Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Indoor air quality concerns

Are concerns about indoor air quality
making it difficult for you to breathe easy in your own home?

Acknowledging reports that air quality inside homes can be worse than outside, engineers have identified ways to move air in and out of homes to minimize the factors that lead to indoor air quality problems.

The key is to design HVAC and other systems to work together to effectively ventilate homes and minimize sources of indoor pollution. Houses adhering to guidance from ASHRAE for home ventilation will generally result in increased indoor air quality and decreased health problems compared to those that do not. The guidance is contained in ASHRAE Standard 62.2, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings, is the only nationally recognized indoor air quality standard developed solely for residences. It is intended for use in building codes.

“The standard is just good, basic common sense,” Max Sherman, former chair of the committee that wrote the standard, said. “People need fresh air. The standard tells how to provide it and how to avoid other common problems.”

In the past, residential ventilation was not a major concern because it was felt people were getting enough outdoor air by opening their windows and by air leaking through the building’s walls.

As homes and duct systems were built tighter to save energy, trapping contaminants indoors, concern rose about indoor air quality, especially since people spend almost 90 percent of their day indoors — 65 percent of that in their homes. Also, residents are now less likely to open windows because of energy costs, security issues, drafts, noise and dirty air from outside.

Studies from the Environmental Protection Agency on human exposure to air pollutants show that indoor levels of pollutants may be two to five times, sometimes more than 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. People in buildings frequently report discomfort and building-related health symptoms, and sometimes develop building-related illnesses.

“Publication of this standard does not immediately require changes to building practice, but it does set the minimum level expected of HVAC professionals with respect to residential ventilation, and it should hopefully lead to changes in building codes,” Sherman said.

Some requirements in the standard that represent significant changes from standard practice include use of sound rated fans (because disruptively noisy fans are now commonly used) as well as use of mechanical, whole-house ventilation, which only a small fraction of houses currently use. The purpose of the standard is to provide the necessary building service of providing minimum acceptable indoor air quality, according to Sherman. A standard such as 62.2 benefits HVAC&R professionals and allied industries because it defines a demonstrable set of criteria for acceptability, which can be used to provide known value to the owner.

Although the standard is prepared for engineers who design HVAC systems in homes, there are several recommendations that can be applied by homeowners to their homes.
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Indoor Air Quality Testing Kit



Indoor Air Quality Testing Kit

An indoor air quality testing kit is a tool that can be used to test the air quality where you live, play, go to school, or go to work. The air you breathe both indoors and outdoors has a profound impact on your health. Symptoms of exposure to poor indoor air quality can include headaches, fatigue, respiratory problems and trouble concentrating. If this exposure continues over the long-term it can lead to serious illnesses such as respiratory diseases, heart disease and cancer.
Studies have shown that indoor air quality is actually far more polluted than the outdoor air in cities, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency. What’s most troubling is that this data points out those most susceptible to contaminants in the air, such as young people, the elderly, and chronically ill individuals, who are often the ones spending the most time indoors.
Good indoor air quality is not just air that’s free of contaminants; it also has to take into account temperature, humidity, and the amount of fresh outdoor airflow. Inadequate ventilation can decrease indoor air quality even further since there is not enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources. Without proper ventilation, the contaminated air is not being carried out of the home. In addition, high temperature and humidity levels can increase the levels of certain pollutants.

Signs You May Be in Need of an Indoor Air Quality Testing Kit

If you’re concerned about your indoor air quality, your body will be the first to tell you before any kind of testing kit. We recommend looking for the following signs and symptoms:
  • You suffer cold-like symptoms that improve when you’re not at home.
  • You notice condensation buildup around windows.
  • Your home has a musty smell.
  • You see water/moisture stains on your home’s walls and/or ceilings.
If you are concerned about the air quality in your home; an easy, affordable and quick way to get certified lab results is to use one of our indoor air quality testing kits. In addition, you can start improving the quality of air in your home right away by taking the following precautions:
  • Vent your bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms directly outdoors.
  • Avoid putting your air conditioners or furnaces in your garage as they may draw in unwanted contaminants.
  • Make sure your fireplace, dryer, and stove all have proper venting to go directly outdoors.
  • Keep your cleaning products, paints, and pesticides out of the occupiable space.
  • Make sure to properly air out your home after using cleaning products.
  • Make sure to regularly change your filters in any air conditioning or heating systems.
After following these best practices you will be on your way to healthier air in the home for you and your family. Most department stores also sell very affordable air purifiers for those rooms that aren’t quite as well ventilated as others. If you would like to inquire about one of our indoor air quality testing kits,

