Mold and Your Health

~ courtesy info from the Dumpster Diva at Bin There Dump That

One tends to think of something that grows as having life and being categorized as either a plant or animal.   Mold, however, is neither plant nor animal, yet it can grow and reproduce by making spores. It has a life of its own and can negatively impact your health. 

It belongs in the Fungi Kingdom, and unlike a plant, mold does not get energy from the sun via photosynthesis.   The sun, in fact, inhibits the growth of mold, which sort of eats its way along, most commonly fulfilling its mission to break up decaying stuff like dead plants or animals.   Mold spores can survive severe conditions like drought where normal mold growth is not likely to occur until wetness or humidity returns.

Mildew is a form of mold, and the most common place in the house to find mildew is shower stalls and basements -- warm, humid, wet or damp, dark environments.   Surprisingly, neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor another government entity has issued standards on mold or mold spore levels, so there are no building regulations. 

Mildew forms a thin, white, gray or greenish layer while the less frequent "black mold" has a green-black hue and grows on surfaces with a high cellulose content like paper, wood, fiberboard and gypsum board, all common building materials.   While mold can do some serious damage to your home's structural elements like walls, floors, ceilings and upholstered furniture, it can really raise havoc with the health and well-being of residents in a poorly ventilated or cared-for house.

According to the Florida Department of Health, there are four kinds of health problems related to mold:

• allergic illness
• irritant effects
• infection
• toxic effects

The most vulnerable people to mold health risks include infants, children, elderly people with respiratory or lung conditions and those with weakened immune systems from ongoing treatments or recent illness.   The most common symptoms of an allergic or highly sensitive reaction to the presence of mold may or may not be linked to mold:

• running nose and sneezing
• coughing or wheezing
• redness or itchy eyes
• rash or skin irritation
• asthma attacks
• fever (less common)
• breathing difficulty (less common)

There are some routine maintenance and awareness measures which can reduce the incidence of mold in your house:

• check plumbing for leaks a few times a year
• use A/C or a dehumidifier in hot or warm months
• maintain good ventilation at all times
• keep indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent max
• refrain from installing carpets in basements and bathrooms
• have and use an exhaust fan in every bathroom
• clean up quickly and thoroughly after a rain or water incident

Some of the most common places for mold outside your home which might cause distress to people with a sensitivity to the odor or presence of it include, not surprisingly, antique shops and lake or oceanfront summer cottages.   Also, greenhouses and flower shops, saunas, farms and construction areas can have the kinds of conditions where mold thrives

Being educated in mold conditions and its effects on health are key to avoiding the associated illness and discomfort, as well as potentially connecting the dots should symptoms arise. 

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer

Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
You'll wish that summer could always be here.

            The song peaked on the billboard in the top 10 in 1963, but the words sung by Nat King Cole, written by Charles Tobias, have stuck with every generation. We are once again in the throes of those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.

            The beaches beckon, golf courses are in full swing and families are flocking to the whole state for camping, swimming, windsurfing, fishing, Disney-ing, cruising and watching the sun set into the glorious horizon throughout the Tampa Bay region. It's hot outside most days, so:

v drink plenty of water

v wear lightweight, loose-fitting, cotton clothes

v always wear a hat

v put on sunglasses

v eat light

v take showers and baths for cooling

v seek out shady outdoor venues or A/C indoor ones

v use sunscreen

            However, the long days and warm temps also are perfect for home renovation or spruce up projects. Your first stop should be Bin There Dump That for a dumpster rental. Even if you are simply power washing your house, you'll likely find some broken gutters or downspouts, branches, leaves and debris that have rested on your property from somewhere else. Summer is great for painting, roofing, staining decks, screening a porch or adding a sunroom.

            It is wise to have your air conditioning unit checked annually, and the beginning of summer, when it's likely to run the most, is the best time. A heat pump can use up to 50% more energy when it's not in optimum condition. Change your filters, switch ceiling fan rotation and check all your screens for those nights when you can sleep with fresh air wafting around inside.

            Remember that you don't need to be a tourist from afar to enjoy your own hometown. If there's a museum you haven't been to recently, a beach full of memories you haven't walked on years or a bucket list fishing excursion you always want to go on, summer break is the perfect time. Be a little lazy, hazy and crazy yourself.

