Relative rate of humidity is thirty to fifty percentage, above which will result in the accumulation of microbes. The fungal agents especially form molds at places with high ranges of humidity, which acts as a source for many infections. Other effects of high humidity at home are: condensation that disturbs your sleep and also does not allow laundries to get dried soon. So, dehumidifiers will help you avoid such menace causing situations by keeping your indoor clean and healthy. These are actually used in industries to maintain constant percentage of humidity.. There are different types of dehumidifiers available in the market, of which the desiccant dehumidifier is the most effective and reliable. To begin with, it uses a desiccant material (for example - silica gel) that generates an effect of dehumidification which is very efficient to work at high relative humidity rates.

How it works: This desiccant material has the ability to absorb the water vapour from the atmosphere by consuming heat as a result of which its own vapour content gets increased, which ultimately has to be reduced. The mechanism behind this is the material saturates with the atmosphere's humidity in equilibrium when it is exposed to high humid conditions. It has to be later dehumidified by exposing it to a low humid condition for it to work successfully. This can be compared to a vacuum cleaner in which, only when the dust inside the machine is removed it can further evacuate dust from outside. This device is made up of 4 major components in general. It includes a component designed to keep the desiccant in hold which is of various types, a fan which helps to dehumidify the outside air (called as process air), a heater to heat up the air inside, another fan to use this hot air and dry the humidifier through a holder. Many of us will have a doubt as how to remove the water automatically. You can connect the collection tub that collects water every 9-12 hours to a garden hose or plumbing which drains the moisture inside as and when it gets accumulated. There are provisions in the device that shut downs the machine in case the water in the tub is not drained.

Humidity Control

The drained water is not suitable for drinking or watering edible plants in garden. It may contain some metals like copper, lead, etc which may be dangerous as they start accumulating but otherwise it can be used for irrigation purposes. It also contains few pathogens (especially due to its accumulation in tub) that can cause infection and hence is not potable. If you want to make the water potable you can go for atmospheric water generators that avoid toxic materials and also maintain the tub clean. The recent dehumidifiers have been designed more compact to avoid using more floor space and hence can be incorporated in the false ceiling. The capacity ranges from 1500 cmh to 800 cmh. Recently, many advancements have been made in its looks and structure in order to make it more compatible and other features such as smooth powder-coated surface, non-flammable rotor, non-toxic, eco-friendly and powerful absorbent have been installed.

You can use the desiccant dehumidifier in conjunction with the cooling medium which provides deep drying at low rates of humidity, good operational reliability and also very good scalability. This kind of technology is especially used in fields like pharmaceuticals, confectioneries, breweries, water works, power stations, sports arenas, drying hygroscopic materials etc. This explains the effectiveness of the dehumidifiers.

Desiccant Dehumidifier