Friday, April 8, 2016

Causes of pet alergies


Catch the Culprits: Pet Dander


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If you’re allergic to cats or dogs, living in a pet-loving country can be rough. It’s especially tough if you have a pet living at home, spoiling your indoor air quality. By learning more about cat and dog allergies, you can identify exactly what’s making you sneeze and reduce your exposure to pet allergens.

Causes of Pet Allergies

Contrary to popular belief, dog and cat hair isn’t usually what makes you sneeze. Instead, pet dander and saliva are mostly to blame. Dander consists of tiny flakes of skin, which can float on the air and cause allergic reactions in particularly sensitive individuals without even touching the animal.
So why is it that some people can bury their faces in the fur of a fluffy husky while you’re left with itchy, watery eyes just from walking into a room with a cat sleeping in the corner? It comes down to your overactive immune system. Your body mistakes a harmless substance – in this case pet dander – for a dangerous invader. Histamines are released to attack the foreign intruder as if it were a bacteria or virus. Your body’s attempt to flush the dander from your system is what causes your allergies to flair up.

Symptoms of Pet Dander Allergies

Most of the symptoms you experience if you’re allergic to cats and dogs are similar to other nasal allergies. These include:
  • Sneezing
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Itchy eyes and nose
  • Coughing and wheezing
  • Heightened asthma symptoms
You might also develop a rash where a cat or dog licks or scratches you. More severe allergies may cause hives to develop on your face or chest. Allergy symptoms may show up after just a few minutes of exposure to pet dander or they may take hours to appear, not affecting you until the dog or cat is long gone.

How to Reduce Your Exposure to Pet Dander

Dander is everywhere. Over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants help many allergy sufferers, but prevention is the better option. Follow these tips to reduce your exposure to pet dander:
  • Resist the urge to pet a cat or dog. If you come into physical contact with an animal, wash that part of your skin with soap and water right away.
  • If you’re staying with someone who owns a cat or dog, ask that the animal be kept out of the guestroom for a few weeks leading up to your visit.
  • If you can plan ahead, take your allergy medicines a few hours before coming in contact with a cat or dog. This can greatly curb your allergy symptoms.
  • Since pet dander sticks to clothing, you should launder your clothes after visiting a pet-owning friend’s house, even if the visit only lasts for a few hours.
If you own a cat or dog and can’t bring yourself to find the animal a new home, follow these tips:
  • Restrict the pet to certain areas of the home. Never allow the animal in your bedroom.
  • Clean often. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and an electrostatic duster to remove as much dander as possible.
  • Replace wall-to-wall carpeting with hardwood or tile flooring. Replace the upholstered sofa with leather furniture.
  • Invest in a high-efficiency furnace filter to catch pet dander as it circulates through the ductwork.
For more tips to avoid pet dander and improve indoor air quality, 

