Creating a Healthy Relationship between Water and Your Home
by sara Kane
W
hile water is essential, it can also
overreact and develop an allergic reac-
diation or repair. Having a professional
be destructive. And winter is the
tion to mold. North Carolina is part
inspect your home regularly for water
season when areas of the home
of a world-wide asthma epidemic. A
intrusion and signs of mold is a smart
having problems with moisture become
recent survey of middle-school chil-
idea. Look for a company that offers
most apparent. Carolina clay does not
dren showed 27% either had been
a full-spectrum of resources and has
absorb water easily and can cause
diagnosed with asthma or had asthma
many years of experience in many ser-
poor water drainage. The home and the
symptoms. More than half of asthmat-
vices for your home, including expert
land around it must be configured so
ics have respiratory allergies, often to
water problem assessment, drainage
water flows gently away and does not
mold, which can trigger asthma attacks.
and erosion repair, grading and yard
remain standing or flow so rapidly as to
Also, people with weakened immune
drains; landscape design and chem-
create erosion. The inside of the home,
systems can develop serious mold
ical-free maintenance; tree care and
including the crawl space or basement,
infections of the respiratory system. Fi-
removal; general property maintenance
should remain dry.
nally, very large doses of certain molds
and repair from minor jobs to historic
We asked Chris Wendt of Or-
can result in poisoning by mycotoxins.
restoration; foundation repair and stone
ganayard about the warning signs of
The Department of Health website
and brick work.
potential water problems: “Look for
states, “. . . any mold growth in a build-
areas where water pools for more than
ing should be cleaned up . . .”
The professionals at Organayard
12 hours. Is there water or moisture in
In addition to mold, improper
have more that 30 years experience and
the crawl space or basement? Black or
drainage or erosion can cause founda-
a proven record in handling drainage
green fungus growing on brick, wood,
tion settling and cracking that can cre-
and mold problems as well as general
siding or even on the soil surface is a
ate openings allowing rodents, snakes,
maintenance and expert landscape
sign of continuing dampness. Does the
insects and other pests to access the
design and lawn care. Call today for a
yard show signs of erosion with ex-
home.
free inspection of your home. Phone
posed roots, grass not growing or soil
Prevention of problems is much
919-290-5334 or visit www.organayard.
washed away? Such problems only get
easier (and less expensive) than reme-
com. See ad on this page.
worse if not addressed.”
If water intrusion does occur and
the area remains moist for more than 48
hours, mold may begin to grow. Mold
is part of a healthy ecology in nature,
where it breaks down dead organic
matter so that it can return to the soil.
However, indoor mold damages the
home and releases harmful mold spores
into the indoor air. The EPA publication
“Mold Basics” states, “The key to mold
Let us show you the beautiful potential
control is moisture control. If mold is
a problem in your home, clean up the
of your home’s first impression -
mold promptly and fix the water prob-
lem. There are many types of mold,
your lawn
and none will grow without water or
· Lawn Makeovers
· Organic and Eco-Friendly Fertilizers
moisture.” · Tree Care and Removal
· Drainage and Erosion Repair
Why bother? The NC Department
· World Class Stone and Brick Work
· Landscape and Security Lighting
· Walkways, Patios and Retaining Walls
· Edible Landscaping
of Health publication “Mold and Hu- · Indoor and Outdoor Fireplaces
· Flower Beds and Vegetable Gardens
man Health” states, “We breathe in
· Chemical-Free Lawn Care
mold cells every day, both indoors and
Fully Insured
out. Usually these exposures do not
Free Consultation & Design Call today - our schedule fills quickly
present a health risk, but when expo-
Charlotte Office Now Serving the Triangle
3 0 2 0 - I P r o s p e r i t y C h u r c h R d
sure is great some individuals, particu-
5448 Apex Peakway
larly those with allergies and asthma,
Suite 133, Charlotte, NC 28269 Suite 180, Apex, NC 27502
704-253-2131 919-290-5334
can experience illness that could range
www.organayard.com
from mild to serious.”
Organayard: Protecting the ground you walk on, the
Many have immune systems that
air you breathe, the water you drink, and those you love.
natural awakenings February 2010 41
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