Whether Santa slides down the chimney at your house or lets himself in with a magic key, there’s more to getting ready for his visit than setting out the milk and cookies. A couple of weeks back, I got an email from an old friend. Let’s call him Nicholas. Last Christmas, it took him quite […]
Mold Growth Is Western North Carolina’s “Quiet Ecological Disaster” of Devastating Proportions
Consistently high dew points and weeks of warm temperatures result in a regional increase of indoor mold growth, worsening health conditions, and rising costs into the tens of millions. That’s why I think it’s fair to assert that Western North Carolina is in the middle of a quiet ecological disaster of devastating proportions. Right now, […]
WNC’s Older Homes Offer Charm, Craftsmanship – and Potential Healthiness Challenges
If you’re looking for charm and craftsmanship, our region’s older homes check all the boxes. From century-old log cabins sitting on a ridge to Craftsman cottages in streetcar neighborhoods, the southern Appalachian mountains have no lack of unique, one-of-a-kind homes. In fact, 40% of the United States’ 137 million homes were built before 1969, which […]
Chronic Allergies? Cockroaches Should Be On the List of Culprits
If you’re a hunter kitty, that fast moving, flying American cockroach, known as a “palmetto bug,” or its smaller, particularly invasive German cousin sure looks like fun. But what you and I know that kitty does not is that cockroaches are not only not fun, they’re also not healthy. In western North Carolina, allergens such […]
Looking Up at the Downspout: Roof Causes of Trickle Down Dampness
Last time we met, we talked about your basement and “walked the foundation.” Now that we’ve scouted the foundation, it’s time to look upward and similarly “walk the roof.” Without fail, the essential core issue of the mold problem in any given home we visit grows out of one of these two key areas of […]
3 Low Cost Ways to Manage Runoff and Prevent the Humidity and Damp that Cause Mold
Heavy rains, coupled with humid temperatures, play havoc with basements and crawl spaces across the Southern Appalachians. As temperatures and water levels rise, so do problems with humidity and damp that lead to mold and mildew problems in our homes. Here are 3 low-cost things you can do right now to mitigate runoff issues that […]
Sustaining Healthiness After a Diagnosis
When the home environment is a trigger in the onset of disease or chronic symptoms of illness, it’s time to take stock of safety, quality of life, and the future of care Much as a well-maintained home certainly supports optimum property value, a well-maintained home ecosystem supports optimum health. Since 2017, home healthiness has emerged […]
At-Home Spas Need Extra Attention With Extra Use
Your spa or hot tub is a great place to get away from the stresses COVID-19 has created in our lives. While there’s plenty to worry about, routine maintenance could slip your mind or be left off your to-do list. Warm spa water is definitely relaxing, but it’s also a favorite hangout for bacteria. The […]
Sick House Syndrome – Break its Fever Without Breaking the Bank
Now that we’re spending more time in our homes, it’s time to consider whether your house is as well as it can be. Sick House = Sick Occupants. These are real illness symptoms folks can suffer from as a result of Sick House Syndrome. But, there are two ways you can turn this situation around. […]
Are you kicking up the dust way too much this spring?
We’ve been cooped-up in our cozy cubbies all season. Sure, this winter wasn’t a “bear” when it comes to the cold, but with each sunny springtime day we begin to exhibit post-hibernation behavior: We begin to dig; but we’re not digging for grubs and roots. We’re digging into boxes and stored away papers. Digging in […]