Mold Remediation FAQ's

Are you familiar with the statement, "There is more than meets the eye"? This statement doesn’t only apply to situations like "judging a book by its cover"; it can relate to the condition of a building. For example, just because you can see a problem, doesn’t mean things like mold infestation isn’t there. This is a scary thought considering the negative effects mold can have on a building.

So what exactly is mold, and why does it grow in homes around America. The main reason why mold will grow in a home or apartment starts with a damp area. If an area in your home stays moist and humid, mold will flourish. The reason behind this is because mold is a type of fungus that thrives just like a plant would with water. What makes mold worse than a plant is that it does not need sunlight to grow rapidly; it actually is the opposite when it comes to this harmful fungus.

The main danger associated with mold is breathing it in. You do not want to breathe in mold, just like you would not want to eat food that has mold on it. It’s the same concept. The fungus is not healthy to the lungs, and it can actually attack your lungs if you breathe it for extended periods of time. Another reason why it is dangerous is because you cannot simply clean it away with a household cleaner like bleach. It takes a professional to rid your home of harmful mold that might be growing.

The best way to save your home from mold is to call in a mold remediation expert. They will treat the problem directly and will spray special chemicals that will help prevent the mold from growing back. Another way to keep mold from growing is by keeping your home at a constant temperature and using dehumidifiers in areas of your home that stay moist. These few steps in mold prevention can literally save the health of you and your family.

Many people attempt to handle mold problems themselves, or they do not know they have mold at all. If you suspect a problem in your home, you should call in a professional to remediate the mold. The professional will check to where there are problematic areas, and will give you a free estimate as to how much it costs to perform the remediation. Mold is simply not safe to have in your home, and should be taken seriously, so do not delay at handling this problem.

Miracle Spa In The Palm Of Your Hands!

Dermaglow Miracle Spa, is a NEW range of organic and natural home products that wrap your skin in a luxurious spa sensation. Developed by leading pharmacist Calvin Davies founder of Vital Science skin health in Canada, this exclusive range combines gentle Dead Sea salts and sea mineral exfoliants in delicate blends of the finest essential oils. Inspired by nature Miracle Spa creates a spa good feeling from head to toe taking you a step closer to the skin you were born in!

Miracle Spa Exfoliants
Dermaglow Miracle Facial

Massage this miracle facial scrub into the skin and reveal a softer, regenerated complexion. Using a mild exfoliant Miracle Facial detoxifies and purifies the skin. Rich in natural botanicals and essential oils skin is intensely nourished and hydrated and is ideal for sensitive skins with its anti bacterial and healing properties. Use twice a week for radiant and healthy skin.

Dermaglow Miracle Bath salts
Relax and indulge in a sea of purifying mineral salts. The detoxifying formula speeds up biological healing and skin regeneration with naturally cleansing and toning properties.

Dermaglow Miracle Body Buff
Relieve dry skin instantly with this unique buff containing a blend of dead salts, nourishing botanical oils that stimulate blood circulation, balance skin acidity and reduce water retention. Used once a day this healing and repairing scrub is ideal for the treatment of eczema and psoriasis and can help reduce ingrown hairs and back acne.

Dermaglow Miracle Manicure and Pedicure Scrub
Soften skin on hands and toes with this intensely exfoliating scrub. Massage into the palm of dry hands or sweep over feet, push back cuticles, rinse under water for instant spa luxury. A rich blend of oils such as peppermint and orange oil with antiseptic and antiviral properties care for and the skin and invigorate the senses. Ideal for daily use and suitable for diabetics.

Dermaglow Miracle Manicure and Miracle Pedicure Crème
For perfect nails and toes these products relieve dry, rough hands and feet, repair cuticles and cracked heels and heal skin with natural antiseptic and anti fungal properties. Foot care is particularly important for people with diabetes and Miracle Pedicure contain Grapeseed Oil. This healing antioxidant helps fragile capillaries and poor circulation, binding the capillary walls making them less likely to breakdown, reducing the risk of infection and damage.

Dermaglow Miracle Cuticle
Nourish nails with this rich crème using Marine Protein that helps skin regenerate and diminishes the signs of ageing. Collagen maintains the skins integrity and strengthens nails. Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin E nourish the nail and maintain hydration.

Create A Home Spa Experience - Homemade Facials, Scrubs, And More

The same stress in our daily lives that makes us yearn for a spa experience often keeps us from taking the time out from a busy schedule to book a day of relaxation. Even with time, a day at the spa can be a big hit to wallet. While I often can’t find the time (or budget) to be pampered in a luxurious spa, I do my best to treat myself with a home spa experience. When I take a few hours out of my schedule to treat myself right, I am rejuvenated and energized to take on the daily grind!

I start with an extra-special bath experience by turning off the lights and using candles and incense to set the mood. While filling the tub with great smelling products, like chamomile and lavender for relaxation or rosemary and mint for rejuvenation, I set up the CD player with some groovy tunes and turn off the phone. High quality soaps and scrubs, along with a terry cloth face mitt, round out my routine. I always keep plenty of fresh-smelling, fluffy towels for the finish.

