How to: Clean the Air
Increased Ventilation, HEPA & Activated Carbon Filtration, Safest Methods to Clean Indoor Air
Increased Ventilation, HEPA & Activated Carbon Filtration, Safest Methods to Clean Indoor Air
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the best approach to improve indoor air quality controls the source of indoor pollution. During the pandemic, one significant source of IAQ concern was the airborne virus, SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19. Many air-cleaning technologies were developed to help reduce the spread and eradicate the virus in indoor environments. Unfortunately according to research by Dr. Jose-Luis Jimenez, an EPA featured speaker, some of these technologies actually CAUSE more pollution than they cure. Based on his research models, Dr. Jimenex concluded the most effective and safest options to clean indoor air are:
1. Increasing dry, clean, filtered ventilation
2. Use of HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filtration MERV 17, and
3. Use of activated carbon (charcoal) filtration
Based on his models, people with prolonged, regular exposure to the by-products of other air cleaning technologies demonstrated no significant increase in positive health outcomes or showed a negative impact on health. For more information about The EPA's Indoor Air Quality recommendations, visit the EPA's IAQ website. The Aug, 2,2023 presentation by Dr. Jose-Luis Jimenez Health Benefits vs. Disbenefits for Indoor Air Cleaners will be made available online. Check here for updated posted recordings.
Learn more about other steps you can take by visiting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website:
Mold: When in Doubt, Throw it Out!
Responding to a water event in your home? When in Doubt, Throw it Out.
Wear protective clothing including gloves, eye protection, and respiratory protection.
Throw out impacted medications, food, and any soft goods that cannot be washed and dried.
Dry out any porous materials and affected building materials within 24-48 hours using fans to increase evaporation and dehumidification to reduce relative humidity.
To prevent mold growth:
Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) with dehumidifiers and air conditioners.
Vent bathrooms, dryers, and other appliances outside of the building. Do not allow any vent to terminate within the building, attic, or crawlspace.
Increase conditioned fresh air intake, air circulation, and proper building ventilation.
Remember: There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores from indoor environments. The best way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
Don’t take my word for it…independent resources and links:
Learn more about Indoor Air Quality by visiting
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Cleanup and Remediation recommendations.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP) also provides a list of resources to help building owners prepare and recover from water events.
If you have any specific questions about your property, please give us a call at 610-359-1730.
DEP Storm and Flood Recovery
Fact Sheets and Information
Rain. And lots of it.
What we experienced this weekend was not a 100-year-rain event or even a tropical storm. The intense rainfall from the slow-moving, moisture-rich storm still inundated and overwhelmed area runoff systems. The super-soaker caused havoc and emphasized the escalating threat of flooding from even common, summer-time thunderstorms.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP) provides a list of resources to help building owners prepare and recover from flood events like this weekend. PaDEP recommendations include:
Document Damage.
Before you begin any cleanup, contact your insurance company and take pictures of any damaged building materials and personal items. Continue documenting and taking pictures throughout the cleanup activities.
Be Proactive.
-- Wash Your Hands with soap and clean water immediately and often after any contact with flood water or contaminated items.
-- Treat and Protect any open wounds, even small cuts or abrasions.
-- Wear Protective Gear for cleanup work.
-- Prevent Mold Growth by cleaning and drying out the building, building materials, and personal items within 48-hours.
-- Safely Dispose of any hazardous materials and contaminated items.
Avoid Hazards.
-- Avoid Flood Waters. Do not wade into water, drive into water, or stand in water.
-- Avoid Structural Damage. Investigate and identify any damage before re-entering any building or using a previously flooded roadway.
-- Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from gas-powered generators, heaters, appliances, and impacted HVAC equipment.
-- Avoid Electrocution from any downed electrical lines, exposed wires, and swamped outlets.
If in doubt, throw it out.
-- Throw Out any potentially contaminated fresh or frozen foods, home-canned items, boxed, dry, or food staples, and frozen or refrigerated goods that have been exposed to elevated temperatures.
-- Throw Out any porous items, soft goods, or water-logged materials not cleaned and dried within 48 hours.
