The Impact of Winter Weather on Mold Growth in Your Home

The mold issues in winter weather can actually be quite severe. Combine the warm, often unventilated indoor air and sources of moisture and you could have a potentially toxic combination. While only some strands of mold are toxic, you still want to get rid of the harmful spores, because it could cause structural damage inside your home. It is also important to learn how the winter weather encourages the growth of mold, because that is one of the only ways to prevent it. The last thing you want is a mold outbreak, because hiring a specialized abatement team to remove the mold can be expensive and time consuming. Here is how the winter weather impacts mold growth in your home.

 

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One of the easiest ways for winter weather to create mold growth is through leaks in your home - otherwise known as energy leaks. If you have older windows, you may experience an issue with condensation as the cold outdoor air meets the warm indoor air. This condensation can start to cause mold spores to grow around your window frames - the mold can then continue to grow around your windows and spread to the rest of your home. This is why it is important to find these leaks and then seal them.

Another way for winter weather to cause mold in your home is through leaks in your roof. Leakage in your roof can be frustrating, because it can be hard to find the source. In most cases, the source is located in your roof - you may have a fracture in one of the main panels or you may have something more serious going on. For instance, if your attic isn't insulated, it can cause the warm air from your heating system to rise and melt snow and ice on your roof. This can cause saturation and the moisture can leak into your home. This is why you may want to think of adding insulation.

Next, you may also be experiencing moisture from overflowing rain gutters. In especially torrential rainstorms, the rain can spill over and into your home. This is why it is so imperative to clean out your rain gutters before the winter weather starts to pick up. Even snow can become a problem, because it pack densely in your gutters and melt. So, be sure to remove a much leaves, branches and other obstructions, because it will ultimately free up a major headache later on down the line.

In the end, the winter weather can encourage mold growth in a number of different ways. Mold is a serious issue, because even though not all strands can cause negative health conditions - it can still be a nuisance. Mold can disrupt your quality of life in a number of ways - it can smell, it can cause peeling paint and other structural weakness, and it can be expensive to get rid of. So, it is critical that you remove all the issues that could cause mold - this is your best defense and the best way to prepare your home for the winter.

A Wind Vane

A wind vane is located to determine the wind direction. This yellow wind vane captured at the take off spot of paragliding sport at Mount Banyak (Batu, East Java, Indonesia).

Monday Mellow Yellows

Deer and Shadows

I captured this white-spotted deer from behind the fence that surrounds the Bogor Palace last week. The shadows show it, right?

Deer and playful shadows

  There are many deer live in the Palace front yard, but only some deer dare enough nearing the fence and visitors. 

The Weekend in Black and White

Tips on Garden Shed Construction

Home backyard looks more beautiful with a shed. With tools and equipment properly stored in it, garden space will not be limited. There will be enough places for family outdoor activities, vegetable beds and greenhouse. That is why shed construction should not be taken for granted. Home owners must consider this an important project much like to building their house. It may sound difficult at first but you can get ideas from online resources so you can put up your own dream garden shed.

In learning how to construct a shed, here are some things for consideration.

Size matters. There are various sizes for sheds. An 8x12 shed would be a great size for working or storing tools. A 10x10 shed can fit all your stuff. If you have a smaller garden, then a 6x6 shed would be a better choice. Picking the right size is the initial step to a successful shed construction. Choose the best size that meets your purpose and fits well on the available space in your yard.

Shed Permit. You may be required to seek permit when building your shed. It is said that the larger the shed, the greater chance that you will need a permit. Know the standard requirements in your area. Normally they would ask for your building plan, accomplished forms, contractor license and even insurance.

DIY or prepared shed plans. You can save time with DIY shed plans. There are great shed designs readily available for purchase. This comes with construction plans and building lessons instructing you on how to put up your new shed.

The Different Types Of Shed

Fabric Sheds. All sheds with fabric covering, polyethylene and canvas fall on this category. With technology today, you can have them with anti-fungal agents and UV resistance.  Fabric sheds are inexpensive and this could be the quick solution to your need. It is great for temporary shelter. The disadvantage is that fabric will easily tear. Usually there is no built in floor for this type of shed so whatever you put inside will get wet when heavy rain comes.

