Showing posts with label moisture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label moisture. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

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

Monday, November 14, 2011

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

Sunday, November 6, 2011

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

Friday, September 30, 2011

Understand and control the flow of moisture families to avoid moisture

If the moisture can sneak its way into a house, can create many problems with the humidity it causes. Topping the list are physical damage (structural and in some cases), allergies, mold, odors, loss of energy efficiency.

If to avoid these problems and improve your humidity, air quality and the effect of stifling humidity and increase your energy efficient home you want, then here are some tips for you to think. One of the most important things isHumidity control. If you avoid the negative consequences of the damp from moisture and increase energy efficiency in homes, then you first need to effectively control the humidity in your home.

Humidity Control

To improve the flow of water moisture around your home, the following three things have to be concentrated.

1) Penthouses
2) the foundation / basement
3) The walls

To effectively control the flow of moisture through a house, you must understand the basics ofas it moves. The three options, the moisture moves through a house in the most typical are: 1) Over The heat transmission 2) With the rise 3) currents of air.

By far the most important way moisture travels through the water vapor in the wall cavity by diffusion. The air throughout the course of the underlying physics has always been an area of ​​high concentration of moving (external) to an area of ​​low concentration (inside) in each hole. Transfer of moisture through the flow of air flow is by far the quickest method, the cracksand holes in the walls to enter the number one reason why this should be completed and effective

The other method of dissemination, transfer of heat through the materials and lasts much longer and household materials uasual are already very well prevent this, together with the insulation, which helps reduce heat transfer.

There will also be useful to fully understand exactly how moisture appears on a budget. First, water is usually carried out inthe air, the warmer the air is held in position over the water. If you keep the air temperature is reduced, sooner or later hit a level where it does not take a position in the water longer. This is known as the dew point, if the humidity is close to the surface condensation and cold start to cause problems.

Thus, vapor diffusion retarder equipped decent, filling in all the cracks and holes and keeps a good flow of air, the easiest and most effectiveto control the spread of moisture and humidity. If you still have problems with moisture, then seriously consider using a dehumidifier home (Ebac dehumidifiers come highly recommended) are very effective to extract moisture from the air, even in very wet conditions. If you follow the above guidelines then you should be able to protect more effectively the problems of steam and moisture with a dehumidifier or without home

Understand and control the flow of moisture families to avoid moisture

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Moisture Master

They are literally flying off the handle, to discover the source of the moisture in the cellar behind? Well, if your basement is too damp, can easily be a nuisance for any home.

A cellar is a very important asset for any home use square meters, if you want to use the basement for extra storage, a home office, bedroom or additional living space for your family.

Humidity Control

Keller, usually below ground level, tend tocooler outside air, so that the result of condensation problems. In these cases, our homes act as the intake air from lower levels and new chimneys, through the upper levels to escape.

There are many reasons why a basement, the moisture problem. Let us know at first the road, there is a water problem and discuss ways to address these problems show.

Indications of moisture Basement

Cracks and leaks in the foundation, walls and floors Efflorescence, white,chalky stains Rotten wood Condensation on the pipes are not insulated and the windows Loose insulation or wet Moist soils Moldy walls Wet or damp carpet Smells moisture / mildew and odors

Uncontrolled humidity

Uncontrolled humidity in the basement of the house can then mold and mildew can grow at breakneck speed and cause health problems, water and structural weakening.

However, there are steps you can take a house to keep moisture in the basementControl and safe and dry place to store your valuables or to create a cozy and comfortable.

Step 1-Take care of your gutter system

At regular intervals, check your gutters and downspouts on the outside of your home. Gutters the right to divert the rainwater away from the foundation of your house, like a wet, tend to contribute to moisture problems.

Phase 2 of the sloping ground at the foundation

Although it is not the easiest taskrun, we strongly recommend that the slope of the ground around the base of your home, let the water run away from home.

To do this, tilt the earth around your home in a quality of 2%. The ground should not be tilted at home in all directions. This is also to redirect rain water away from the house to do a dry cellar.

Step 3 Fix Leaks

This could be the most important step of all. Fix any leaks and all. You are preventing abig problem. They will never dry in a basement if it is always small losses. At least once a month to check for leaks or drips in the basement. This includes water pipes and areas around your bathtub, shower and toilet corner.