Flood Resources

There's more flooding in Florida than any other state, and the Internet if chock-full of resources for planning and preparation measures, as well as dealing with flooding at home or in the streets. Floridadisaster.org is the online home of SERT, State Emergency Response Team. Its mission is "to ensure that Florida is prepared to respond to emergencies, recover from them and mitigate against their impacts." Its motto is

Semper Gumby (always flexible) and these are the Director's standing orders:

1. Take care of the needs of survivors.

2. Take care of the needs of responders.

3. When in doubt, re-read number one.

Mitigation is one of the common words used with regard to dealing with floods, and basically to mitigate means "to make less severe or intense; moderate or alleviate.   See synonyms for relieve." (thefreedictionary.com) So, mitigation in play means working toward reducing or eliminating risks and relieving the bad effects of flooding.

Dozens of websites can provide you with general flood information, good reading before any flooding occurs.

• www.dep.state.fl.us
• www.floridafloodinsurance.org (see fact sheets)
• www.floodsmart.gov (see "Assess Your Risk")
• http://floridaswater.com/
• http://www.nwfwmd.state.fl.us/
• http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/levelthree/drought%20and%20flood
• http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/emergency/floodriskprojects/
• http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm. 

Probably the most valuable resources in advance of and during a severe storm with lots of rain are your local municipalities. Stay tuned to the radio or television for watches and warnings, which you can also receive on mobile devices. Pay attention, and ideally, have your own preparation and evacuation (if necessary) plan in place. Also, each county has flood information on its website.

• hillsboroughcounty.org 
• tampa gov.net
• pinellascounty.org/flooding
• pascocountyfl.net
• mymanatee.org
• scgov.net [sarasota]
• polk-county.com
• hardeecounty.net 

The USA is one, big, giving, volunteer nation, and disasters bring out the best in people, some who come from afar to help organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army and Samaritan's Purse. They, in turn, can help you.   If you do not have Internet access and want to learn more about preparing for and weathering a serious storm with flood potential, ask for assistance at your local library.   They have computer access and will help you find all the information you want. You can
be well-prepared and knowledgeable about local, state and national resources whose mission it is to assist residents in the event of a flood disaster. And should you need to dispose of flooded rugs or drywall or damaged furnishing, just call the friendly, sympathetic folks at Bin There Dump That for prompt, courteous service by professionals who understand post-flood clean up and clean out.

Happy Memorial Day!

Only one holiday honors fallen American veterans, evokes family barbecues and marks the unofficial start of summer, and that's Memorial Day!

So from all of us at Bin There Dump That Tampa Bay, we want to wish you a safe and fun Memorial Day!

Window Replacement

I Can See Clearly Now ..... it's a song, it's a window, it's glass cleaner!*

*[all of the above]

The window industry is one place where advances and innovation in materials and style have come a long way and all for the better.  From the rattling, wood or aluminum frame, squiggly glass windows of yesteryear to today's upscale, vinyl wrapped, well-sealed, plain or uniquely-styled, clear glass replacements, windows provide protection and natural daylight to improve and enhance your safety and well-being.  When you factor in energy efficiency, insurance cost reduction, expert installation and property value increase, well, you have a win-win kind of deal.

If you have ever scraped, sanded, primed and painted wood window frames every few years, you will appreciate forever the simple ease of washing window frames with a sponge or hose.  The white vinyl wrap is as attractive from the curb as from the inside of your home, and the screen/storm combinations are a dream -- especially for oldsters who recall changing out screens and storms twice a year up in New York or New England or Michigan.

Replacement windows come in all sizes and styles and have many advantages for the investment:

• Easy to clean
• Double-hung open in for easy cleaning from the inside
• Filter harmful UV rays
• Crisp white trim goes with any house style and some offer colors
• Slim frames maximize window space
• Superior glass
• High insulating qualities
• Reduce heating and A/C expense
• Smooth and simple to open and close

Among the reasons to replace your windows is age of the home, condition of current windows, if they leak (letting in water or air), as well as to upgrade with new siding, reduce energy expenses, expand current window sizes, add a window and match windows with new doors.  Many replacement window companies also craft exterior doors in different styles.  Professionals in window replacement can advise you on the type of glass you need, as tempered glass is required for some windows and doors in Florida due to hurricanes and high winds with storms.  

