Flooding is something we’ve recently experienced on a scale that really hasn’t been seen before.
I’m not a scientist or meteorologist, but experts say this is due to either or both La Niña and climate change.
Flooding – the Primary Effects
Primarily, flooding is going to result in mould issues. Mould is a moisture issue and with the abundance of moisture (rain, on the ground and the high levels of relative humidity), we’re seeing a perfect storm brewing for mould and microbial activity.
The focus of today’s post is the secondary effects.
So, I’ll leave the topic of mould here, with the following pointers:
Anything that’s been wet for more than 48 hours can create the opportunity for mould and microbial activity
Porous materials that have been wet, need to be replaced
Semi- and non-porous materials can be saved, but need to be addressed by the appropriate professionals (those who’ve trained with IICRC and have achieved the Mould Remediation accreditation)
If you want to learn more about dealing with mould, I have a course by that very name – you can check it out here.
As well, we need to keep asbestos, lead and pesticides top of mind – and use PPE where appropriate.
The Secondary Effects of Flooding
Secondary effects are those that come after the immediate cause >> effect. For these, we’ll start more broadly and then narrow it down to our homes and buildings.
Landslides
With all the moisture in the soil, it is possible to have landslides.
Local councils (in Australia) apply different overlays to areas – check with yours to see if you have a landslide overlay on your property.
Falling Trees and Branches
All that water in the soil can loosen tree roots and result in them falling.
As well, the flooding may have killed some trees, and as a result, the trees or their branches can fall.
Obviously, this can result in damage to property or people and animals.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes (or “mossies” as we call them here in Australia) are able to carry diseases.
Apart from that, if you’re like me, you get huge red welts from any bites! (Personal experience has taught me not to scratch!)
It is best not to get bitten – so keeping them out is preferred. Here are some ideas to help with that.
This is as simple as installing fly screens over windows and doors
Mossie zappers can be useful (installed, hanging or even the “table tennis” racquet style [which you can get from camping stores])
If you choose to apply mossie repellents to your skin, choose a natural one, if you can
www.EWG.org will also list options, however, I’ve found that these are often not available in Australia (and I don't recommend purchasing these types of items online from overseas as they may not meet our safety standards)
I’m going to bring back my essential oil based Bug Repellent (contact me if you're interested)
If you opt for a non-natural option, apply an oil-based moisturiser on your skin first, so the repellent sits on the surface of your skin (and is also easier to wash of)
Another way to use the non-natural option is to spray it onto clothing, instead of your skin
DIY – make your own with essential oils, such as tea tree, rosemary, eucalyptus blue mallee, and lavender. You can mix them up in water and spray them on your clothes/skin and reapply every 2-3 hours
Termites
We can expect some pretty big issues with termites with the high levels of moisture.
According to Professor Dieter Hochuli, Integrative Ecology Group at the University of Sydney,
“It’s going to be a massive year for termites as the high levels of soil moisture are ideal for them to burrow and flourish” (ABC News, 31 Oct 22).
A bit like house dust mites, termites thrive in moist conditions.
Termites are attracted by the moisture then go in search of food – wood.
Here are some things to do.
Clear away wood (fallen branches, sleepers, wood piles) from around your home and property
Keep things as dry as you can
Be vigilant – keep an eye on your building, including the subfloor. If you’ve got termite caps at the top of your stumps, then you should be able to spot their activity easily.
Have your home inspected
Termite traps can be useful around your property, too
Cockroaches and Rodents
Cockroaches and rodents (rats and mice), as well as other pests are likely to increase, particularly as the weather warms up.
Some actions that you can take are:
Installing fly screens on windows and doors
Keep your home clean
Clean up food scraps and mess
Ensure your bins close properly
If you’ve got a compost bin, keep it away from the home
If you’ve got chooks, look into getting a feeder that doesn’t spill their food around
Keep pet food (and your own) in sealed containers
Other Steps You Can Take To Reduce the Secondary (and Tertiary) Effects of Flooding
Keep an eye on the relative humidity levels – these should be between 40-60%. A hygrometer is handy for this.
There are many after effects of flooding – apart from the obvious ones. And these secondary effects can also be devastating. Please give these tips a go to protect your health, and that of your home.
Stay safe!
Have you been bamboozled by all the information (and misinformation) about mould?
This Creating a Healthy Home Guide exposes 3 common myths about mould so that you can be empowered to deal with it effectively.
Applying a little foresight and forward planning can help to prevent renovation health hazards. Through the past decade, I have found that many of my clients have experienced health issues due to factors in their homes, I call these hidden hazards.
