Nothing says holiday like the scents of the season, don’t you think? But too often, today’s seasonal aromas are not those found in nature. Instead, they’re made up of chemically derived ingredients that can be harmful to indoor air quality and our health. We all love the comforting, warming aromas of pumpkin spice, apple pie. […]
Healthy Home “How To’s” to Refresh Your Home for Spring
Home is the place where we heal ourselves. Think about that for a moment. Whether we need a quiet oasis after a hectic work day, a hub of activity for nurturing children or grandchildren, or something else, home is where the magic happens. Right now, outside our windows, another kind of magic is happening. The […]
Are you aware of the gravity of the situation?
All kidding aside, snow and rain are not a healthy mix for your home. Just how heavy is snow? Take a look at this. It assumes a 2000sf roof and 3 inches of snow, not unusual in our area. Now add rain. The existing snow acts like a sponge soaking up the water, and you […]
Summer Ventilation Improves Home Healthiness and Your Healthiness, Too
Air quality is a leading concern for many people investing in the healthiness of their homes. In our annual survey, indoor air quality remains the top priority among respondents year after year. The 2021 Southern Appalachian Home Health and Happiness Survey Summer months in the southern Appalachians are something special. Many of us relocated here […]
Hurricane Preparedness Tips
… Are you prepared? … As Tropical Storm Elsa churns in the Caribbean, there’s a good chance we could be feeling the effects as early as next week. Flash flooding in the mountains is no joke, and neither is a torrential downpour. Part of your preparedness will likely concern your house. While most people know […]
Cold Snap? Your Home’s Ventilation Systems Keep You Breathing Healthy All Winter
Winter weather happens almost overnight. Rapid changes in temperature or a dramatic difference between warm indoor temperatures and the frigid outdoors can prove problematic. When cold temperatures dip below freezing, it’s important to check your home’s ventilation systems to be certain that your family’s air is healthy. Chances are, you take your home’s ventilation for […]
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 […]
2020 Southern Appalachian Home Health and Happiness Survey Results
Mold and Mildew still #1 concern in 2020 When A Healthier Home created The Home Health and Happiness Survey 2019 drawing on a Harvard University study as a guide, we found 66% of AHH respondents had major or moderate concerns about some aspect of their home that could negatively impact their health. Our latest survey […]
Runoff Got You Over a Rain Barrel? Consider Your Home’s Water Ecology
Everyone needs a rain barrel. Don’t they? Some folks would have us think so. But during periods of frequent, heavy rain and thunderstorms, people don’t think about watering their gardens. The big blue containers fill to the top and overflow right next to the home’s foundation. Not good. Water ecology is one of the most […]