The Effect of Relative Humidity Levels on Health

The best inside relative humidity level is either 35% to 45% or 40% to 50% depending on who you ask.  Thankfully, the human body is very flexible and you do not have to aim at an exact figure.  The important thing is to avoid extremes.  Living inside is not very natural.  The artificial environment we create for ourselves can sometimes cause extremes of humidity to occur.  For short periods of time this is nothing to worry about, but the longer term effect can be quite nasty.

If the humidity level regularly exceeds 50% you may experience a rapidly increasing dust mite population, which will affect allergy sufferers.  Permanently damp rooms tend to have a musty smell.  The damp air is a perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew and fungus, which can cause serious health problems.  Where ever possible the cause of such conditions should be removed, but it is not always that simple and a dehumidifier may be required.  A modern dehumidifier with built in humidistat can be programmed to maintain a humidity level below 50%.  There are many available, so it is important to find the correct type for your situation.  A practical guide to dehumidifiers can be found at Dehumidifier Tips.com

Consistently low humidity levels are also bad.  This tends to occur when the weather is cold outside and we turn up the heat in our homes.  The most noticeable effects are a sore throat and sinus pain, symptoms that are common in modern society at certain times of year.  You can also get dry skin and itchy eyes.  The solution is to buy a humidifier that will put moisture back into the air.  Like dehumidifiers, these can be programmed to operate automatically, and there is a huge range available that make the most of a variety of different humidification techniques.  You can find out more at the humidifier web site.

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, maybe you should buy a hygrometer (humidity meter) and take some readings to find out if humidity is the cause.  With modern technology at your disposal there is no need for your health to suffer.

Learn more about optimum relative humidity levels at HumidifierInformation.com

Buying the Most Appropriate Humidifier for Your Office or Home

Low humidity levels can contribute to many of problems for our health, such as dry skin, cracked lips, sore throats and occasionally sinus headaches.

The problem is especially bad during periods of cold weather, when we shut ourselves in doors and turn up the heat.  Don't panic!  All you need is a humidifier, but which type should you purchase?

Single Room Humidifiers

This is by far the most common type of humidifier in use today.  Being small makes them cheap and portable, which everybody likes.  There are several different styles available, and it's important to choose one that is suitable for the size of room where it will be used.  Some people prefer these as they offer complete control over the humidity of your environment.  If you buy a particularly tiny portable model, you can even carry it around with you from room to room.  Of course, if there is only one room of the house that is particularly dry, it would be silly to buy a huge humidifier that can deal with the entire building.  It's a matter of choosing the correct type for your needs.  Click Here to Read Details of the Main Styles of Humidifier.

Furnace Mounted Humidifiers

These are usually connected to the furnace, so you have to make sure your heating system is compatible.  If it is, then this could be a much better solution.  The main advantage is that these whole house models require practically no maintenance at all.  They are usually connected to the mains water supply, and have special monitoring equipment within them that ensures the best possible humidity level can be maintained.  Being out of the way is also a bonus as they are not taking up valuable space in your main living rooms.  Click Here to Read More About Whole House Humidifiers.

Whatever variety you choose, make sure you do something to beat low humidity levels in your home and office.  Before going to the shops, have a quick read through the list of desirable features at The Humidifier Guide Site This is the main buying guide for everything related to humidifiers, so if you follow their advice, you can't go wrong.

Bamboo Floor Installation Questions Answered

You’ve decided to replace your floor with bamboo. You buy the materials that you need and bring them home. Now what? How do you install your new floor properly so you can enjoy it for many years? One of the first steps you should take is to inspect your materials. Bamboo is a natural material and will have slight variations in color. Any material that has serious defects should be returned to the supplier if at all possible.

 

What about Floor Preparation?

 

One important step in bamboo flooring installation is being sure that the subfloor is sound. Because of the properties of bamboo, particleboard subfloors are unacceptable. The subfloor should be either ¾” OSB, 5/8” plywood, concrete or an existing solid wood subfloor. This will help keep the moisture content down so the adhesive used to lay the bamboo will not fail. The subfloor must be level to ensure the best possible installation. If the subfloor is subject to moisture, it shouldn’t exceed 2%; otherwise it should remain dry year round.

