 During the warmer seasons, we often experience this warm, sweaty feeling that makes us want to stay in the bathroom and take a bath or go to beaches and swim the entire day. This is what is called humidity, which is responsible for that muggy, steam room feeling you experience during those hot summer days.
Humans are very sensitive to humidity, as the skin relies on the air to get rid of moisture. The process of sweating is your body’s attempt to keep cool and maintain its current temperature. If the air is at 100-percent relative humidity, sweat will not evaporate into the air. As a result, we feel much hotter than the actual temperature when the relative humidity is high. If the relative humidity is low, we can feel much cooler than the actual temperature because our sweat evaporates easily, cooling us off.
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October 29th, 2010
 Most basements tend to be cold rooms, which causes water condensation. The water is damaging to materials stored in your basement which leads to the growth of mildew and mold. Making sure your basement dry is very important and if you are planning on using a basement dehumidifier, there are a few things you should keep in mind to maximize your basement dehumidifier’s use.
So how do we maximize your basement dehumidifier system’s use? Based on how a basement dehumidifier works, here are a few key points to keep in mind:
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October 28th, 2010
The only good news about basement mold is that your pest control bills should be practically non-existent! Mold is harmful to mice, roaches and spiders that want to make a home in your basement.
The bad news is that mold is also harmful to you and your family! It is the main cause of indoor allergies.
A Musty Odor Is Usually the First Indication…
You may have noticed a correlation between musty smell in the basement and headaches. Take an aspirin and follow this 6 step guide to kill the mold in your basement.
Step 1- Learn How To Spot Mold…
Mold growth will occur on any organic or porous material (paint, cardboard, newspapers, wood, textiles, and carpet) that is exposed to moisture. Mold can even grow in fiberglass insulation. Before you can destroy mold you need to know what mold and mildew looks like and what they thrive on. Typically, basement mold and mildew occurs as black, white, or bluish spots; the spots may be fuzzy or raised.
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October 8th, 2010
While alternative competitive offerings can be ranked on price, pints of water extracted per day and on room air exchanges, the issue of the noise they generate is becoming an important consideration.
 Sound is a quality of life issue…
Basement space has become hot as Americans look to that area to provide a “construction-cost-effective” basement space for a Family Room, an Entertainment Room, a Game Room and even an extra Guest Bedroom. With so much at stake in terms of “quality of life” who wants to have conversation or the ballgame drowned out by the Basement Dehumidifier noise as the unit kicks on? Read The Rest of This Article »
January 24th, 2010
 Water is THE issue with basements as it’s the dampest part of your home!
It always attracts moisture problems.
Condensation or Seepage?
Moisture problems come in two forms: condensation or seepage. Condensation is airborne and turns to water after coming into contact with a cold surface. Seepage is water that comes in to the basement through cracks in the foundation or solid concrete via capillary action known as water wicking. You have various Do-It-Yourself and professional service options for basement waterproofing that increases the value of your home. Read The Rest of This Article »
January 10th, 2010
And if you do it right it won’t cost you lots of money.
Boost the Value of Your Home – Finish the Basement!
 Need an extra room for more activities in the house? A game room perhaps, home theater or a play area? A finished basement can provide your family the extra living space at a minimum cost if you do it right. Think it over! A basement has walls, a floor and a ceiling already; so it’s got to be cheaper than building an addition to get that extra living space. Also, more and more potential home buyers want a house to have a finished basement. A finished basement doesn’t only allow more space for more activities in your house, but also adds to the resale value. You don’t need a fortune to remodel your basement but you do need… Read The Rest of This Article »
January 4th, 2010
 There are a lot of things to consider when remodeling basements. After sifting through basement remodeling ideas, books, plans, designs and guidelines, you will quickly realize the need to start a list of requirements and goals for your own basement. This should be done before and while researching. Brainstorming possible basement ideas and scenarios comes next. The internet is now not only a place to play, but there are more than enough sites that can inspire finished basement ideas and help with your remodeling tasks. Here are some that I can recommend:
Basement Ceiling Ideas
When it comes to ceiling ideas, there are only two choices.You can opt for the warmer, more professional look that dry wall has to offer, like most homeowners do. Or you can go with a suspended ceiling that offers a more commercial look. Read The Rest of This Article »
December 28th, 2009
How many times have you walked into a basement and it hit you; that damp, musky smell and that clammy feeling on your skin?
 The humidity is so high you can almost see the water hanging in the air. Basements that don’t have basement dehumidifiers are notorious for being damp and uncomfortable. We all know what humidity feels like, but some people may not actually know what it is or what causes it. Basically, humidity is a term that refers to the amount of water vapor in the air. Air at a specific temperature can hold a prescribed amount of moisture. The warmer the air is the more moisture it can hold. Relative humidity (RH) is more complicated to explain so we’ll tackle that subject in a future resource article. Read The Rest of This Article »
December 20th, 2009
Did you know that at least one out of every five people in the United States suffers from allergies?
 There are several causes of allergy symptoms; food allergies (peanuts/dairy), seasonal allergies (pollen, mold) and pet allergies (dander).
- Did you know that a vast number of homes having basements without basement dehumidifiers have moisture problems?
- Did you know that the two biggest causes of allergy and asthma symptoms could be lurking in your damp basement?
That’s right. Humid, damp basements provide the perfect environment for mold and dust mites that could be causing or exacerbating your allergy symptoms. These two irritants cause the vast majority of airborne allergy symptoms. In fact, studies show that nearly all chronic sinus infections are a result of mold. If you suffer from allergies, you know the symptoms: sneezing, congestion, headache, heavy mucus discharge, inflammation of the mucus membrane in the nose and sinus.
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October 6th, 2008
Basement Mold Will Grow Even If There Have Never Been Flooding or Leaks.
 Many people associate mold in basements with flooding. Although flooding, leaky pipes, leaky roofs and clogged gutters are certainly contributors to mold growth, many times the main culprit is excessive basement humidity. Regardless the air temperature, there will always be cold concrete floors and wall materials that take on the ground temperature of the soil around your home. A damp basement can provide an inviting environment for mold growth. Mold grows the fastest in your basement when there is lots of moisture. It can grow on many surfaces, including walls, floors, carpets, ceiling tile, wallpaper and insulation.
- Have you ever opened the basement door and noticed the musty smell of your basement even though it looks completely clean?
- No matter how much you vacuum floors and clean surfaces, do you find that the odor is still there?
The most common place for mold growth is beneath carpet, behind drywall and behind insulation. Basement mold grows directly on the concrete floor, cinder block, brick or concrete walls and beneath pipe insulation.
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October 6th, 2008
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