In order to equip you with information and strategies while renovating your home, I am going to share with you 5 of the common hazards… and give you strategies on how you can tackle them safely and effectively.
Mould
I'd say mould is a “complex beast.” Here are some key points in a nutshell:
Ultimately, mould is a moisture issue. If there’s mould, there has been moisture. Conversely, if something is wet for long enough (48 hours) you can have mould.
There are over 100,000 different types of mould, it comes in many colours and has many different moisture requirements.
It’s a myth that mould only grows in cold, dark places. Mould spores are present everywhere and can become active when there is enough moisture present.
Mould can be actively growing, yet be invisible and/or have no odour.
It’s also a myth that only mould that is black can cause problems to health.
Not everyone reacts the same way to mould. People can be allergic to it, or become sensitised over time. Others may have an immune system that can deal with it without them even realising it!
Mould can grow in all sorts of places – even in areas that you can’t see.
The biggest factor when it comes to renovation health risks is that any time you disturb mould, it releases spores. This means any changes to moisture levels, light, temperature, air movement, as well as physically disturbing it, can result in mould releasing spores.
Keep your eyes peeled for any signs of water, mould or damage: wood with “wood rot” (a.k.a. “water damage”), a “high tide mark” in the subfloor and on the stumps, brown stains (typically on ceilings and walls), paintwork that is peeling, cracked or bubbling, and swollen wood (door jambs, cabinetry, kickboards).
If you spot any of these, get in touch so I can advise on how to best manage the situation.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a material that most of us have heard of. I am sure you also know of the health risks, like mesothelioma that can result from asbestos exposure.
However, it is important to know that asbestos does not pose any health risk if it isn’t damaged or disturbed. Which means, you can live in a 1950s home and have no asbestos-related issues if you don’t make holes in the walls or renovate. This is great news – except if you do want to renovate.
Here are some facts about asbestos.
It’s strong, heat resistant and durable
It was used in a vast range of materials for many decades,
The peak usage of asbestos was 1950s-1970s,
Asbestos was banned in 2003, and
It is impossible to know if a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it.
Apart from “Hardie Boards”, cement-lined asbestos pipes and roof tiles, asbestos was used in electrical cable casing (this is the braided one), window sashes on hung windows, slagging, old laundry tubs, carpet underlays, tiles, bakelite materials and so many other materials.
If your home was built before 2003 and you are planning on a renovation, engage a licensed asbestos inspector to conduct a “demolition survey.”
Lead
Lead has also been widely used in a number of products, and was only phased out from use in paint as recently as 2010. Whilst leaded paint, like asbestos, when it isn’t disturbed poses little risk – if it is sanded or peeling, it can be particularly hazardous to health.
There are often no symptoms of lead poisoning for some years – and common long term effects of lead poisoning include loss of libido, reduced sperm count, lowered IQ, Alzheimer's Disease, hearing loss, joint pain, stroke, and has been linked to many “diseases of ageing.”
Lead can be present in our homes in paint, solder, flashing (which can get into tank water), lead dust (from busy roads and industry) which can get into the soil or roof space, and even lead lighting.
What is important to know with lead is that the “spot tests” that you can get at hardware stores are extremely unreliable. It is for this reason that they are not something that I recommend. Instead, you can get samples analysed by an accredited laboratory.
If you suspect lead might be present then take extra care:
wear a respirator,
gloves and coveralls,
avoid dry sanding,
avoid removing paint with heat guns,
manage the dust to prevent secondary contamination, and of course,
keep pets, pregnant women, young children and the elderly away from areas being renovated.
For more information on lead, a top resource is LeadSafeWorld.
Dust
Dust is certainly something you can certainly expect in any renovation.
But is dust safe?
I always err on the side of caution, and I would say, “no.” Better safe than sorry, right?
Two places where dust pose the biggest risks are carpets and the roof space.
Any time you are doing anything involving the ceiling or roof space be sure to have the dust removed prior. This could be installing insulation to cutting out a piece to installing downlights, and so on.
For carpets, I recommend that you spray them down with water, cut them into strips, roll each strip, wrap in a tarp and take it out to the skip. This will prevent dust becoming airborne as well as reduce the risk of spreading it through other parts of your home.
And of course, personal protective equipment is always recommended!
Plan Ahead and Avoid Renovation Health Hazards
Whilst we know how easy it is to get swept up in the vision and planning… However, you are now armed with important information to protect yourself and your family from the most common renovation health hazards.
If you’d like advice on your particular situation, please book a call with me.