Step 4-weather

It 'a good idea to weatherproof windows and doors of your home. This task can be achieved, but an in-expensive sealing the tube.

Step 5-The Spigot

If your house is an outside tap, to checkLosses. Even with minimal effort, a leaky faucet and an erosion of concrete to create puddles. If you find a leak, take the road that you can save some money. Call your local plumber and have him repair the leak, then you must take care not to worry about maintenance and repair of a foundation in ruins.

Step 6-Dehumidifier

Humidity in a small space tends to create condensation. Consider putting a dehumidifier in the basement. The SaniDry XP ™ is a high capacity, high efficiencyDehumidification system. It is actually the best dehumidification system on the market today.

Ask an expert

Above all, please contact your local and trusted expert basement waterproofing.

Moisture Master

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Moisture and pest control of bonsai plants

Growing bonsai is not as easy as you might think. There are many different factors to improve a beautiful bonsai plants. An important factor is fertilizer.

Most soluble fertilizers to fertilize the first full strength every two weeks. Just remember the water is to use half the power stuff for bonsai, this is a parable, is, as instructed. For tropical continue until new growth is evident to fertilize them.

Humidity Control

Minor points to consider, but the important ones forInternal growth is the movement of air, moisture and insect / disease control. In winter, you want to know for perhaps a minute too delicate fan that blows air through the system. The humidity is maintained seriously concerned about a moderate climate-stressed plants inside. For many of the inexperienced grower, fogging mantra is to show a method that you care, but many plants it does not matter. Misting plants a couple of times a day, in my opinion, a process without value. The only thing that is just how it happens thatThey build on the leaves salt as the water dries. If you fog the whole area around the plant for moisture, then you have some 'useful, but at home this usually is not possible.

Instead, create moisture filling the facility on a bed of pebbles in a large pan with the water low. Do not let water touch the pot really. The pot theme, so much the better, this could help keep the algae and other animals, because it is only on the entire volume of waterevaporate every day.

To control insects and diseases will essentially start when you do all the above, as an active healthy plant that will be in a position of having to resist. Turn the page and look at weaving or waste. A healthy leaf is completely clean, except for certain types of hair. Mites are easily visible with a magnifying glass and see the human eye. 2 spotted mites are smaller and can actually difficult to detect.

Mites, aphids, woolly aphids, scale insectsand almost all types of pests can be controlled if it is early and sprayed with insecticidal soap acceptable. These soaps can be toxic to some species and the leaf damage, so try a few leaves first to make sure. For cases terribly annoying, you may need to chemical pesticides. Follow the instructions carefully for good.

These tips will help you control pests that could ruin your bonsai plant.

Moisture and pest control of bonsai plants

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Moisture can destroy your house plants

Moisture, the moisture in the air at the expense of growth of house plants. The humidity in your home is a rare phenomenon, or to have an eye on your plants to keep them in order to ensure that they are not attacked by moisture. If red, to detect mold or mildew on plants, it is time to act, because the moisture has penetrated the system.

Humidity, high or low, plants in the same way. Decompose at high humidity the plants with low humidity andThe plants wither and die. You can see, low humidity, when you see the brown leaves, fall flower plant buds. Winter months are especially dangerous for plants indoors, because the humidity is low and then add on home heating systems are used to keep warm.

Humidity Control

To keep your plants alive and well have to control the humidity inside the house. If the humidity is low you can install a humidifier in the house that will provide sufficient moisture forplants. On the other hand, if the humidity is high leverage, you can install dehumidification. This way you can monitor the humidity in your home.

The next thing you need to ensure that plants are watered regularly. Do not keep a tight schedule for the irrigation of crops. You should check the soil every day and make sure that the soil is wet. Paste will keep a lot of manure in the soil, the water for a long time. The sandy soil should not, because the water is running outsandy soil quickly. And not to keep the plants in a place where the wind is strong, it will also evaporate the water from the plant quickly.

In the event that you have a number of small potted plants, make a large tray and fill it with rocks and water. Then put the pots on pebbles so that the pots are above water level. The water evaporates from the tray retains moisture for plants. Humidity control allows the sun to growhealthier plants.

Moisture can destroy your house plants

Friday, July 8, 2011

Dehumidifiers Energy saving - Tips for cutting moisture without breaking the bank

It seems that almost everyone has basement moisture problems. Where did all that water?

