Is CORK flooring for you?

Have you been looking at sustainable flooring alternatives to wood flooring.
Read further if you cannot decide if Cork flooring is suitable for you.
Cork flooring has the following characteristics:

- Cork is a renewable resource. The bark of the Cork tree is peeled to make cork products. In a few years, the bark grows back and ready to be harvested again.

- Cork is a fairly good insulator that will not conduct heat like wood or tile flooring. It is not a good option for radiant heat.

- Cork feels great to walk on barefoot because it feels soft and it is never too hot or too cold.

- It is not hard surface, so it is great for children's rooms.

- It is a great choice for areas such as kitchens or laundry rooms, where you stand for long periods of time. However, any water spill should be cleaned up fairly quickly.

- Cork in its nature does not offgas. However be sure that the product you buy is treated with low or zero VOC finish.

- Cork flooring is available in floating panels that snap together and is ideal for a DYI application. There is an air space under the panels. Make sure that a felt underlayment is installed to prevent excessive noise when you walk.

available in many colors (Cork by DuraDesign)

- There are a wide array of finishes and looks available to fit your taste.

You can mix different colors to create a design of your choice.

- Cork flooring can be recycled.

- It is not an ideal product for a sunny area because it fades in bright light.

We love this product because of its wonderful qualities and availability in a variety of colorful finishes.

Keep pollution out of your home

 Keep your indoor air quality at healthy levels, follow these simple steps recommended by American Lung Association.

• Declare your home a smokefree zone.  Never let anyone smoke indoors. Ask smokers to go outside.
• Test your home for radon, an invisible gas that causes lung cancer.  Every home should be tested since radon may be found in any home.  If your home has high radon, it can be fixed.
• Keep humidity levels under 50 percent.  Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner, as needed. Clean equipment regularly so they don't become a source of pollution themselves. Open windows or use the ventilator in the kitchen when boiling liquids.
• Be sure to replace filters on heaters and purifiers as often as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Fix all leaks and drips in the home. Standing water and high humidity encourage the growth of mold and other pollutants.
• Put away food, cover trash and use baits for pest control and not pesticides.
• Avoid burning wood because it adds pollution indoors and out.  Don't use outdoor wood boilers, also called hydronic heaters, to heat your home's water. They add unhealthy soot to the air in your neighborhood. 
• Install a carbon monoxide detector in any room with a fireplace, gas heater, gas dryer, or gas stoves. Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and is called the silent killer. The first signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are headaches and flue-like symptoms without a fever.
• Don't use scented candles or fragrances to hide odors. Figure out what is causing the odor, then clean that up and ventilate to add fresh air.
• Use cleaning, household and hobby products that are less toxic. Don't store hazardous chemicals in your home.

Tankless water heaters versus Hybrid water heaters

It really seems like a total waste of energy when you consider traditional water heaters constantly heating a 40 gallons of water even when not in use, day or night. And then if two or more people shower one ends up rinsing with COLD water.

traditional tank water heater

A tank water heater should be replaced afeter 10 years. Most home owners however only replace theirs when it breaks which usually means lots of water every where which can cause other problems. So check the date of intallation on your water heater and act swiftly if approaching the end of life.

As the cost of energy rises, many are switching over to Tankless or Hybrid water heaters. Also there is a 30% federal tax credit allowance for tankless water heater.
Tankless water heaters have been around for a while and widely used in European and Asian countries. Hybrid water heaters are a new technology only available to the masses since 2008.
Here is a comparison of the two:

Tankless water heaters:
There are many foreign and domestic tankless water heater manufacturers.

how a tankless water heater works

- Tankless are generally Gas powered (Natural or Liquid Propane Gas) are the only type that can provide enough hot water, electric models require a lot of power and are not economical. Electricity; however, is needed to control the heating process, the computer that controls the valves. These can be run on a backup battery system if desired at additional cost.

- Tankless water heaters as the name implies do not store any hot water, but they heat water on demand.  The water is forced through a spiral of pipes, called a heat exchanger, and a gas heater heats the pipes which in turn heats the water that flows through the pipe.
Endless hot water since there is no tank to run of hot water. That is important if you want to take a bath and have hot water left over.

-Tankless water heaters are very energy efficient. In fact about 98% efficiency means that only 2% of the energy is wasted on and not used for heating the water that used immediately.

Rheem tankless water heater

Traditional tankless water heaters are 30% to 50% to start with. As sediments and other build up in the tank this number reduce rapidly over time.

