Tackling Humidity Hazards at Home

With a solid mix of heat, humidity, and rain so far this summer season, now is the perfect time to talk about what high moisture can do to your home. 

Let’s start with a bit of background on mold, which is the biggest threat to homes that hold a lot of humidity. Mold is made up of thousands of microscopic spores that travel through the air until they land on a surface. They love to live in places that hold water, which is why you often see mold growing on trees, roofs, and other places that stay warm and damp. Indoor mold generally develops after being carried in from the outdoors or because of a leak that hasn’t been remedied. Homes that tend to hold a lot of humidity are more susceptible to mold infestation, something that no homeowner wants to deal with. 

Many people can get sick from mold and mildew, especially children and the elderly. It grows and spreads incredibly quickly and cannot be contained without removing its food source, which is water. Once it settles inside a home, mold can cause illness, asthma, and a host of other respiratory issues that can affect a person’s health for life.

So how can you get rid of mold in your living space, or prevent it from making a home in yours? Here are my top tips.

1. Run a dehumidifier in your basement constantly. I have an air-tight finished basement and I still run a dehumidifier 24/7. The goal here is to keep your air humidity at or below 50%. When it’s raining or super humid, don’t be surprised if you have to dump the water collection bucket twice a day. 

2. Always use the extractor fan while showering or cooking. With so much water in the air from the weather, the last thing you want to do is add more moisture inside your home. Be sure that your fans vent outside, not in the attic. Otherwise, you’re just redirecting the moisture to another part of the house. 

3. An air conditioner is not a dehumidifier. Yes it will remove some humidity but an air conditioner’s main function is to cool the air, rather than remove the water. If you find yourself running your A/C unit to control your humidity, you’re going to end up with an expensive energy bill and not too much to show for it.

4. Store unused clothing and linens in airtight plastic. People often put winter clothes and bedding up in the attic, which can be a breeding ground for mold if the area is not ventilated properly. Keeping the attic vented is key, good airflow can slow or even prevent mold growth.

5. Check the drainage around your home. Gutters should be clean and in working order and your landscaping should slope away from the foundation so you don’t have standing water at the base of your house. Make sure your downspouts extend at least four feet out and away from that foundation.

In short, a house with high humidity is nothing to ignore. If you suspect that your home might be susceptible to mold, it’s worth purchasing an inexpensive humidity gauge to find out. Remember, a mold problem can be a serious health risk to your family if not dealt with properly. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Designer Driveways With Big Appeal

These days a driveway is so much more than a place to park your car. In fact, with new designs and fresh takes on old materials, a driveway upgrade can both add curb appeal and increase the value of a house that’s being prepared for listing. 

When choosing driveway material, there is plenty to consider and what works for one house might not work so well for another. So let’s go through the pros and cons of the four most popular options to help you make the best decision for your home.

Asphalt

This is the most popular driveway material and for good reason - it’s practical and easy to install. An average asphalt driveway can typically be laid in a day and if properly maintained, it can last for up to 30 years or more. An asphalt driveway is also a safe bet with our cold winters and hot summers as they can stand up to severe temperature changes. Sounds pretty good right? I think so, but there are a few drawbacks to be aware of. For starters, asphalt only comes in one color - black. So if you’re looking for something special to match the aesthetic of your home, you aren’t going to find it here. Another thing to consider is that asphalt does crack and crumble with age, but problem areas can be resealed so you don’t need to replace the whole driveway with every blemish.

Gravel

For people looking for a solution on a budget, gravel might be the way to go. While they aren’t as popular as they once were, gravel is great for very long or intricately shaped driveways. On the flip side, using loose stones can get very sloppy and you’ll likely find yourself regularly going out to get new materials to replace what’s been lost from both the weather and everyday use. Gravel is also tough to plow and shovel, so take that into consideration if your driveway gets a lot of snow.

Pavers

No one can deny the beauty of a brick or stone driveway. Homeowners love them for an upscale look that can mimic the style of the property while still offering a strong and reliable material that will last for decades. Of course, with beautiful pavers also comes high product and labor costs as each piece has to be laid by hand. Take this into consideration when you’re thinking about which material to use because paver installation will likely have your driveway out of commission for a lot longer than some of the other options.

Concrete

If you’d like a driveway with unique features but don’t want to fork over the cash for pavers, concrete might be your best bet. Concrete is poured quite easily so the installation is relatively fast, although you’ll need to wait a week to drive on it. There are also many options to stamp or dye the material to create a unique look, including mimicking the design of pavers. While concrete is still more expensive than asphalt, it also lasts a really long time - 30 years or more. The downside? Concrete can be susceptible to cracking and can be pricier to fix.

No matter what type of driveway material you decide on, the end result will only be as good as what’s underneath the material. A qualified professional will discuss elevation, drainage, and environmental factors to help you make the best choice for your home.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Update Aluminum Windows for a Cooler Home 6-10-22

If your house still has old aluminum windows and doors, summer can be a very uncomfortable time of the year. Replacing them with vinyl, wood, or fiberglass is both energy-efficient and smart for maintenance, but with so many options it can be hard to know which way to go. So let’s talk about the basics. 

Your choice of window and door material will be based on four very important factors: the climate where you live, the amount of moisture and condensation your home is prone to, the kind of aesthetic you want for your home, and the maintenance required to keep them looking great. Keeping these four deciding features in mind, let’s go through the options.

When it comes to temperature, aluminum conducts heat and cold, which is why it’s a popular choice for cookware. Aluminum windows and doors are notorious for transferring the outside temperature inside which makes them very inefficient in both the winter and the summer. Wood fares better in the extreme seasons, but vinyl and fiberglass windows and doors are made for all-weather and are built specifically to keep the warm air in and the cold air out. Remember that only 10 percent of the window is the frame, so investing in double-pane, energy-efficient glass is your best option, no matter what frame you go with.

With our humid summers and damp winters, moisture is a major factor in deciding whether to upgrade your old windows and doors. Because aluminum transfers heat, it can attract condensation and moisture, which can lead to leaks, mold buildup, and rot inside your wall. The mold build-up I see around old windows would scare the life out of you, especially when you remember that you’re breathing those spores in every day. If you have signs of mildew or corrosion from your aluminum frames, it’s time to get them replaced.

Then there is the “look and feel” factor. Many people started replacing their aluminum windows and doors with vinyl so they could achieve a more contemporary look with the various finishes and designs that vinyl offers. Of course, aluminum products can be painted or powder-coated to match the style of your home, but there will be maintenance to keep them looking great.

That brings us to upkeep. Be aware that any painted product will begin to chip and peel over time. The look of wood is elegant and timeless but it requires regular painting or staining, just like aluminum. Vinyl and fiberglass are very easy to care for and they don’t peel, fade or need to be repainted. These products are not prone to scratches, dings, or dents and can give you a longer, hassle-free lifespan if you take care of them properly.

With summer in full swing, now is a good time to think about replacing old windows and doors for products with maximum energy efficiency and minimal maintenance. If your home still has aluminum and you’re experiencing some of the problems I’ve mentioned, it might be time for an update.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.