Moisture can come to your home course in the spring air, or in summer, through open windows and doors, or loss, if the heat or air conditioning is running. For example, poorly sealed windows and doors, cracks in the wall of the external plaster in old houses, cracks in the ceiling upstairs, or poorly sealed loft hatches are all sources of unwanted outside air. Allair from the house, like a wood fire, kitchen fans suck, gas water heater or an oven at low or medium efficiency also push the air through these areas recently sealed.

Humidity Control

This possibility, you can cut the humidity, is to limit the flow of fresh air, especially in case of rain. This is not only to reduce moisture problems, but will save on heating and cooling bills as well.

Water can penetrate through the basement walls from the outside. It is necessary to direct surface water away, seal theOutside the base to improve drainage at the base, and can seal the interior walls as well.

Human activities such as breathing, sweating, shower and kitchen, can also humidity, when the house closed. This can be up to 20 liters of water per day to your door.

Surface water is his way down

Stagnant water in the driveway, or merger of a gutter, finds its way downhill. If porous soil around theHome or a crack between the sidewalk and the house is, the flow of water through soil or cracks to reach the water table or otherwise stopped. As soon as you can not scroll, scroll through the beginning, when filtered through your foundation.

So to avoid surface water to collect on the walls of your home. Keep gutters of leaves and correctly angled, and downspouts in order to perform their drain removed from the house. Your path should slopeaway from home, or you can keep a bead of mortar on the wall between the driveway and the house of water that collects in the driveway work his way along the foundation walls.

Gardens, lawns and other surfaces should also slope away from home, and if you have a sump pump should drain well and freely for the house.

Groundwater finds its way into

Keeping in groundwater is a bit 'difficult and can be expensive. SealingEntrepreneur can dig a ditch outside of its foundation, and apply a sealant to the outer walls below ground. They should also improve filling the trench with gravel and sand in the sewers, and can install tile drainage on the bottom to the water table to fold into the floor of the cellar.

A cheaper alternative if you are in the basement walls are exposed to stains on the walls to form a hard surface clean and free of debris or sweat minerals, and use aparging connection - a subtle mix malta - the seal on the inside of the walls to improve. This works for minor moisture problems, but no solution if you are serious damp basement are.

Reduce the production of moisture in the house

To produce the moisture you can help each cut to prevent moisture problems. You can not stop breathing, but you can cook with the lid on the pot and run the hood of boiling water, you can have shorter showers or run the fan in the bathroom whenShowers clock, and, for aquariums, indoor plants, ornamental fountains and other possible sources of moisture.

Take the humidity, but not heat

If you have problems with moisture in winter and your house is newly built and well insulated, it may be that your house is sealed too tightly. A well sealed home reduces heating costs, but if the humidity is well sealed building, as off-gas, plastics, wood, carpets and other materials that can harm your health.A heat exchanger could be a better choice than a dehumidifier, if this is your problem. Heat exchanger so that the airflow in and out of your house during the recording of much of the heat on the way out.

Energy efficient dehumidifier Fund

We try to describe how humidifiers work, their ability to judge, as energy efficient dehumidifier will be evaluated, and how to choose the best for your situation.

Dehumidifiers remove moisture from air by a compressor, condenser coils and fan.They work like refrigerators, except that its cooling power is used to condense water from air. They have a humidistat, which run until the humidity reaches a lower threshold holds together, or until the tank is full, whichever comes first.

Dehumidifiers are based on the space of production capacity - how much water from the air in a day - and fuel - how much water they have. In the United States, is designed production capacity in pints per day and is evaluatedLiters. In many other countries, the extraction liters per day and is rated in liters.

Once the tank is full, do not pull out the moisture until it is empty. If your dehumidifier placed near a basement drain, you can use a hose from the tank into the drain, so as not to empty the tank. (Most dehumidifiers have an opening for a hose.) You run a tube is not an option, make sure to buy a car with a tank of sufficient capacity.

Power FactorOpinion

The energy factor is the number of dehumidifiers liters or gallons of water from the air per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity removed. The higher the value of power factor, the more efficient the dehumidifier. The bigger the better - in contrast to the ranking of efficiency for other types of devices.