-You always get clean water, where as bacteria, rust and sediments are common features of tank water heater as they get older.

- Tankless water heaters are available in different sizes and if sized right, multiple people can take showers at the same time and not to worry about cold showers.

 - Tankless Water Heaters need a minimum flow to operate, usually 05. Gallon per minute (GPM). That is you cannot have the faucets just trickling hot water when brushing or shaving, a bad idea anyway, wastes too much water.

- The cost of tankless water heaters vary anywhere from $300 to $2000 depending on manufacturer and size.  

How a hybrid water heater works

Hybrid Water Heater

GE and Eternal are the two name brands of Hybrid water heaters.

-Hybrids use both a small tank, usually about 2 gallons where the water is kept hot. So instead of having a 40 gallon tank like your regular water the Hybrid works similar to a tankless but has a 2 gallon tank.
The water is drawn from the small tank and the unit replenishes as it is getting used. This allows for  “trickling” hot water, for instance when brushing teeth.

-Hybrids are about 94% efficient due to the heat loss through the 2 gallon tank, but there is a small chance of sediment buildup again because of the small tank.

-Hybrid water heaters cost around $1100 to $2700 depending on the manufacturer and brands.

It's Fall! A great time to prepare your home for Winter

The chill of winter will be arriving soon. Fall is a great time to inspect your home to get ready for Winter.
Check you windows, doors, and heating now and save on your energy bill later.
While you are at it, create a diagram or list for next year and schedule this maintenance on your calender.

Check your furnace

A bad or old filter will be unhealthy and will let dust particles loose in your home and can cause  respiratory issues. Change the filter now. Date your filter and note the date of next change on the filter. Usually, filters need to be changed every three months while the furnace is in use. Clean the ducts from dust and debris. Clean and Fix any vents that are dirty, loose or broken.

Turn the furnace on to make sure it is in a good condition.  Call a professional if you are unsure.

Smoke and carbon monxide detectors

If you have not done so yet, install a carbon monixide detector in your home. Test all detectors and make sure you have batteries at hand if they start chirping if they run on batteries.

Check indoors and outdoors for leaks

Check all indoor  and outdoor faucets and plumbing for leaks and take care of it before the cold weather arrives. Don't forget to include your dishwasher and clothes washer in this list.


Inspect you gutters. Clean them out to prevent overflow onto your eaves and creating wood rot. Fix any loose gutters or down spouts now. Run some water in your downspouts to make sure they are unclogged in time for the first rain. Be sure to check the gutters every time after any storm. Your gutter covers can be blown loose or damages by the wind or tree branches.

Check your roof and flashing and make sure they are watertight. Replace any loose or worn out shingles.

House Foundation

Inspect the crawl space below your home. Cracks in your foundation should be looked at and fixed.
Pipes and wiring under the house often are long overlooked till there is a major and costly issue.
Look for any cracks. Clean out any dead critters if they got there and fix and secure any broken vents to prevent them from getting under the house.

More things to be done

Secure any loose objects outdoors that might be getting blown in the wind or storm. Remove and cover any outdoor furniture to prevent them from collecting dirt and mildew in the rain.
Repare any cracks in your driveway and seal your decks before the first heavy rain.

What are you breathing? What are Indoor Air Pollutants?

This data has been gathered from US  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
If you face issues with these pollutants you can consult EPA website for more information and solutions.
You can eliminate the source, or reduce their impact, using adequate ventilation and air cleaners.
These are some common sources of household indoor air pollution:

Pet Dander and Hair
Pets can trigger allergy and asthma attacks due to dander and hair. Keep them out of the sleeping areas, and away from upholstered furniture, carpets, and stuffed toys. Vacuum and clean carpets, rugs, and furniture often.

Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke from cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products can trigger asthma and other respiratory illnesses especially in children. To help protect children from secondhand smoke, do not smoke or allow others to smoke inside your home or car.

Mold
Bathrooms are a common source of mold. Humidity from showers can cause moisture problems, which will lead to mold growth. Mold can cause allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory ailments. Installing and using a ventilation fan will help to control moisture and inhibit mold growth.