 

Now Can We Install?

 

Humidity and temperature should be consistent for ten days minimum before installation. If a room exceeds 80° or falls below 50°, or if the humidity is allowed to fluctuate higher than 65% or lower than 35%, most warranties will be voided. A dehumidifier or humidifier may be used to regulate the conditions of the room where the floor is installed. Always sweep the floor before installation begins. Dirt left behind will cause the floor to lie incorrectly.

 

To Nail, Glue, or Float?

 

Bamboo can be installed by nailing, gluing, or by using the floating method. If nailing, the planks should be started square with the room. Be sure that it is parallel to its longest length (achieved by using a chalk line). Make sure to leave a 3/8” expansion from any wall, base plate or other stationary vertical areas. Site made spacers are perfect for ensuring this. Once the starter rows are firmly in place by wedging or face nailing you can begin to add additional rows. Make sure you blind nail them directly above each tongue at a 45-50 degree angle. Also space your fasteners 10-12” apart with a minimum of two per plank.

 

Rather “Stick To It?”

 

Make sure that you use elastomeric moisture barrier wood flooring adhesive such as “Bostik’s Best,” or “Franklin’s 811 Plus.” Follow their directions on how to use, handle, and store the adhesive. Once you are ready to install, spread the adhesive with a notched trowel. Make sure to spread only as much adhesive as you will be covering in one hour so it does not have time to dry before the planks are in place. Once the glue has become tacky you are ready to lay the planks. The planks should be installed in the same manner as the nailing method, being sure to vary the tones in the planks as you go. Continue until the floor is totally covered. It is very important to remove any adhesive that gets on the surface. Once cured it is extremely difficult to remove.

 

How About Floating?

 

Using the floating method requires the installation of a suitable vapor barrier and/or underlayment between your flooring and the subfloor. This also includes taping the seams to ensure full coverage of the subfloor. One recommended adhesive is E-Z Bond (Medium Viscosity formula 1-866-239-2663). Remember! This material “sets” in approximately 15 seconds (it is kin to “super glue”). Before you glue the planks together, make sure they fit properly. Begin the installation using spacers to make sure that the recommended expansion perimeter is maintained (3/8”). Place the groove of the starter row against the wall and apply the adhesive along the bottom of the groove. Quickly tap the planks together using a tapping block. Also apply glue to the bottom side of the groove at the end joints for the first several rows.

 

You have installed your new bamboo flooring. Now you can sit back and enjoy the elegance and refinement that it brings to your room. Remember, keep the humidity and temperature under control and you will be able to enjoy your bamboo floor for years to come.

Sleep Position and Snoring: Is there a link?

You may have heard that sometimes there is a connection between your Sleep Position and Snoring. In many ways this is correct as snoring happens when a person starts breathing through their mouth rather than their nose. This dries up the throat and causes the tissue in this area to vibrate as air passes over it which is the noise we call snoring. Obviously your mouth is more likely to fall open when you sleep on your back, so you see an obvious connection between this sleep position and snoring. Keeping yourself on your side or stomach is going to help with the problem of snoring tremendously, although this can be difficult for some people. There is the common advice of sewing a tennis ball into the back of your pajamas so that when you roll onto your back you feel that and are pushed back onto your side. This advice when it comes to your sleep position and snoring cessation can actually backfire as of course it's very uncomfortable to roll onto a tennis ball and many who try this find they wake up during the night every time this happens.

A better idea for keeping yourself in the best sleep position for snoring cessation might be to use some pillows under one of your sides. This can prop you up even when you roll onto your back and keep you from being in a bad position during sleep. You can also try a body pillow or large pillow in front of you to clutch while sleeping; there's something about the action of keeping your arms and legs wrapped around such a pillow that keeps you on your side. The support you get in front might help to keep you in the best sleep position and Snoring cessation.

Your sleep position and snoring are not the only issues when it comes to this habit. If your mouth and throat are overly dry or if you have sinus problems, allergies, asthma, or are severely overweight you can also find that you snore constantly. All of these conditions should be treated whether they cause snoring or not, but usually keeping your bedroom adequately ventilated with a humidifier or warm mist vaporizer can also help. While your sleep position and snoring is often related these other conditions can cause problems related to snoring and may need the attention of a doctor.