You’re not quite on your game. Your health has declined – your energy is low, you feel “off”, when you wake up you definitely don’t feel vibrant and refreshed any more. Each day has become a struggle and even a morning coffee doesn’t get you through the day.
The doctor says everything is fine, but your gut tells you it isn’t.
You’ve been to numerous health professionals, medical doctors, complementary medicine practitioners, and jeepers, with the amount you have forked out on testing, you are wishing you had bought shares in the pathology labs!
Something isn’t quite right, and you know it.
You’ve started to notice that when you are away from your home that you feel better, and not just because you are on holidays! When you return, so do your symptoms. You being to wonder…
“Could my house be making me sick?”
Before we go any further, I want to share with you some basics of health and detoxification which many people seem to forget about.
Detoxification 101
I’m talking the absolute foundations… and that is why I call it “Detoxification 101.”
Our bodies are truly amazing – we are like finely-tuned machines. We like to keep everything at “normal” – so we remove, address and deal with whatever throws our “normal” out (medically speaking, this is homeostasis).
If we follow the rhythms of nature, we rise to greet the sun, and we sleep while the sun does. The days are shorter in winter, so ours are too.
Because we are designed to sleep at night time, this is the time our body is programmed to clean everything up and actively work to return us to “normal” so that we are completely ready to “do it all again” the next day.
At a minute level, our cells are cleaning everything up, we detoxify, we heal.
However, in the presence of stress, these functions don’t happen.
It is a little like a see-saw. Stress goes up, so detoxification goes down.
And when we are talking stress, we are talking any and every kind of stress.
The air inside our homes is unique and the quality of it is affected by anything and everything that comes into our homes. Research has shown that the indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than the outdoor air! Alarming, right?
Add to that the fact that the majority of people spend around 90-95% of their day indoors, and it starts to become clear why all of this is so important.
When we keep our doors and windows closed, the levels of indoor air contaminants build up and conversely, oxygen levels are reduced.
This can make us feel groggy, confused, itchy, sick… all depending on what is in our homes.
When we open our windows and doors and let the fresh air in, we end up exchanging the air and diluting these levels.
As a result, we often feel fresher, brighter and clear-headed.
Did You Know?
Did you know it is possible to exchange the air in your home in as little as 2 minutes?
By opening all external and internal doors and windows, it can take as few as 2 minutes to change all the air in your home over to fresh air!
“What Can I Do?”
At the very least, exchange the air inside your home each morning, each afternoon and each evening.
Start at your front door and do a lap of your home opening every door and window. Wait two minutes, and the do a lap and close the doors and windows you want closed.
Our shoes get to walk in all sorts of unpleasant things (I’ll leave it with you to think of some. My mind always goes back to the train I used to have to catch that was so foul, I would have a good shower when I got home, too!).
Apart from that, there are also pesticides, pollutants from traffic and roads, heavy metals, dust and so on.
When we wear our shoes inside, we can easily traipse all of this through our homes. From here it either moves about the place as dust, or if you have carpets or rugs, it becomes embedded deep within the pile.
Even a good clean may not remove all of these contaminants.
It is wiser, in my opinion, not to bring them into our homes to start with.
Did You Know?
Carpets act as a “sink” they collect all sorts of contaminants, including skin cells, mould spores and all the things you traipse in on your shoes.
I often think about a carpet as being like an archaeological site – revealing information about the lives of the people living there!
Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial to good health. Sleep is the time when our bodies heal and recover from the day, they detoxify and rejuvenate, they reset ready to carry you through another day.
Our beds are one of the places in our homes that we spend the most time. For these reasons, it is vitally important to get out beds just right, so that they support us in our healing and detoxification processes.
Our beds should not increase our exposure to EMF or chemicals.
There are lots of things to consider with our beds – and in many cases, there are compromises to be made.
Beds and Bedding: Bed Base/Frame
Let’s start with the base – or the frame. Metal is not a good choice as it can conduct some types of EMF and reflect others.
#ideal The best option is a wooden bed frame with a wooden slatted base.
Why?
Because this allows air to flow around the bed, which can assist it in drying out, therefore reducing the risk of mould and house dust mites.
What to look for:
Slats
All wood
Untreated wood (ie not CCA – not the green-tinged wood)
Natural wood (unfinished)
You can apply an oil or varnish that suits your needs. Livos have a good range.
What to avoid:
Beds with a solid base
Beds with storage underneath
Slats that have been coated with polyurethane base
If you are sensitive, you may wish to avoid pine
Beds and Bedding: Mattress
In my opinion, mattresses are the biggest areas of compromise when it comes to beds and bedding.
Here’s the lowdown.
