How to Lower Humidity in a Home

Managing indoor humidity levels is important. High moisture levels in a home can lead to potentially serious health issues, including asthma, allergies, and various other respiratory illnesses that are triggered by mold, dust mites, peeling lead paint, and pests. If you’ve noticed water leaks or stains, rotting woods, musty odors, rusting or corrosion, and excessive condensation, understanding how to lower humidity in a house is crucial.

Contributing factors to high humidity include high outdoor humidity levels, interior plumbing leaks, inadequate insulation, and poor ventilation. There are several ways to reduce humidity levels in a house, including using a dehumidifier, adjusting air conditioner settings, decreasing drafts with weatherstripping, using ceiling fans, moving houseplants outside, avoiding line drying clothes inside, opening windows, and keeping interior doors open to improve air flow. If these simple solutions do not reduce the humidity level in the home, professionals can implement solutions including sump pump installation, vapor barrier installation, and sealing basement foundation leaks and cracks. Learn about ways to reduce high humidity levels.

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2023-08-29T02:50:55+00:00August 28th, 2023|

My Basement Flooded. What I Wish We’d Have Known to Better Prepare.

A flash flood in a basement is something no one expects, but when torrential rains dump nearly a foot of water in a large basement window well within a 30-minute period, you need to act fast to prevent major damage. A homeowner experienced this situation, finding a large light well shared by two basement bedrooms filled with almost a foot of water during a heavy rain, and water seeping into both rooms, soaking the windowsills, walls, and carpeting. Learn how this homeowner responded to prevent extensive damage, and actions taken to prevent future flooding, including installation of a sump pump in the light well.

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2023-08-08T01:56:41+00:00July 31st, 2023|

What Are Safe Radon Levels in a Home?

Radon, is a radioactive gas released from water, soil, and rocks, is invisible and has no odor. The gas can enter a home through cracks or holes in the foundation or siding, and since radon is invisible and has no smell, there is no way to detect it without performing a test.

Radon gas poses a serious health and safety threat. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), approximately 1 out of every 15 homes has an unsafe radon level – and, no level of exposure to radon gas is considered safe. Interior radon levels vary and can fluctuate over time.

Radon levels are typically highest during winter months. One reason why that snow and ice can form a temporary barrier over the ground, and as a result, seeping into a basement of a home is the easiest way for the gas to travel. Additionally, during winter the warm air inside a home rises and as the warmer air escapes the home, colder air is pulled into the home from below ground, meaning that any radon gas present below the home will also be pulled in with the colder air – this is known as the thermal stack effect.

Basement radon levels are typically the highest, but the gas can be present in the upper levels of a house. Solutions to addressing radon in a home include installing a radon mitigation system, increasing natural ventilation and airflow, sealing foundation and basement wall cracks, and installing an air purifier.

Learn about radon gas, common levels found in a home, and ways to mitigate the issue.

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2023-06-30T11:03:48+00:00June 26th, 2023|

Who to Call for a Mold Inspection

If a mold problem is suspected in a home, the first service provider to contact is a mold inspection and remediation company. These service providers have the experience and equipment to inspect a home for mold. A mold inspection can be particularly useful if there has been a water or flooding issue in a home, as mold could be forming in areas that are not visible. Mold inspections typically cost between $300-$500 with additional costs for testing, which is usually between $200-$350. A mold inspector may also perform a basic mold air test. These tests will determine if remediation services are required. The best way to control mold in a home is to reduce or eliminate moisture in the home. Identifying and fixing water leaks, ensuring adequate room ventilation, and using a HVAC system and dehumidifier are ways to reduce the likelihood of a mold infestation. It is important to identify and address mold issues quickly, as mold in a home can cause health issues, including congestion, wheezing, and red or puffy eyes as well as other symptoms. Workers who have direct and extended exposure to large amounts of mold are likely to see more severe health reactions such fever, shortness of breath, and possibly asthma. Learn how to identify mold issues and solutions for remediation.

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2023-01-24T00:45:51+00:00January 13th, 2023|

What Should I Do If My Sump Pump Runs Without Rain?

In general, a sump pump that’s working continuously without rain is experiencing an issue that needs to be fixed. However, there are troubleshooting steps to take before hiring a plumber that may help you determine the cause of the problem. Common causes of a sump pump running without rain include a rise in the water table or an increase in groundwater, melting snow, a broken float switch on the sump pump, and a clogged sump pump drain line.

Sump pumps last approximately 7-10 years, but can burn out faster if they’re too small for the volume of water or not maintained. If the sump pump is experiencing issues, it is best to hire a professional to diagnose the failure, recommend a replacement, and install it. The average cost to install a sump pump is $1,200. The cost is dependent on whether you need a pedestal or submersible pump, the size of the required sump pump, and labor cost for installation. Learn more about sump pump failure and actions to address causes.

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2022-08-17T02:01:50+00:00August 15th, 2022|
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