-- Contact your physician first, and then Throw Out any water-impacted or temperature-impacted medications.
Don’t take my word for it… independent resources and links:
US Federal Emergency Management Agency
Flood Recovery
https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/be-safe-when-returning-flooded-home
US Federal Emergency Management Agency
Safe Return After Flooding
https://www.pema.pa.gov/Recovery/Documents/Mold-Mildew-Cleaning-Up-Flood-Damaged-Home.pdf
If you have any specific questions about your property, please give us a call at 610-359-1730.
Mold: Housekeeping or Health Issue?
When is mold a housekeeping problem versus a “mold problem”?
When mold is a housekeeping issue
Indoor mold is often a housekeeping issue because it takes root in areas with insufficient cleaning. Mold is naturally occurring so its presence indoors is not surprising. However, all visible indoor mold should be removed. In most situations, that means routinely cleaning non-porous surfaces with soap and water and discarding any mold-impacted porous materials. Without proper cleaning and maintenance, any home can develop mold growth, and any mold growth left untreated can become a larger concern.
When it becomes a "mold problem"
Left unchecked, mold can cause and aggravate health conditions and cause structural damage to a home. Indoor mold growth requires professional intervention when anyone in the home is immunocompromised or has an underlying health condition or there is:
Inadequate or poor ventilation
Ongoing, elevated interior humidity
Recurring moisture or water intrusion
A lack of diligent housekeeping
When mold requires testing and professional remediation
Call a professional when you:
Smell musty odors regularly
Notice visible mold growth that recurs after cleaning
Experience repeat water events in the same area
Encounter a water event not completely dried in less than 72-hours
Don’t take my word for it… independent resources and links:
Learn more about mold by visiting the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) :
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
You can control Mold.
If you have any specific questions about your property, please give us a call at 610-359-1730.
How to: Prevent Moisture Intrusion
Water infiltration caused by improper exterior drainage is a leading contributor to indoor mold
Water infiltration caused by improper exterior drainage is a leading contributor to indoor mold growth. Follow these US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines to help keep rain and surface water out of your home.
1. Ensure a minimum of 8 inches of the foundation is exposed above the surrounding foundation grade.
2. Divert water away from the foundation by grading the 10-foot area immediately adjacent to the foundation with a minimum 5% slope (6-inch drop per 10-foot extension).
3. Redirect water away from the building by grading proximate lawns and gardens with a minimum 2% slope (2.4-inch drop per 10-foot extension).
Don’t take my word for it… independent resources and links:
Learn more about water and moisture control by visiting the EPA’s (Environmental Protection Agency)
Ways to Control Moisture in Your Home.
If you have any specific questions about your property, please give us a call at 610-359-1730.
How to: The 3 R’s of Mold Prevention
Prevent mold with the 3 R’s: Reduce, Respond and Repair
Worried about MOLD? Prevent it with the 3 R’s: REDUCE, RESPOND, and REPAIR
1. Consistently REDUCE indoor humidity by installing, properly maintaining, and running a reliable dehumidifier and or whole-building air conditioning/HVAC system. Indoor relative humidity should be below 60% – throughout a building, on every level, in every room, all day, every day. Remember: The key to mold control is moisture control.
2. Quickly RESPOND to any plumbing leaks or water intrusion. Dry all items and materials promptly and completely. Water-impacted areas and objects must be dried within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. If timely cleanup is not possible, plan to throw out damaged materials.
3. Promptly REPAIR any and all sources of water intrusion. Find and repair plumbing leaks. Evaluate and repair roof leaks and attic ventilation issues. Clean and repair roof gutters and downspouts. Confirm the ground slopes away from the building foundation. Ensure any French drain system and or sump pumps are operating properly and discharge way from the foundation. Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.
Don’t take my word for it… independent resources and links:
Learn more about water and moisture control by visiting the EPA’s (Environmental Protection Agency)
Ways to Control Moisture in Your Home.
If you have any specific questions about your property, please give us a call at 610-359-1730.