Most mainstream mattress are foam or memory foam. Despite their elaborate marketing phrases, they are made from petrochemicals that off-gas VOCs right in your breathing zone.
I’ve reviewed a product where they claim it is made from the same product as baby oil and therefore it is safe. Baby oil is mineral oil – petrochemical – and shouldn’t be used!
#mustknow Locally made is important, as our strict standards for textiles (and footwear) aren’t applied to imported goods. That is why several years ago, there were many imported mattresses with dangerously high levels of formaldehyde.
What is ideal is a locally made futon that contains natural fibres, eg cotton.
The downside of a futon is that you have to roll it up every day to let it dry, and beat it so it stays plush. The latter is excellent for releasing frustration, however, the reality of doing this every day is unrealistic for most people.
I know many people lean towards natural latex, and whilst this has some benefits, the fact it is so hot to sleep on, to my mind, makes it more prone to mould.
Innerspring mattresses can do odd things to EMF – and there are risks associated for that reason.
There are also lots of organic mattresses, many locally made. However, apart from the hefty price tag, I have heard from many people about how uncomfortable they become over time.
So what to do?
This is where the compromise comes in. Unless you commit to the long term care of a futon, you need to weigh up the pros and cons of each.
What did I do?
I have reduced EMF in my bedroom. I then opted for an innerspring mattress on an oiled (like Livos) futon base.
The mattress had a lot of natural fibres in it, and no topper. There is no memory foam on it at all.
Choosing this was a compromise – but it was the best option for us at the time.
This isn’t an ideal option for everyone.
You have to make an informed choice, and part of it will be considering the EMF. (This is something I check periodically, as things do change.)
Beds and Bedding: Bedding
Bedding includes pillows, doonas/duvets, blankets, sheets, and so on.
Certified organic is a great option – and locally made not only ensures the product conforms to our standards, but also reduces the footprint and “bedding miles” travelled.
Natural fibres are recommended for bedding, and if you have an allergy to house dust mites, silk can be a great option.
#Pillows should be replaced every 2-3 years – more often if you have house dust mite allergies.
There are silk doonas on the market that are great for repelling house dust mites, but also they are meant to be fabulous for the different seasons. (I am yet to try one, but they sound dreamy – excuse the pun.)
While on the topic of replacing things – mattresses should be replaced every 10 years.
If you do have house dust mite allergies, there are fabulous covers you can get for your mattress, pillows and other bedding. Regular maintenance is also important.
With many thoughts to ponder, I will leave it there for now.
o0o
These posts may be of interest:
If you want to know why house dust mites love mattresses, check out this post.
Many people do these days, and this can have a bigger impact that just feeling sleepy all day, or perhaps being on the caffeine-cycle. Ironically, according to apps on our devices, there is an “insomnia epidemic.”
When you are tired, you don’t function so well – your mood is off, your tolerance levels are down, you are easily agitated or stressed. As well, over time, this can deplete you and your immunity is also affected.
Why is Sleep so Important?
Sleep is incredibly important as it is the time that we heal and recover from our day – in preparation for the next day. Sleep is when we detoxify, when we create melatonin (a hormone which has an antioxidant effect) and when we rest.
It is one of the most important physiological functions we do, in my opinion.
What Affects Sleep?
There are many factors that can impact sleep. Some of these are:
Stress
Eating too late
Caffeine
Conversation
Poor sleep hygiene
Environmental stressors
Did You Know…?
Did you know that if you use your device for two hours in the evening that it affects the quality of your sleep; melatonin production; your mood, attention and accuracy the following day?
Research links this to the short-wave light emitted from the LED lights inside our devices (Green, et al, 2017). I wonder if there is more to it, and the use of these devices on wi-fi or 3G/4G/5G is also playing a role.
What Can I Do to Improve My Sleep?
I am going to focus purely on environmental stressors here…
1) Promote melatonin production – ensure your bedroom is dark. If this isn’t possible, it would be worth using an eye shade.
2) Reduce the radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME) – turn off your mobile phone and wi-fi router
3) Reduceindoor air contaminants – remove scented reeds and candles from your bedroom
4) Minimise exposure to allergens – use a silk pillowcase to reduce issues with house dust mites (HDM)
5) Reduce your exposure to biotoxins – address any mould in your home
Green, A, Cohen-Zion, M, Haim, A & Dagan, Y (2017) Evening Light Exposure to Computer Screens Disrupts Human Sleep, Biological Rhythms and Attention Abilities Chronobiology International (Online) Available athttps://doi.org/10.1080/07420528.2017.1324878 (May 2017)
House dust mites are tiny, opaque, feast on skin cells and love to live in mattresses, with their population being three times higher in a mattress as compared to a carpet. They are so small that around 50 HDM can fit onto the head of a pin.
