Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Since his landslide election victory in December, Boris Johnson and his returning party have doubled down on their commitments of inward investment to boost industry, infrastructure and transport, repaying their newly found voters in the North. Prior to the election, housing minister Esther McVey announced the governments ambition to create a Construction Corridor in the North of England to speed up the delivery of zero-carbon homes and build a 40bn-a-year industry that would create 80,000 new jobs.

The governments initiative kicked off by investing 30m into our factory. The money will boost our factorys production capacity to deliver 2,000 high-quality, sustainable homes a year increasing to 5,000 within the next five years.

As well as demonstrating Homes Englands ongoing commitment to modern methods, the deal will be significant in the industrys efforts to tackle the UKs housing crisis.

With housing affordability at an all-time low and over one million families currently sitting on council waiting lists, there has never been a more important time for an innovative solution to housebuilding. As part of the Conservatives election campaign, the party pledged to deliver one million homes over the next five years.

However, although things are looking up for housing delivery, with the latest government figures revealing that the number of new homes created in England hit its highest level in 30 years between 2018 and 2019, the industry is still 60,000 shy of the official 300,000 homes a year target.

Public sector investment will be crucial in ensuring housing supply keeps pace with demand. Just like the automotive or aerospace industries, offsite manufacturing demands high, upfront investment to acquire the specialist technology needed to manufacture at scale. This is in contrast to traditional construction, where housebuilders are often able to release funding at different stages of the build cycle.

Public sector investment also has the potential to speed up the delivery of energy-efficient housing. High energy prices have placed a worrying proportion of the British population in fuel poverty, with the most recent government figures estimating that there were 2.53m fuel-poor households in England in 2017, roughly 11% of the total number of households.

Without the kind of inward investment we received from Homes England, Britain will not be able to achieve the capacity needed to tackle the housing crisis.

Investing heavily upfront in capital intensive manufacturing capability will not only improve the UKs capabilities to deliver much-needed housing but also will help address growing skills shortages in construction. This is important because, without a workforce, homes wont get built.

Following the 2008 recession, the construction industry, worth over 90bn annually to the UK economy, shed 140,000 jobs. Now there is a new challenge on the horizon.

The industry is faced with a rapidly ageing workforce with the rate of retirement set to increase. Almost a quarter (22%) of the workforce are over 50, with 15% in their 60s. To make things worse, the industry is also losing out to competing sectors where work is seen as more stable and pay is more competitive.

Were working to mitigate risks posed by these shortages. Thanks to Homes Englands funding, weve been able to heavily invest in the ilke Academy: our onsite training facility where were training up the next generation of housebuilders to manufacture homes in a factory in a bid to ease the construction skills crisis.

Welcoming people from all walks of life, including military veterans, ex-offenders, school leavers and women all groups currently under-represented in the construction and manufacturing industries. The ilke Academy is allowing us to teach new recruits and existing staff a range of vital new skills including engineering, manufacturing and design.

Promoting skills such as these will be vital in breaking down outdated misconceptions of the industry by demonstrating that housebuilding can also be the kind of tech-savvy business the younger generation is increasingly drawn towards.

By manufacturing offsite, were able to engineer our homes to ensure they are airtight. Compared to a new build home built conventionally, homes manufactured offsite are 20% more energy-efficient, increasing to 50% when compared to the average UK home.

With our homes costing as little as 1 a day to run, British households could make huge long-term savings on their heating bills, saving on average over 700 a year.

As we look ahead to the new decade, its quite evident that offsite manufacturing will have an enormous part to play in delivering the high-quality, sustainable homes that British families are yearning for and the future is looking bright.

The latest figures from the ONS revealed that a housebuilding boom towards the end of 2019 helped the UK construction industry grow at its fastest pace in a year. But, if we are to reverse the fortunes of housebuilding, which has long been plagued with issues surrounding quality and the industrys inability to deliver, modern methods must sit at the heart of the solution.

Dave Sheridan

Executive chairman

ilke Homes

Tel: +44 (0)1904 924 100

ilketeam@ilkehomes.co.uk

http://www.ilkehomes.co.uk

Twitter:ilkehomes

LinkedIn: ilkehomes

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Public sector investment key to redefining the housebuilding industry - Planning, BIM & Construction Today

Drywall screw guns have made home renovations easier than before. This efficient and useful tool is a favorite for professional crafters and handymen. The best drywall screw gun has a similar design to power drills but was made for effectively driving screws into drywall.

The essential parts of a drywall screw gun include:

A prominent part of any handheld tool is the handle. It is shaped like a gun and thick enough for a hand to hold it for periods with little discomfort. The back section is covered with a rubber-like material to reduce the risk of slipping, which prevents accidents.