ENERGY STAR dehumidifiers have energy factors ranging from 3.56 (the best) to 1.2 (the worst) with an average rating of 1.62. Only two manufacturers, and Therma-Stor ProductsMunters Corporation, doing dehumidifier by a factor greater than 2.2.

But remember that an assessment does not mean that the ENERGY STAR dehumidifier is very energy efficient - only low energy consumption compared to some others in its class. For example, Energy Star rated dehumidifiers have a lower energy factor of 1.2, while the highest energy factor is 2.02 and the worst thing for a non-ENERGY STAR dehumidifier is rated 1.0.

Always buy a dehumidifier that can handle the humidityin your home. They are usually not necessary pint-per-day score over 25, unless your basement is very humid and at least 1,200 square feet of space, at least 1,500 square feet and wet, damp or mold and usually (but not wet ) with at least 1,800 square meters.

On the other hand, a greater capacity for ENERGY STAR units are usually more energy due to different thresholds of a nominal capacity of the dehumidifier efficiently. So do not skimp and buy a unit of capacity is too low -overestimate underestimate that.

If your basement can be very cold to get a dehumidifier model can withstand lower temperatures. Otherwise, the icing on the coils cold basement, which will make it less efficient and can quickly lead-off cycling because of the engine. If you listen to this behavior, turn off the dehumidifier until the ice has melted and fell. If the problem persists, you may need to switch to a unit designed for cooler temperatures.

CutEnergy costs, with what you use dehumidifiers

If your basement is damp, and you run the dehumidifier to keep the doors locked in the cellar, so that the moist air to penetrate from above.

Keep your dehumidifier and fan clean and free of dust. Some dehumidifiers include a washable air filter to remove dust, if you have one, keep it clean.

If you have an old dehumidifier to replace it with a new, adequately sized dehumidifier, Energy Star rated, andManage your sources of moisture, as well as you can, you could reduce energy consumption by half or even two-thirds of what you were before you pay for the same moisture control. But more likely, you will use the energy a little 'less with a dehumidifier replacement, while the much better humidity control, or you will be more energy (if you do not have a dehumidifier), but you're much more convenient.

Considering how much evidence turns up on the health effects of indoor air humidity andWhat mold will surely benefit the humidity of your problems and the purchase of energy-efficient dehumidifiers. You can not set a price for good health!

Dehumidifiers Energy saving - Tips for cutting moisture without breaking the bank

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Temperature and moisture in pharmaceutical testing

Pharmaceutical products are covered by some of the strictest regulations of any product out there. Product testing to changing environmental conditions must be recorded with two temperature sensors and humidity accurate and reliable data-logging software.

These tests control process is called the stability test, since test materials are analyzed for any significant deterioration or physical changes during the different temperature and relative humiditySettings.

Humidity Control

The stability of a pharmaceutical product is a measure of deterioration during the period in which its properties are provided and features to be able to withstand certain limits. All items for the diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, prevention of disease undergo a form of tests, often several times in product development, development of drugs for the selection of packages.

Temperature and humidity are just aPart of a test system stability. On older systems use bulky tubes large, all samples included. The disadvantages of air chambers that can be tested samples of temperature and relative humidity setting in equipment that requires a lot of space and high management costs. Table unit stability test, or "smallest unit of stability test" allow for many different sensor data at the same time be registereda relatively small amount of physical space.

Calibration for temperature and humidity sensors

In general, the temperature sensors require less calibration, because they tend to maintain a higher degree of accuracy. The humidity sensor has an accuracy of calibration can move frequently at higher temperatures. This is not a significant problem if the product should be tested for relatively low temperature ranges, but the control requiresCycling on a wide range of temperatures, then a robust temperature-humidity sensors with frequent calibrations are recommended.

When purchasing new and used units, it is also appropriate to ensure that the calibration with the purchase (do not forget to ask if the certificates are traceable to the regions and which are valid) are provided. A calibration certificate is a minimum requirement to comply with international standards.

Several international validationRequirements also govern the manner of use of electronic signatures, electronic data stored, and other requirements of the computer system is to test the stability. Not only should the sensors must be compatible, but also stores all its data. Who could be interested in further reading to do well, the FDA GMP requirements Eudralex 21 Volume 4 of reference.

Temperature and moisture in pharmaceutical testing