In air tight homes, windows and doors seal to save energy. Moisture can get trapped and condensate around windows when indoor air is warmer than outside. This can cause mold in areas surrounding the window. It is difficult to see, because window coverings can hide these areas. This mold may look like fine black dust or spots. Do not blow this into the air by wiping or vacuuming. It requires handling with protection. There are natural home solutions that you can use to clean. Wear gloves and a face mask. Rinse everything properly.
Ventilate on a regular basis. Dehumidifiers in living spaces can help prevent moisture buildup.

Dust
Dust mites can trigger allergy and asthma attacks. Dust mites are everywhere especially on pillows, blankets, carpets, upholstered furniture, and stuffed toys Dust and vacuum your home regularly, wash bedding, and use allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers.

Pesticides and herbicides
Most of these chemicals can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat; damage the central nervous system and kidneys; and increase the risk of cancer. Don’t leave food out, and if you must use them, ventilate during and after use and follow directions to limit exposure. Use non-chemical methods of pest and weed control as much as possible.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Common household cleaners, often placed under the kitchen sink, release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), when used and stored. Store household products that contain chemicals according to manufacturers’ instructions and keep all products away from children. Consider purchasing cleaners without VOCs.

Paint, furniture stain, carpet, carpet glue, manufactured countertops, upholstery fabric, and other furnishings also contain chemicals with VOCs. However, it is possible to find VOC-free alternatives for all if them. Buying used furniture is often better because they have already off-gassed their VOCs.

In basements or your chemical storage areas seal cracks, ventilate, and properly store all chemicals where they will not spill.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)
As of July 2011, California requires all homes to be equipped with carbon monoxide detectors in living spaces. Fireplaces and leaking chimneys are sources of carbon monoxide. Ventilate rooms that have fireplaces, make certain the flue damper is operational and fully open when in use, and ensure the chimney is properly sealed.
Combustion heating and cooling appliances such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units, gasoline-powered heaters, and other appliances are sources of carbon monoxide as well. Properly install, use, and maintain fuel-burning appliances. To help prevent carbon monoxide exposure, make sure appliances such as gas stoves and fireplaces vent to the outside whenever possible and that all appliances are properly installed, used, and maintained.

Radon
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers in the U.S. It is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter a home through cracks and openings in floors and walls that are in contact with the ground. Testing your home is simple and inexpensive. Learn more

- Existing Homes: Test for radon — testing is the only way to know if radon is in your home. Do-it-yourself test kits are convenient and accessible, or you may choose to have a professional test your home. If the test result indicates your radon level is too high, a qualified radon service professional can install a radon mitigation system.
      
- New Construction: Radon-resistant new construction (RRNC) draws radon from the soil and vents it through a pipe to the roof, preventing its entry into the house. This technique uses common materials and building skills. RRNC costs less than retrofitting a similar radon reduction system after the house is finished. New home buyers should ask their build to include RRNC features. All new homes, even new RRNC ones, should be tested for radon.


(source: US Environmental Protection Agency)

Tips to make your office greener, save energy and dollars:

Today more than ever we need to invest our money wisely. The following tips can save your $$$ while being kinder to the environment.
Go Paperless- Try minimize printing as much as possible by storing files on an electronic medium such as your computer hard drive, CDs or DVDs. 

Buy Recycled Paper- If you must print, buy reams of recycled paper. These days they are quite acceptable. Print on both sides of paper.

Rechargeable Batteries- Keep used batteries out of landfill. Buy rechargeable batteries and have enough to swap when needed.

Smart Strip

Energy use: Place your electronics on a power strip. Turn the power strip off when electronics are not in use. If you have to have a server or fax machine on, use a "smart" power strip.
Use fluorescent or LED light bulbs. Today, you can find replacement bulbs for all existing lamps. LED light bulbs are a little more expensive but they have a longer lamp-life.

Instead of running the air conditioned, open windows if your outdoor air quality is acceptable. Ceiling fans also use less energy than air conditioners.

Energy Star rated office equipment- Compare energy ratings before you buy. The price tag may seem low at the time of purchase, but you could pay a lot more in energy costs.

Recycling bins: Label and place recycling bins near your work area so they are convenient to use.

E-waste: batteries, computers, printers, toner cartridges, etc used to end up in the landfill. Now there are better and safer ways to get rid of them. You can list them on www.freecycle.org, contact your communities e-waste recycling center, or check www.earth911.com to find a safe disposal/recycling center for them. Many office supply stores now take your empty cartridges. Place a box or bucket next to your desk to store empty cartridges temporarily till you are ready to take them to your recycling center.
 Reduce your vehicle use- Combine trips to lower your miles, save on gas, and time. Make a list of things you need to do and the location and see how they can best be combined in as few trips as possible.
Use earth-friendly cleaning products- When purchasing cleaning products, use all purpose cleaners that are better for the environment. Click here for tips on selcting green cleaning products. 

