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Indoor Air Quality Basics

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Indoor Air Quality Basics

Here s another great tip from BobVila.com. The American Lung Association reports that the death rate from lung disease has risen faster in the last decade than any other major disease. Countless days of school and work are missed due to respiratory illnesses every year. The EPA ranks poor indoor air quality as the fourth largest environmental threat to our country. Some of the worst polluters of the air you breathe hit right where you live. Biological particles like mold, animal dander, dust mites, bacteria and viruses occur naturally in substances. But in homes that aren t properly ventilated, or when filters aren t regularly cleaned, their concentrations can build up and make them into major irritants. Products of combustion from heating systems, gas appliances, fireplaces and wood stoves include poisonous and carcinogenic particles as well as carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide. And tobacco smoke has proven to be the last thing you want in your indoor air. Make sure your appliances are properly vented, install carbon monoxide detectors and ban smoking in your house to keep your family safe. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, have also been linked to lung disease. They off-gas from a huge range of building products like engineered lumber, adhesives, carpets, paint and upholstery. But did you know they can also come from dry-cleaned clothing, synthetic lawn and garden fertilizers and pesticides? Other harmful chemicals can off-gas and accumulate from seemingly innocent cleaning products, air fresheners, candles, even personal care products. The best solution is to use natural alternatives wherever you can. Believe it or not, airborne lead dust and asbestos are still causing health problems. If you suspect your home contains exposed lead paint or asbestos that s been disturbed, get a professional inspection immediately. Find out more at BobVila.com: the ultimate home improvement web site! 2008 BobVila.com

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Indoor Air Quality

Here's a startling fact: the EPA has warned that indoor air pollution is often much higher than outdoors. Here are some obvious ways you can control the build-up of toxic vapors and bacteria inside your home. Never store more than a few pieces of firewood inside. Install carbon monoxide detectors, and store recycling newspapers, cans, and bottles outdoors.

Gas Range Cleaning Tips

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. Cleaning a gas range requires a little more effort than cleaning an electric range, but neglecting to do so can render it inefficient and eventually useless. Spattered, cooked-on food can clog the openings of the burner assembly, making it burn inefficiently. After a while, the burner can fail to light, driving some people to break out the matches. Your best bet is to wipe up spills with warm soapy water right after they happen. Avoid abrasive cleansers that will scratch the porcelain or glass finish on your appliance. Just like a car, you should check under the hood every few months. You can lift up the whole top of your range by pulling out or up on the front corners of the top panel. There are small openings on the burner assembly that keep the flame functioning properly. Use a straight pin, a paper clip or fine wire to clean but not enlarge them. Check the flash tube opening, the pilot opening if your range has one and the flame openings in the crown of the burner. Don t use a toothpick or anything else that could break and clog the hole. Gas leaks are potentially very dangerous. If you ever smell gas, check that the burners are all turned off. If your stove has a pilot light, check that it s lit. If that isn t the problem, leave the house immediately and call the gas company. To catch early warning signs, carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in homes with gas appliances. Cooking with gas costs half of what it would cost to cook on electric ranges. Keeping your range clean will keep it that way. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Repairing and Relining the Chimneys

One of the home improvement projects for the Melrose home was to repair the chimney. The chimneys for the furnace and the fireplace were both in need of repair. The furnace chimney flue needed to be relined to meet code. A flexible stainless-steel liner will protect the home from fire danger or carbon monoxide poisoning. Jack Frederick of Frederick Gerraghty reviews some of the technology that went into the fireplace. The pipe used in this project had a double wall which protects the heat of the natural draft needed to properly vent chimneys. Three-foot, twist-lock lengths of pipe were assembled on site and dropped down from the top of the chimney. The fireplace chimney needed urgent attention both inside and out, so a new gas fireplace insert could go in the hearth opening. There was a lot of damage to the brick at the top of the chimney. The bricks were removed and replaced by Tim Martinson of Upside Down Chimney Sweeps. Some of the bricks were very loose and were removed and re-mortered.