Now it’s time out for my face. I like to start with a scrub to remove dead skin and prevent blackheads. In a small bowl, mix equal parts olive oil and granular brown sugar, and add a few drops of essential oil. I often use lavender and orange oil, but in a pinch, I’ve used a few drops each of orange and vanilla extract – it’s not surprising that I was dreaming of Dreamsicles while I scrubbed! Gently scrub your face and neck in small circles for a few minutes, avoiding the eye area.

My skin tends to be as mercurial as my moods, so I whip up a mask based on how it feels that day.

· To remove blackheads: I mix a little warm water with baking soda, work it gently into the T-zone, and leave it on for 3-5 minutes.

· To moisturize: I mash 2 parts avocado with 1 part honey, apply and leave on for about 15 minutes before rinsing with cool water. Hint: If the doorbell rings ignore it – a bright green face scares small children and men!

· To reduce oil: Whip up a whole egg with a spoonful of honey and a few drops of lemon juice. The egg white pulls out the oil, the vitamin A in the yolk helps heal blemishes, and the lemon is an astringent. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse with cool water.

· To firm: Whisk together a spoonful each of honey and glycerin with an egg white and a few pinches of flour to create a paste. Rinse with cool water after 10-15 minutes.

After any of these treatments, gently pat your face dry with a towel and moisturize well.

To get my body smooth and add a glow to my skin, nothing beats a great salt scrub. Simply combine 1 cup of course sea salt or kosher salt with 1/2 cup of almond or olive oil and a spoonful of Vitamin E oil. Add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance. Scrub all over, giving special attention to any rough patches, especially elbows and knees! To avoid irritation, be sure to either shave before scrubbing or wait a day to shave.

To finish off I give myself a manicure and pedicure. Summer feet are for showing off so be sure to take the time to remove all the rough spots!

A home spa day isn’t as fabulous as getting the deluxe treatment at a “real” spa, but it’s a great way to rejuvenate and feel better about yourself without putting a big strain on your wallet!

http://www.swapthing.com is a site focused on building a strong swap community online. The ShareThing program helps non-profits get access to item & cash donations as well as volunteers and professional services.

This article comes with reprint rights. You are free to reprint and distribute it, as you like. All that we ask is that you do not make any changes, that this resource text is included, and that the link above is intact.

Spring Planting Tips

Spring means that the garden centers are packed with people, and car trunks are packed with plants. Everybody has dirt on their knees, dirt under their nails, and are excited about gardening. To make certain that this excitement yields positive results, let's discuss the basics in this article of spring planting tips. 

Installing new plants and having them grow successfully is not difficult, nor is it as complicated as some would have you think. Is it as easy as just digging a hole and setting the plant in? Yes, it certainly can be. I won't get into bed preparation, as I have covered that in other articles that are available athttp://www.freeplants.com

 Let's start with B&B plants. B&B is short for balled in burlap. Closely examine the ball on the plant that you have purchased. Did the diggers wrap twine around the ball to hold the plant secure? If they did, you should at least cut the twine and lay it in the bottom of the hole, or remove it completely. Pay close attention around the stem of the plant where it emerges from the root ball, as diggers often wrap the twine around the stem several times as they tie the ball. This is extremely important because if the string is nylon, it will not rot and will girdle and kill the plant two or three years from now. 

When B&B plants are stored in the nursery for extended periods of time it becomes necessary to re-burlap them if the bottom starts to rot before the plants are sold. If the plant that you buy has been re-burlaped it is possible that there could be nylon stings between the two layers of burlap, check the stem carefully. As long as the nylon string is removed from around the stem of the plant, it is actually harmless around the rest of the ball, and you do not have to remove it. 

Is the root ball wrapped in genuine burlap, or imitation burlap made of a non-biodegradable plastic material? 

Genuine burlap will rot quickly underground and does not have to be disturbed before planting. If you're not sure or suspect a poly type burlap, you don't have to remove it completely, but should loosen it around the stem of the plant and cut some vertical slices around the circumference of the ball. 

More spring planting tips . . .

Now here's the critical part. What kind of soil are you planting in? 

If your soil is heavy clay, I highly suggest that your raise the planting bed at least 8” with good rich topsoil. If you can't do that for some reason, install the plant so that at least 2” or more of the root ball is above the existing grade and mound the soil over the root ball. Keep in mind that plants installed this way could dry out over the summer, but planting them flush with the ground in heavy clay can mean that the roots will be too wet at other times of the year. 

The “experts” suggest that when planting in clay soil you dig the hole wider and deeper than the root ball and fill around and under the plant with loose organic material. That sounds like a really great idea doesn't it? Some of these experts also recommend that you dig the hole extra deep and put a few inches of gravel in the bottom for drainage. Where do you suppose they think this water is going to “drain” to? 