Green-It-Yourself- a guide to smart home improvement

Put your money where it counts the most. When coosing to renovate, do what can improve your health, help the environment, and save money in the long run.
Focus your dollars on  energy efficicinecy, water conservation and green materials. Always go for the low hanging fruit. Window coverings, weather stripping, low flow facet aerators, and efficient furnace filters cost little and save a lot of money.

I found a new handout from San Mateo County RecycleWorks that is an excellent green guide for DIY-ers.  Click here to download.
Please take some time to read the content.
I hope you enjoy reading the materials and descide to implement a few.
Live healthy, live happy.

Teen Bedroom- make it easier for her to clean her own bedroom

Bedroom design for a 14-year old girl who suffers from Asthma. To adhere to her budget we opted for Ikea formaldehyde-free furniture. We are also using organic cotton bedding, strand bamboo flooring, natural latex mattress and colorful accents. The client loves to read. An Ikea bookcase provides plenty of storage for her books. A reading nook with a view of the outdoors makes up a special place for reading. Organized, clutter-free, and beautiful to hang out with friends. More importantly, she can clean this space easily herself.

Carpet - 3 healthier alternatives - If you must have carpet!

In general I prefer hard flooring because I can see dirt and dust and it can be cleaned and mopped.

Traditional plush wall to wall carpeting is never clean. There is a saying that if you remove wall to wall carpeting in 7 years, it is 7 times heavier than the first day it was installed.
Dirt, dust, pet hair and dander accumulate and compact down. Professional cleaning can only clean so much of it. Stains often just sink further down and may look clean, but surface in matter of weeks again.
Carpet, glues and padding often offgas VOCs for a long time.

When a client must have carpet, I suggest a few alternatives:

- Area rugs in natural fiber: Sisal, cotton, and wool.
They can be dragged out and cleaned the old fashioned way with water and detergent. They can be removed by a professional taken for a bath and brought back.
Natural dyes are your best choice because they are free of petrochemicals. The color improves over time. Quality wool rugs improve with age and professional cleaning actually improve the texture and color.

- Commercial low pile carpeting: because of the low pile dust and dirt do not sink in as much and can be vacuumed thoroughly.
Opt for LOW VOC installation. There is usually no padding involved. 

- Carpet tiles: Used to be only available in commercial grade. Recently many residential carpet manufacturers offer carpet tiles. Individual tiles can be removed washed, dried and placed back in place. It is also possible to arrange into a creative area rug.
Ask for LOW VOC. There is no padding or glue to worry about.

A Healthy Nursery

Newborns are most susceptible to chemicals and toxins. They spend 10-17 hours in the nursery. Before your baby's arrival, take some steps to create a healthy environment in your nursery. It should be a safe sanctuary for you and your baby.

Paint: Choose a non toxic paint. There are now zero VOC water-based paints available in most stores. As extra precaution, pregnant women should not be painting at all. Leave it to a friend to help for a lovely meal in exchange. Stay away till the paint cures for at lest 48 hours. Make sure the room has adequate ventialtion while it is being painted. Paint the room at least one month before the baby is due.
Stay away from wallpapers. They may contain vinyl and glues that can off-gas for a long time.

Beware if your home was built before 1980. It most likely contains lead paint. Hire a contractor certified in lead abatement. A list of certified contractors are available in your area. Consult the web or yellow pages to chose a qualified professional.

Flooring: Solid flooring surfaces are the best choice. Natural linoleum, natural cork, or bamboo with zero VOC stains are ideal flooring. If you must have a rug, make it of natural cotton and wash frequently.
Avoid any other type of carpeting.

Furniture: Solid natural wood is the best choice for your baby's crib. Look for one with non-toxic glues and finishes. Choose furniture with zero-VOC stains or paints. I love Ikea furniture because they do not contain toxins.
Believe or not hand me downs or second-hand furniture are a great choice. They have a lot of character and probably are better quality than the new counterparts. They have already off-gassed all toxins. Clean them thoroughly, cover with a  fresh coat of non-toxic paint to give them new life before bringing them indoors.
Choose organic cotton or wool with natural dyes for bedding. Choose wool, cotton or Natural latex mattress.