Indoor air quality

How to improve your air quality without buying an expensive indoor air quality monitor.
When considering whether or not to purchase an indoor air quality monitor, it is very important to know exactly what you’re looking for. Unless you’re prepared to spend thousands of dollars on multiple pieces of equipment, you’re going to come to find that there is no consumer level “all in one” indoor air quality monitor, tester, and purifier. Is it really worth it to spend several hundred dollars on something that simply checks for carbon monoxide, tells you the temperature, and the barometric pressure of your house? Probably not.
This begs the question, what is it that you really “need”? We all want to make sure that the air that we are breathing in around the clock is safe and clean. There are many harmful pollutants that are common in homes, dorms, and offices. Here is a step by step guide to maintaining proper air quality without having to spend unnecessary money on a costly indoor air quality monitor.
Keeping an eye out for dangerous carbon monoxide.
It is always important and recommended by anyone you ask to keep a carbon monoxide detector. Being exposed to any level of carbon monoxide over time is dangerous and can cause long term health issues. It seems that any new state of the art indoor air quality monitor bases a lot of their draw and marketing off of the fact that you’re going to need a carbon monoxide detector anyway. The good news is that those can go for as little as $10-15. There is no need to associate the need for a carbon monoxide detector with a justification to spend unnecessary money.
Finding out what is actually in your air.
If you are worried about the quality of your air, or are commonly experiencing symptoms like tiredness, dizziness, or shortness of breath; it is important to find out what exactly is in your air that could be causing this. To get started, order one of our legally defensible laboratory certified testing kits today. Once you find out what is causing your air to be polluted, it is much easier to define the best indoor air quality monitor or purifier for your home.
The great thing about this test, is that it is literally thousands of times more effective than some indoor air quality monitors. A lot of them don’t test for things like lead, mold, and other dangerous toxins that can be living in your air. Not only does this DIY kit test for all of these things, it also scans for over 7,000 toxic compounds affecting indoor air quality.
Purifying your air
On our site, you can order one of these great HEPA vacuums which can keep not only unwanted allergens, dust, and chemicals off of your floor, but also pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. This vacuum is small, compact, and is one of many simple and easy indoor air quality solutions. This HEPA filter system captures 99.97% of dust and particles down to, and including, 0.3 microns. 4-horsepower, 13-amp motor providing enough suction for any job.
Once you have determined that there is nothing dangerous in your air, there are also several affordable air purifiers that can keep the air clean. For as little as $40-50, you can purify the air around you, 24/7. These are very easy and sensible indoor air quality solutions that are good to keep in mind. An indoor air quality monitor isn’t always the best solution, as they don’t always monitor what is truly important.

Carpet cleaning traffic lanes

Cleaning is paramount for keeping the carpet in your facility looking fresh and fulfilling its useful life. It can be confusing to know which cleaning needs to be done, and when, in your facility, but the Carpet and Rug Institute is here to help.

Doyle Bloss, marketing manager for the carpet cleaning equipment manufacturerHydraMaster, has some tips for cleaning the severe and heavy traffic areas at your office or facility. Foot traffic wears on carpet and can grind in dirt, therefore higher traffic areas need more attention.

Here are Bloss’ tips with some added info from CRI:

Vacuuming

All areas need to be vacuumed with a commercial grade vacuum cleaner on a daily basis. Consider using a pile lifter monthly.  

Vacuuming is the most important and simplest cleaning technique that needs to be done daily. CRI’s Seal of Approval program certifies vacuums on their ability to affectively remove soil that can damage carpet fibers.

Check out our list of SOA-certified vacuums.

Spot Cleaning

All areas need to be spot cleaned as needed by a trained professional using proper techniques to insure the use of proper chemicals, agitation, and rinsing. Standard procedures do not require pre-spotting, rather the carpet should be cleaned normally, then spots cleaned after, if residue remains. 

Removing spots immediately as they occur is the best way to keep the stain from recurring. Use a Seal of Approval-certified cleaning solution for best results.

Check out our list of SOA-certified cleaning solutions.

Interim Maintenance Cleaning

Carpet needs to be cleaned on a weekly basis using a low-moisture encapsulation cleaning system. 

Interim maintenance is the cleaning in between vacuuming and deep cleaning. Its goal is to refresh the look of carpet by removing surface soil. Interim maintenance is pertinent in any cleaning strategy and will extend the life of carpet in your facility.

Read more about the importance of interim maintenance systems.

Deep Cleaning

This should be performed on a monthly basis for severe traffic areas and quarterly basis for heavy traffic areas to remove any residues, to remove deeply imbedded soil, refresh the texture of the carpet and for overall indoor air quality.

Deep cleaning needs to be regularly performed to remove dirt that is deeply embedded in your facility’s carpet. Deep cleaning will also refresh the look of carpet to make it look new.

Following these tips will keep the carpet in your facility or office looking clean and fresh while also making it fulfill its useful life.
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Carpet cleaning advice