Replacement windows can be a do-it-yourself project for the highly skilled, highly motivated homeowner on a budget.  You can do one side of your house per year, for example. Practice on the back first, and be sure to line up a Tampa area rental dumpster from Bin There Dump That for all the materials you will remove from the window space.  The last thing you need is more time to go to the dump and incur landfill fees along the way.  The Energy Star designation on windows may qualify for a tax deduction.  The University of Florida, IFAS Extension, has published an informative, 2-page report on Window Systems .

                       

Homemade glass cleaner ~

• 1 gallon water
• 1 tsp Dawn or 4 Tbl. lemon juice
• 1 pint rubbing alcohol
• 1/2 cup sudsy ammonia

 Or:

• 1 cup rubbing alcohol
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon vinegar

Home Staging & Home Sale Preparation

First impressions can be deal breakers for potential buyers, especially when homeowners do not grasp the significance of staging the home.  It's like missing the forest for the trees, meaning someone is looking at individual things (trees) and missing the big picture (forest).  In house terms, prospective home buyers can be distracted by odd art, personal belongings or loud things which attract attention.  The human eye is drawn to something that stands out, and a potential home buyer can miss an entire room for the visual impact of something very bright, though relatively small.

The National Association of Realtors reports that staged homes sell 80 percent faster and have offers up to 11 percent higher than non-staged properties.   According to Barb Schwarz, president of the International Association of Home StagingProfessionals (IAHSP), a home staged by an IAHSP member is on the market for an average of 29 days compared to 145 days for non-staged homes.  Another study by the Real Estate Staging Association indicates that staged homes sell, on average, 73 percent faster than unstaged ones.

            

Of course, all the staging in the world doesn't do much if the place isn't professionally cleaned and personally de-cluttered.  Lookers do poke in the oven, closets, dryer lint screen and under sinks.  Fresh coats of paint do wonders, as does carpet replacement, deep cleaning and power spraying the exterior.

Curb appeal (check out our past blog) is the first impression, and yet a fair performance outside can be overlooked for a stellar interior.   The hallmark of a home stage professional is a keen eye for arrangement, organization, function and color.   This person understands the kind of neutral environment that has broad appeal.   It's not about decorating or redecorating, but more about transforming the home from personally-you to impersonally-someone else.

Staging can be expensive, but the likelihood of recovering it and more in the final price is high.  It's akin to the business adage: "It takes money to make money."  According to a Duke University study on home staging, some of the most important things to be removed from sight are:

·      used soap, razors, toothbrushes, etc., in a bathroom

·      pet dishes, toys, beds, litter box, etc.

·      personal photographs

·      kitchen counter appliances including coffeemaker, mixer, etc.

Additionally, each room should be used as designed.  A dining room, for example, should having dining room furniture in it.  A spare bedroom converted to a home office works, as long as it doesn't have both bed and desk.

One of the most common stumbling blocks to staging is emotional.  The homeowner is defensive about his or her decor, and for someone to come in and remove and rearrange things in another way can be disheartening.  The home stage professional is not emotionally-invested in the house and simply sees how to present it in the best light, literally and figuratively.  The objective is to sell the house for a great price in a relatively short time frame, and keeping that in mind makes the home stager part of the sales team, not an adversary.

A home stage professional can take your home to its highest level of appeal to prospective buyers, those potential new homeowners who can comfortably visualize their furnishings and personal accoutrements in your attractive, neutral spaces.  Time is money, even in real estate, and a fast nickel is always better than a slow dime.  Who knows, with professional home staging, you might get one fast dime.

So when you get ready to sell, it may be worth considering a home stager as a valuable part of your team.  You may also consider getting your Tampa area dumpster rental from the folks at Bin There Dump That,  they will help you determine what size you need, their courteous drivers will be on time, they guarantee driveway protection, and best of all, their dumpsters are clean & green, you wont have a rust bucket sitting in your driveway detracting from your beautiful home.