Keep in mind that most B&B plants are grown in well drained soil. That means that the soil in the root ball is porous and water can easily pass through. Now imagine if you will, a root ball about 15” in diameter, setting in a hole 30” diameter. All around and under that root ball is loose organic matter. Inside of that root ball is porous soil. Now along comes Mother Nature with a torrential downpour. There is water everywhere, and it is not going to soak into that hard packed clay soil, so it is just flowing across the top of the ground searching for the lowest point. 

When it reaches our newly planted tree surrounded by loose organic matter, it is going to seep in until the planting hole is completely full of water. (Remember my article on getting rid of standing water and the French drain system?) By using this planting technique we have actually created a French drain around our poor little plant that can not tolerate its roots being without oxygen for long periods of time. Because the bottom of this hole is clay, even though we've added gravel for drainage, there is nowhere for the water to go, and this plant is going to suffer and likely die. 

If you can not raise the planting bed with topsoil, and are planting in clay soil, I recommend that you install the root ball at least 2” above grade and backfill around the ball with the soil that you removed when you dug the hole. Backfilling with the clay soil that you removed is actually like building a dam to keep excess water from permeating the root ball of your newly planted tree. The plant is not going to thrive in this poor soil, but at least it will have a chance to survive. 

More spring planting tips . . .

Once again, raising the bed with good rich topsoil is the best thing you can do to keep your plants healthy and happy.

No matter what kind of soil you have, be careful not to install your plants too deep. They should never be planted any deeper than they were grown in the nursery. Planting too deep is a common problem, and thousands of plants are killed each year by gardeners who just don't understand how critical planting depth is. 

Staking newly planted trees is always a good idea. If your new tree constantly rocks back and forth when the wind blows it will have a very difficult time establishing new roots into the existing soil. Stabilize the tree with a stake. You can use a wooden stake, a fence post, or for small trees I often use 1/2” electro magnetic tubing, (conduit), available at any hardware store. 

You can secure the tree to the stake with a single wrap of duct tape. In about six months or a year the sun will dry the glue on the duct tape and it will fall off. Check the tape to make sure that it has fallen off. You don't want to girdle the tree with the tape. 

More spring planting tips . . .

Container grown plants are much easier. Follow the rules for depth of planting as described earlier. Before gently removing the plant from the container check the drain holes in the bottom of the container for roots that might be growing out the holes. If so cut them off so they will not make it difficult to get the plant out of the container. 

The easiest way to remove the plant from the container is to place your hand over the top of the container and turn it completely upside down and give it a gentle shake. The plant should slide right into your hand. 

Examine the root mass as you hold it in your hand. Sometimes when plants have been growing in a container for a long time the roots start to grow in a circular pattern around the root mass. This is not good, and you should disturb these roots before planting so you can break this circular pattern. You can take a knife and actually make about three vertical slices from the top of the root mass to the bottom. This will stimulate new roots that will grow outward into the soil of your garden. Or you can just take your fingers and loosen the roots that are circling the root mass and force them outward before you plant them. 

What about fertilizer, bone meal, peat moss, and all those other additives they are going to try and sell you at the garden center? 

Raise your planting beds with good rich topsoil and forget about the additives. Be very careful with fertilizers, they can do more harm than good. I landscaped my house 14 years ago and I haven't got around to fertilizing the plants yet, and have no intention of doing so. They look great. 

As far as bone meal and all those other soil additives are concerned, don't get too caught up in all that stuff. The only thing that I know for sure is that they will make your wallet thinner, but I don't think you'll see a difference in your plants. Over the years I've landscaped several hundred homes with fantastic results, and I never added any of these additives to my planting beds.

Chelsea Tractors

Historically 4x4 and SUV vehicles were used by farmers and agricultural personnel. Of late though, BMW X5s, Audi Q7s and Range Rovers have become as common as a normal medium sized family car. You may have noticed that there are much more female owners and drivers of 4x4s, whereas historically women would have shied away from such large cars. 

With the increase of popularity of these large SUV type vehicles demand for a used Land Rover in Surrey has increased immensely. As well as standard models, third part companies have got involved in modifying and making SUVs unique to the owner. Afzal Kahn and his team at Project Kahn are heavily involved in modifying Land Rover models. 

Bespoke and modified Land Rovers are not just limited to the popular Ranger Rover and Range Rover Sport; Afzal Kahn has recently released an “enhanced” Land Rover Discovery. Project Kahn have changed the front and rear arch spats, front and rear bumper unit, and added a twin mesh grille, side vents, L.E.D running lights. They have changed the ride height by adding lowered sports suspension and added an exhaust system. Tinted glass and innovative 22" RS-R wheels finish off the exterior. 

Prior to the Discovery Project Kahn released the Silver Range Rover Autobiography. It has a full Project Kahn body kit consisting of; a new front and rear bumper, front bumper spoiler, front bumper billet rings, side skirts, rear bumper including rear diffuser, quad exhaust system and of course, RS wheels accommodating the original Land Rover centre caps.