Plastic Sheds. Designed for outdoor use, the plastic material is quite hard, of high density and UV resistant.  Plastic floor is easy to clean making home owners happy to have them in their yard. While it is value for money, it does not stand extreme temperatures.

Metal Sheds. With coatings and build quality improved, shed manufacturers opt for this type. You can find decent and inexpensive shed made out of this material. If installed properly, steel buildings are long lasting with little maintenance required. The problem though is that it is prone to rust and corrosion.

Wood Sheds. The natural characteristic of wood makes a classic garden shed. The material is strong and solid making it still the top choice for shed building. Wood has imperfections too and it requires proper care and maintenance. Pests are very attracted to it.

For your shed to be reliable, know the advantages and disadvantage of each type before finally deciding which to buy.

About the author: Kenneth Lawrence is a passionate "handyman". His crafts involve DIY home improvement concepts. He likes to share guidelines and tips about stuff on home improvement. He reads almost anything that can hone his skills and increase his knowledge about DIY concepts. He shares this great resource http://zacsgarden.com/how-to-build-a-shed/which-one-do-i-need/sheds-by-size/top-10-best-8x6-sheds for building your garden shed.   

LIGHTING THAT CAN TRANSFORM YOUR SPACE WITH SPECTACULAR FASHION

Well, congratulations on purchasing that new house of yours. Now that you are done with all the legal formalities involved, you must be thinking of how to lend it the much necessary touches to feel like a home. Furniture, gadgets, paints and so on will feature on your to do list, this time. However, one of the most important aspects that you need to pay close attention to is the lighting you introduce in your house. Regardless of interiors or exteriors of your house, lighting plays a pivotal role in transforming the overall appearance.

You need to get this correct; as this is particularly an aspect that can not only define your feeling towards your home, but also leave a lasting impression on the mind of visitors to your home. In order to achieve proper fittings and lighting arrangements, you need to understand the purpose of every room. Since, lighting can set the mood and contribute to your productivity levels considerably; a lot of thought and effort must be given in choosing the correct one.

Every room has got a personality of its own and it is best complimented by the type of lighting included in it. The amount of illumination required in bedroom will not be similar to that of study. Similarly, kitchen will need a different setting of lighting arrangement, which will be quite unlike the living room. Although kitchen and living room both need intense lighting set ups to brighten up the space; what can go in kitchen, will not be effective enough in case of a vast living room. On the other hand, study rooms require proper overhead lighting that illuminates the workspace and helps people to execute their paperwork there. So, it requires detailed and careful consideration of what sort of lighting goes inside your home to make you feel comfortable and at ease.

Even there are some factors to consider when lighting up bedrooms. A young couple can enjoy bright hues in their room, but this change in case of older couples. Generally, old age brings in lot of health issues, of which eye sight troubles is a major one. Fixing up soft and subtle lighting that soothes the eye is the perfect choice for them. This creates a pleasing ambience and makes them relax. Then again, children’s room need to have a mix of both subtle and bright lights.

Things become better when the illumination level of every room can be regulated. This allows you to have liberty to change the feeling every room in the house generates, depending on the occasion at hand. So, if it is a quiet dinner you are planning with your family, you can reduce the illumination level and enjoy a peaceful candlelit dinner. Again, with only a turn of a knob you can change the ambience and get ready to welcome all to an amazing party. On the whole, irrespective of the occasion, you can have a nice time with wonderful lighting arrangements.

There are three layers of lighting that you can benefit from. These are task, accent and ambient. Task allows you to focus on areas where you will be carrying on with work, such as lighting under cabinet in a kitchen or lighting fixed in study room cabinets. Accent, on the other hand, are lighting that highlights certain elements of a room, such as sconces shedding light on a remarkable piece of artwork. Finally, ambient takes care of the entire overhead space. A smart and strategic blending of all these layers in various ways can create a spectacle in your household that will not only make you feel good, but also receive appreciation from your guests.

Using Original BTC (British manufactured) lighting or Astro Lighting as well as any other designer of classic yet contemporary lighting can change the entire space of your home and enhance its appeal incredibly. From pendant lights to wall, floor and table lights, every variety from such a reputed manufactures can create wonders to each and every room of your house. And if you think you have selected quite a great lot for the interiors, just take a step outside with light bulbs from these providers and get ready to turn exterior of your home around as well. With so many possibilities, you can hardly afford to miss out on producing the desired effect.