Natural Asthma Treatment - Quick and Easy

Asthma affects 1 out of every 15 students. It impacts every facet of their lives: social, academic, physical and recreational. Many individuals seek out quick and natural treament for their asthma attacks instead of loading up their bodies with chemicals. Keep in mind, though, that asthma treatment
using natural remedies hinges on the specific trigger at the root of the attack.

There are a variety of triggers and processes that can lead to an asthma attack. Among the many triggers are mold, pets, chemicals, smoke, perfume, cleaning agents, food allergies, emotional stress, environmental allergens, changes in barometric pressure, cold temperatures, and pests like rats and cockroaches.

The range of treatments for asthma attacks encompasses steroids, drugs and ongoing medical intervention. An immediate way to naturally treat your asthma is to avoid common triggers such as stress, pollutants, chemicals and pets. Some triggers are unavoidable such as barometric pressure changes and cold weather or pest droppings in buildings that require your presence.

Other triggers such as emotional stressors can be treated with natural remedies such as stress reducers. Others rely on organic foods and herbal supplements that can help reduce the possibility of suffering an attack.

Another way of obtaining natural relief from asthma symptoms is to build up your immune system and reduce the constrictions of the air sacs found in the lungs. Adding aerosolized hydrogen peroxide to a humidifier enables the asthma sufferer to metabolize a greater amount of oxygen.

Adding hydrogen peroxide to the humidifier has been shown to have a positive effect on increasing the amount of oxygen that is able to be used. Adding the hydrogen peroxide will vaporize the product but will also bleach out the wall and curtains near the vaporizer. With the consent of your doctor and appropriate methodology the hydrogen peroxide can be added to the machines that deliver your bronchodilator.

This method works to eliminate attacks and helps to enhance your immune system, but it doesn't get to the root causes of the disease. Other methods of decreasing emotional stress will also give immediate natural relief for an asthma attack caused by stress. One method is the use of Reiki or a Japanese technique used for stress reduction and relaxation that promotes healing.

In English, the meaning of Reiki is usually translated as “life force energy”. When your life flow is reduced, your chances of getting sick and experiencing stress are higher. With heightened Reiki comes more happiness, health and capability. Reiki can provide immediate natural relief for asthma that treats the whole person – body, emotions, mind and spirit.

Using prevention and stress reduction will help decrease the need for medications and immediate natural relief for asthma attacks.

Do You Need to Buy a Cigar Humidor As A Gift

There are many understandable reasons why every cigar smoker should have a cigar humidor. The cigar humidor is basically like a cigar humidor humidifier, which keeps your cigars at just the right temperature, making sure that they stay fresh and tasty until you go to smoke them.

Proper cigar storage is crucial, and the only way to properly store your cigars is with the right cigar humidor. If you do not store your cigars properly you may encounter one of a few different problems, such as the cigars will end up burning unevenly or having too rapid of a burn, or the cigars ending up with a bitter or harsh taste.

Cigar Humidor Features

Although the specific features will vary from one cigar humidor to another, there are a few basic features that tend to be the same among all humidors. Almost all humidors have three features in common: Spanish cedar which is considered as being the finest type of cedar, humidification unit which is a device that is attached to the inner lid of the humidor that includes a housing and substance to hold the moisture, and a hydrometer which indicates the humidity.

It is important to make sure that a humidor has these three necessary features before you go ahead and purchase it, because otherwise it may just be a plain cigar box and will not offer the feature of maintaining a proper temperature.

Cigar Humidor Setup and Care

You really need to be concerned with the setup and care processes of your cigar humidor. To clean you should submerge the humidifiers in distilled water until well saturated, and then dry off the surface of the humidifier and place on a towel for approximately one hour to make sure that no dripping occurs because this may end up ruining the box.

Although some cigar humidor manufacturers will tell you that you can dampen the humidor with a water filled sponge to clean, this is honestly not the best idea and if you want to keep your humidor in the best possible condition you should really avoid this altogether. If you subject raw wood to water it may end up swelling, or cracking, and the sponge may even contain particles that end up contaminating the humidor.

Just make sure that you take your time and see what is out there in terms of a cigar humidor selection, so that you can find the best one for you and one that is going to last you.