Advice To Get The Carpet Cleaning Service You Deserve

Are you ashamed by the look of your carpets severely stained?Have you exhausted all your cleaning options that you can to remove them? It may be time for you to hire professional to clean your carpet. However, there are some things to think about, and reading this article will help you search efficiently and make the right choice.Continue reading into the right cleaning service.
There are many carpet cleaners available and some are reliable. Ask for references from trusted individuals and check reviews online.This process is a great way to find a professional carpet cleaning firm that suits your area.
Carpet cleaning companies usually do more than just clean carpets. Many times they may specialize in upholstery cleaning, so it is a good idea to inquire about this. You may even be able to find a great deal offering both upholstery and carpet.
You should not entrust your valuables in someone else’s hands despite any guarantees.
Make sure you’re not doing anything to cancel your warranty when cleaning your carpets before services begin. You may void your warranty if your carpet came pre-treated and then you apply a stain treatment to some types of carpet. The chemicals may not mix well and cost you a bundle.
Just because carpet cleaners use some famous products doesn’t meant the quality of their work is better than their competitors. Always research a company you are interested in has the proper certifications. You should ask them about their certification and then do some research to see if they’re telling the truth.
You want the professional carpet cleaning company you hire to have an actual address. You should be able to go to an address for correspondence if problems arise.
They can give you know when to vacuum and what the best stain remover is.You can keep your carpets great-looking for much longer.
Always go over any instructions on an industrial carpet cleaner before you use it. There may be special instructions on what material it works best on, ventilation requirements and what to do if the chemical comes in contact with your skin, and how to handle chemical contact. You should know these things before you turn on the machine.
Professional carpet cleaners ought to have to be IICRC certified.This is recognized around the gold standard in terms of cleaning certification. This is important if your carpet is still under warranty. Your warranty may be voided if you let a professional who is not certified clean your carpet.
Vacuum your entire home to get the most dirt possible. You will remove more dirt if you clean an area. This can prevent stains on your carpet. The small amount of time invested will be worth the results.

Baking Soda

Baking soda can be used in place of deodorizer for your carpets. Most commercial carpet deodorizers contain baking soda with fragrance. You can save money when you use baking soda to freshen your carpets. You can add a few oils into the mixture to give it a nice aroma prior to laying it out on wax paper
Your carpets need cleaned more with pets. If your carpet is high-maintenance, it might be best to keep your pet away from certain rooms or place rugs over your carpet.
Talk to a company prior to hiring them what particular procedures they have. You want to look for a company that they begin with vacuuming before starting the deep cleaning. The carpet is going to look much better when done, so if the company doesn’t vacuum, think about working with a different one.
Many carpet cleaning companies have their representatives to upsell you. This means that they’re going to try to give you a low price for the job, but they will try to offer you added services for an additional price.
You must look into the company that you’re interested in having cleaning your carpets. Ensure they do background checks and screens its employees as well as screen for drug use. You shouldn’t have to worry about being robbed or having an individual working in your home that is high on drugs.

Carpet Cleaning

Don’t hire a company that cleans carpet cleaning service based on just their advertisements. Ask any neighbors about their experiences with carpet cleaning companies. You should consider and company they like is worth taking a good look at.
Rubbing stains tends to make them worse and penetrate deeper layers of your carpet. You ought to blot stains to the extent you can prior to using cleaning products, vinegar or water or anything else to get the stain absorbed.
You may want hire a professional carpet cleaner for your place of business too. Most people have their home on a regular basis but very few think about hiring a carpet cleaner for their office.
Most carpet cleaning companies will give you a guarantee on their work. Inquire as to whether the contractor you are interviewing has a company’s guarantee and its terms are. This will give you the ability to have them come back and re-clean any part of the job you are unhappy with their work.
Ask a cleaning company about insurance info before you fill out any contracts. Never trust their word that they have adequate coverage. Ask the company who carries their insurance policy and call them a call. The last thing you’d want is to learn their insurance coverage has lapsed after they have a cleaning service working on your home with expired insurance.
If there are a lot of unresolved complaints, shop elsewhere for your carpet cleaning needs. A company that doesn’t address customer complaints should not be used.
Don’t assume a carpet company because of what you see. A company who owns nice equipment and lovely products does not mean that they are certified. Have them show you their certification before they touch your carpets in the first place. This step is one of the most important.
These tips can help you find the best carpet cleaner for you. Ask a lot of questions when you call for an estimate. Take the time to do your research so you find a reputable contractor. Having your carpets professionally cleaned will make the time you have spent well worth it
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san diego carpet cleaning: Renaissance carpet cleaning company in San Diego

san diego carpet cleaning: Renaissance carpet cleaning company in San Diego: Renaissance carpet cleaning company in San Diego Posted on  April 29, 2014 As we all know carpets are a real speculation in any busi...