Toys and accessories:  Plastic is a by-product of the petroleum industry and contributes to indoor air pollution. Avoid plastic toys and furnishings in the room and near your baby.

Cleaning products: The nursery should be more frequently dusted and cleaned preferably when the baby is not in the room. Avoid spraying any cleaners in the air. Instead spray the cleaning towels before entering the room. Use natural cleaners around your home and in the nursery. Simple home-made solutions are best cleaners.

Ventilation, heating: Be sure you have adequate ventilation in the room. Natural fresh air ventilation is the best unless you have poor outdoor air quality. In that case be sure that you have good mechanical ventilation. During cold months, check the windows periodically to make sure there is no excess precipitation that can result in mold growth. If that happens be sure to consult a professional for cleanup.
 Upgrade heater, air conditioner/ventilation filters and change the air filters as recomended.

Window Coverings: Choose natural, organic fibers for curtains that can easily be removed and cleaned.
If you are choosing wood shutters, make sure they are treated with zero-VOC paint or stain. Aluminum blinds are also a good option. Stay away from vinyl (PVC) blinds.

Noise pollution: Choose an area of your home for nursery that is free of "noise pollution".

Clutter-free: Clutter and dust go hand in hand. Avoid having non-essestial items. Keep purely decorative objects to a minimum.

Live happy and healthy.

Removing double-sided foam tape from your walls requires harsh chemicals!

The daughter of a client on mine had covered her walls in her room with posters adhered using a strong version of this tape. Since she moved out to college, clients would like to paint and furnish it as a guest bedroom.
The painters were trying to remove the tape residue to no avail. They called me in!

They had already tried sanding and scraping, and the foam residue was still there and the sander was just getting clumped up.

They said they had to get "Goof Off" to soak it and hope it would come off and they knew I was not going to be happy at this solution.
They needed my approval before proceeding. I was terrified at the thought of using it especially when I advise against bringing in anything with VOCs in a house. Any product that removes adhesives has strong chemicals with VOC's. .

After some research and agony, decided to send the clients out for the entire day, open all the windows, bring in a large fan to circulate the air and let the paint contractor do his job wearing gloves and masks. Needless to say I was having a headache as soon as they opened the bottles. It was heart-breaking to see the chemical applied all over the walls. Strong chemical was doing its job, but the odor was definitely harsh.
It took about two hours to remove and scrape off the tape residue. It took another 3 hours to really air out the room, so the painters could paint without using respirators. The paint was zero VOC, so it covered the walls and eliminated the remaining odors.
I always recommend to let the room ventilate for 24 hours after painting and before moving in.
Never paint while pregnant. Never move your baby into a freshly painted room. In this case allow 72 hours to one week.

So how do you adhere posters? Use thumb tacks now available in variety of fun colors and shapes at your office supply store.

Lesson learned...

major contributors to allergies around your home or office

If you look closely around an average home or office you will find several allergens that can cause you or your children to react to. Major causes of allergies can be:

• animal dander- pets of any kind can cause allergies. Cats and dogs are the most common. If you have a pet, vaccuum and dust regularly. Groom your pet regularly and periodically, but never groom your pet inside your home or office.





• mold and mildew- any time you have moisture buildup indoors, you are likely to get mold or mildew. Not only in your bathroom, but in dark closets, under your bed, or under your house. Inside near windows, or inside your walls. Look around closely if you suddenly experience respetory issues that occur when you are inside. Never clean mold without adequate protection and wipe it clean without spreading it around. Do not spray cleaning solution onto the area, but spray the rag and then wipe. Be sure to wear gloves and a mask. Make sure your room has adequate ventilation to prevent further mositure buildup.

• dust- number one cause of allergies is dust. Use a duster or dust mop that attracts dust instead of pushing it around and into the air. Make sure your furniture is high enough to reach under for cleaning. Clean often. Declutter, declutter, and declutter. Get rid of small non-functioning niknak dust collectors and piles of paper and magazines.



• VOCs- Furniture, fabric, paint and stains offgas VOCs that can cause headaches. Choose zero-VOC paint and stains. Ventilate the room for a few hours before occupying a freshly panted room.






• Chemicals and cleaning products- Any chemically formulated cleaning product can cause alelrgies or health problems. Use natural simple products. Home made solution of vinegar and baking soda is a good general purpose cleaner.