You’d be forgiven for thinking that people in the Western World live in relatively good conditions - but did you know that nearly half of all houses in Europe and North America have serious damp and mold problems.  Anyone who’s moved house recently will probably have come across many properties with damp, stained walls and even growth of mold spores.  But most people aren’t even aware of the problem.  Damp and mould problems are often in hidden corners of your home and many times it resides inside walls where you can’t see it.

Illnesses
Damp has been linked with an alarming range of illnesses.  Most common are allergic reactions and flu-like symptoms like sneezing, sore eyes, coughing and wheezing.Far worse is the recent study in the UK which linked damp with causing asthma in children.  Damp can also cause serious respiratory problems in the long run.  Another recent study even revealed a connection between mold and depression!

Causes
Want to know how damp and mold get into your house in the first place?First things first - mold is natural, and has been around for centuries - in small amounts its harmless.  But the real problems occur when it is allowed to spread and develop fungal spores.  Mould builds up as a result of too much humidity in the air combined with a lack of proper ventilation for the moisture to escape.The air inside a home becomes naturally humid after things like showers, cooking or tumble drying.However it needs to escape somewhere!Inadequate ventilation sometimes occurs because builders don’t take care to properly damp proof a new house.  It also down to lack of proper ventilation.  This is becoming more and more common these days as we seal up our homes to keep the heat in and reduce energy costs.

Prevention is better than cure
We should all concern ourselves with preventing mould developing in our homes. This is true even if your home doesn’t have any damp.  Once it takes hold, it can be very difficult and expensive to get rid of it.  Here are some top tips on how to avoid damp buildup in your home or workplace:

1. Dry up any build up of condensation you notice around the house within 24-48 hours.If you take away the moisture, you leave no chance of mold building up in the first place.
2. Give the moisture in your house an escape route by getting proper ventilation.  Consider installing air vents or opening a window after showers.
3. Consider getting insulation put in on cold surfaces prote to attracting condensation - such as piping, windows and roofs.
4. It’s well worth considering investing in one of the many dehumidifiers out there to remove moisture from the atmosphere.  Certain portable air conditioners also do the job, with the added bonus of keeping you cool in the summer.
5. Understand the law.  If a damp problem really takes hold it can ruin your life and bank balance. Find out from your home insurance to see if your policy covers mold damage. Those living in rented accomodation should ask their landlord to have damp and mold professionally looked at.

Tags: General by Tom
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Decking has become very popular in outdoor living and deck designs are virtually endless. The choice we have is endless!

Deck design features a number of materials such as concrete, stone, tile, etc. In looking through deck designs there are some beautiful examples of pool deck design using wood. Why settle on wood?

Concrete and wood are a similar price for basic details. Cold climates tend not to go with tiles and they are expensive. You can proof against slipping over when designing a deck by having spaced joints. The most important things that will help choose your choice will be your budget and suitability.

Privacy screens can be a really nice addition to a deck design as long as there is a good balance between achieving privacy and completely shutting out the space around us.

An area roughly 12×12 minimum should be allowed for the deck design in which to place the hot tub. The tub should be situated so that it is not overlooked by the neighbours! It is also good to be within easy reach of the house entrance.

Besides the tub being placed well, screened from view, and easy to get in and out of the other thing to consider is that the hot tub should be level to the deck, or for choice about 18” above it.

It is a good idea to place some sort of seating arrangement nearby to the hot tub and then surround by a screen with maybe a pergola above it. If there is access for children you need to lock the hot tub lid.

Decking can also be used to build up to a swim spa which has been partly recessed into the ground. This gives the illusion of it being sunken into the ground and blends well in your garden. Hot tub cabinets come in a variety of colours which blend with different deck designs.  They come in a choose of mahogany, red wood or slate. These are all maintenance free cabinets so wont require any staining in the future.

Tags: General by Tom
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