HDM can trigger symptoms for people – interestingly, it is actually the protein in their faeces, not the mite themselves that cause problems.
According to Better Health Channel, HDM can trigger wheezing, coughing, breathlessness, a tight feeling in the chest, runny nose, itchy nose, itchy eyes, itchy skin, skin rashes.
Health
Even in people who aren’t allergic to HDM faeces, their existing asthma may be exacerbated and they can experience chronic bronchial hyper-reactivity.
For those affected, this can be a year-long problem (that is, it isn’t seasonal), symptoms are worse at night or upon waking, symptoms may be relieved when humidity is lower.
What They Need to Thrive
HDM are unable to drink – so they rely on a humid or moist environment to keep them hydrated. They need the relative humidity to be over 40%.
They need a warm environment and thrive when temperatures remain at or above 24oC.
Food in the form of animal and human skin cells, pollens, microbes.
They love mattresses for all of these reasons, they are warm, moist and full of skin cells (food).
10 tips for managing house dust mites (HDM):
Keep your home clean – use damp microfibre cloths and water to collect dust, not just move it from surface to surface
Pull back the covers on your bed each day and allow it to air and dry out
Vacuum your mattress regularly to reduce the HDM population
Mop your home using a microfibre mop to collect dust
Consider silk bedding – HDM don’t like anything excreted by other insects
Consider HDM-resistant bedding – fabric that is tightly woven, and thus the HDM can’t fit through them
Wash bedding (sheets and pillow cases) as well as night clothes weekly
Replace mattresses every 10 years
Maintain relative humidity to between 40-60% – and a dehumidifier can be key in this process
Use vacuum-storage bags to store clothes (ones that are vacuumed to keep compress them
With the enormous range of vacuum cleaners on the market, how do you choose what is best for your needs?
Is the price the best way to determine? What else should you consider?
Is it enough to get one that sucks – or will it suck?
How do you know?
In this video, I explain what to look for when you are considering vacuum cleaners.
What to Consider When Looking for a New Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuum cleaners are an important part of our cleaning practices, and it is important to get a good one.
That said, there are vast differences between the models on the markets, as well as staggeringly different price ranges.
What To Look For
1. TURBO HEAD
A turbo head means that the brush is powered electrically and can “thump” the carpet to loosen dirt that has lodged further down in the pile. A powered head is one that is “powered” by the air passing by as it sucks – this is a less powerful option, but better than neither.
2. HEPA FILTER
Ensure that the vacuum cleaner has a genuine HEPA filter in it. A HEPA filter is designed to capture the dust that would ordinarily come out of the vacuum cleaner – it prevents that act of vacuuming from being just an exercise in dust recirculation. Originally it was just for people with allergies, nowadays it is a common feature.
3. BAGGED OR BAGLESS
This will depend on whether the person who would empty it has dust mite allergies or not. If they do, a disposable bag is less risky. If not, environmentally, a bagless is better as it creates less waste, and it is less ongoing expenses without bags.
4. BARREL OR UPRIGHT
This is about choice – what do you prefer to use? What sort of storage space do you have?
Whichever one you choose, make sure it will suit your purposes and not be so heavy that it is difficult to manage.
5. CARPET AND/OR HAND FLOORS
Make sure that the vacuum cleaner you choose matches the floor coverings you have. Some on the lower end of the scale are only suitable for carpets, whilst others may only suit hard floors. If you only have hard floors, check reviews (such as Choice magazine or online forums) in terms of how they behave. In the past, there have been issues with many vacuum cleaners actually scratching or damaging floorboards.
6. TELESCOPIC WANDS AND TOOLS
Accessories and features such as these can be excellent. If the price excludes you from these optional extras, a damp microfibre cloth is a great cleaning option.
Cleaning Tips
Research was done by Dr Peter Dingle who found that a quick vacuum over your floors was not enough to get a good clean happening.
It is important to spend good minute on every 1m square of carpet. By doing this just once every six weeks, you will be cleaning your carpets far better than if you did a quick vacuum over the house every week.
That is a lot of time in one small area, and if your house is fully carpeted, then you will be spending a LOT of time vacuuming.
What I recommend:
Create a list which sequences the carpeted rooms in your house
Each week, vacuum one room “in detail” – and lightly vacuum (as you used to) the other rooms
Rotate the focus room each week
In this way, all of your carpets get a thorough vacuum, and you don't spend every waking moment vacuuming 😉
