Humidity and Mold Growth
The arrival of warm summer weather provides opportunity for fresh air through screened windows and doors. Summer breezes are refreshing. Remember to close windows and doors when outdoor humidity levels rise. Basement windows should remain closed as well to keep humid ambient air out and to...
Indoor Air Quality Routines
Spring is on the way and soon spring cleaning will be underway. Duct inspection is sometimes overlooked in routine maintenance. There are unnoticed systems in every building that contribute to the quality of the indoor environment. Ducting is found in different applications- bathroom exhaust fans, clothes dryers...
Attic Insulation and Roof Ventilation
Roof ventilation, in most instances, promotes air circulation throughout buildings contributing to healthy indoor environments and preventing material damage that can occur when warm, moist, air is trapped inside. Attic insulation is another component that creates comfort in controlling indoor conditions. More is not always better,...
Criterion Theater Bar Harbor
The Criterion Theater in Bar Harbor will reopen Friday, May 1st. We were very pleased to be part of the restoration project. Rob Levin of The MDI Islander had a piece about the Criterion in this week's edition- “We’re just so excited to get people in...
Mold Information Resources
The Maine Indoor Air Quality Council recently hosted their annual Northeast IAQ and Energy Conference. MEIAQC is a great resource for information. We often have requests for information pertinent to mold as a human pathogen. Human health is subjective and we are not medical professionals...
US Green Building Council
The US Green Building Council and its LEED program, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a good resource for solutions in improving indoor air quality and reducing negative impact in commercial and residential buildings. The project directory lists many certified buildings in commercial and residential use....
National Healthy Housing Standard
The National Center for Healthy Housing in partnership with the American Public Health Association has published the National Healthy Housing Standard, which offers evidence-based guidance in the advocacy for healthy dwellings....
Water Damage, Mold & Indoor Air Quality
Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory published an inclusive summary of building conditions that impact indoor air quality and human health. The information presented is familiar to us and is fundamental to our practice for water damage mitigation and mold remediation. It states that "approximately half of...
Natural Ventilation Passive Climate Control
The National Institute of Building Sciences publishes several interesting articles on building design. Natural ventilation is of particular interest in promoting a healthy indoor environment. Information on building design and materials as both pertain to insurance risk can be found here. Sustainable building with passive...
Mold and Moisture Dynamics
Information from a credible source provides relief and reassurance. Panic originates from a lack of information that causes us to feel powerless in the face of the unknown. Whole Building Design Guide a program of the National Institute of Design Sciences has published information regarding...