Despite Constant Flooding Threats Property Owners Continue To Rebuild
April 26, 2011
History has a way of teaching us lessons. People who live in a tornado prone area have built shelters. Just as people who live in hurricane ridden coastal shores have shutters and such to protect their structures from high winds and pounding water. The folks who live near creeks, streams and rivers in the Midwest should really take a look at where they build their homes and businesses. Flooding is no stranger to this area, but despite the flooding problems homeowners and business owners continue to rebuild in these areas when flooding occurs.
There are actually businesses who know they are going to be flooded at least once annually and they prepare for springtime by removing over 80% of their stock. They bring in tractor-trailers and literally load it up, wait for the promised flooding and then move it all back in again. This is mind boggling. There are great things that can be done with land that is in the flood plain and in the direct path of surging waters when April showers come rolling in. Build parks, have wild life refuges, pitch and put golf courses, virtually anything that people can use but won’t be taken away with rapidly moving water. That really does NOT include homes and businesses. Sandbagging is one of those things that promises so much and gives so little once the wind starts blowing and rain begins to fall.
If you do not have flood insurance and the creek, stream or river does expand beyond its banks pushing massive amounts of water though your business or home, no one is going to pay for repair or replacement. Insurance companies really don’t pay out for stupidity and building where it is a known area for flooding pretty much falls into that category. The odd thing is, once flooding has come and gone, and houses are left in wreckage, people clean up, rebuild and start again, only to have it happen again and again.
If you live in an area that has never been flooded before and there is a one off storm of the century that somehow reaches your abode or business, then that is just plain unlucky. But really, if you live by a river, and you continue to suffer from flooding damages, then you may want to consider moving to an area that is outside of a flood zone or flood prone area to make life a bit less hectic every time there is a rain storm.
Key Differences Between Mold and Mildew in Your Home
April 14, 2011
Difference between Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew have similar characteristics but they are actually two different types of fungi. People tend to associate them as one, mainly because both of them grow in moist and warm environments. Mold is often found in basements, foods while mildew is found more in clothes, paper and showers. In fact, some times, one may have a hard time telling one of them from the other, because they both stem out from spores. In terms of color, mold is often red, green, blue and black, while mildew is often white or gray.
Mildew are of two types, downy and powdery. Powdery mildew is found on flowering plants such as roes and they look like grey or white splotches. While powdery mildew is borne from ‘ascomycota’ fungus, downy mildew is due to the ‘oomycota’ fungus and is more common in agricultural products like potatoes and grapes. Mold has more of a fuzzy or slimy look. Mostly found on walls and ceilings in parts of a house, typically, the basement, their shape can be irregular.
Both molds and mildew can pose lot of health problems to humans, mostly respiratory and skin-related. Symptoms from mold allergy can be in the form of sneezing, coughing, asthma and headache. In some cases, irritation in the throat and eyes is also possible. It goes without saying that we should not eat mold-infest food.
Mold and mildew tend to grow in moisture prone environments. You should keep the area dry as the best way to eliminate fungal growth. Bathrooms and the basements which do not have ventilation and are damp are the places where mold and mildew proliferate. For places that contain tough to remove mold stains or if you want to remove every miniscule chance of their growth, you can call a mold or mildew removal specialist.
If you suspect that your house has a mold or mildew problem, the best thing to do is to follow these steps;
1. Do mold and mildew inspection: You can call a certified mold inspection firm to send someone to check your home properly, determine the cause of mold and the intensity of infestation.
2. If there is a mold issue, work with the specialist to comb the area and prevent any possibly absorbent area to catch mold. In other words, clean up the area properly so that other things are not affected.
3. The mold removal specialist, if he sees that there is severe mold growth in the walls or ceiling, may use special, protective gear to clear mold or mildew.
4. After clearing, he may look for structural issue, for instance, leaky walls or no ventilation and advise you to take the required steps. In some cases, mold removal specialists also have tie-ups with good plumbers and repairers who can help you out.
5. Maintain and prevention: The mold removal specialist will initiate an ongoing program to make sure that the cause of mold or mildew growth is nipped in the bed and work on a purification technology that prevent any future occurrence of such fungal growth.