The trigger or clutch releases the screws or powers the bit to drive the screws into the wall. The tighter you squeeze, the faster it spins.

Screw guns drive screws into the drywall and can also take them out. The forward/reverse feature allows you to do just that.

The optional belt clip allows the screw gun user to fasten the tool to their belt for easy access or to rest.

This depth adjustment feature is what makes screw wall guns superior to manual screwdrivers. It gauges the depth to prevent the screws from driving in too deep and form the tearing the wallpaper.

A drill bit that has a Phillips head that matches the shape of the screw heads. It is removable and allows you to change the drill bit as needed.

Drill bit housing secures the drill bit firmly in place.

Some models are battery-powered; they are wireless and portable, always ready to use. While others need an electrical outlet to work, which can be cumbersome to use, each part of a drywall screw gun works together for consistent and accurate work. With the correct preset depth options, users need minimal effort to screw their installations in place.

Nails versus Screws

Some craftsmen use nails to secure their drywall to the wall-frame, but screws are the better option since they push the drywall against the flush against the framing. Screws last longer than nails with 350% longer hold than nails.

When compared to nails, screws are better able to fasten drywall against metal framing. Modern screw guns are easy to use and create little noise when powered. It is still advised that persons wear protective eyeglasses and ear guards when using power tools, to preserve their eyesight and hearing.

Here are 5 benefits of drywall screw gun:

1.It allows for easier and quicker installation of the interior drywall. The gun does all the driving for you and moves faster when compared to handheld screwdrivers. It maximizes time and effort, making it a favorite among professionals and DIYers alike.

2.The screw gun design removes the need to twist your wrist to secure or remove screws in the wall. The mechanical design is powered by electricity or a battery to move the rotating drill head and rotating head that does the driving for you. This lessens the chances of wrist damage or arm fatigue from the repetitive action of driving the screws into or out of the wall.

3.Easily adjusts the depth each screw needs to drive through drywall for accurate and consistent results. Professionals agree that the best depth leaves a slight dimple in the wall for a smooth and natural finish.

4.Automatic screw guns can store the screws needed for each installation. This feature removes the need to reattach screws as users move along the length or width of the drywall installation.

5.The drywall screw gun is durable and long-lasting. This tool is an investment in your collection that only requires minimal repairs and replacements.

Also, you may need to buy a router table if you are looking to complete other woodworking tasks as a contractor.

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5 Benefits of a Drywall Screw Gun - The African Exponent

Pressed for space, consider the new WORX wall mount tool organizers for the garage or home shop. These handy organizers help keep frequently used tools and accessories together in the same location, eliminating time-consuming, search-and-find missions.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (PRWEB) January 21, 2020

Pressed for space, consider the new WORX wall mount tool organizers for the garage or home shop. These handy organizers help keep frequently used tools and accessories together in the same location, eliminating time-consuming, search-and-find missions.

The WORX Wall Mount Tool Holder, WA0138, includes two wall hooks and measures 6.7 in.W x 2.2 in.H x 3.5 in.D and accommodates WORX string trimmers, blowers/vacs, chainsaws, JawSaw, hedge trimmers, and more.

The Wall Mount Tool Holder is constructed of composite nylon for strength and durability. Four wood screws are included for installation. When mounted to studs, the tool holder's weight capacity is 33 lbs. When installed into drywall with anchors, it supports loads up to 17 lbs.

Take it a step further with the WORX 18 in. Wall Mount Tool Holder, WA0139. This expanded organizer includes two WA0138 tool holders and incorporates an 18 in.W x 2.5 in.H aluminum track to save space and create a versatile wall system. Secure the track to the wall with the four included wood screws and slide the wall mount tool holders into place. It is ideally suited to store up to three hand-held lawn and garden power tools, such as a string trimmer, blower, chainsaw or hedge trimmer and other tools.

Homeowners can mount multiple tool holders to store most of their powered lawn and garden tools. Due to the weight factor, the 18 in. Wall Mount Tool Holder should be installed into studs.

It's recommended to clean all cutting tools prior to storage. Also, when cordless power tools are stored in the garage or shed, it's a good practice to remove the batteries and store them indoors. Hot and cold temperature extremes can impact battery performance.

The WORX Wall Mount Tool Holder, (WA0138, $9.99) and the W ORX 18" Wall Mount Tool Holder (WA0139, $29.99) are available at worx.com.

Reach out to WORX social media links, including Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worxus?ref=hl; Twitter: https://twitter.com/WORXTools; Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/worxtools and Instagram: @WORXTools

For the original version on PRWeb visit: https://www.prweb.com/releases/get_organized_with_wall_mount_tool_organizers_from_worx/prweb16846927.htm

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Get Organized With Wall Mount Tool Organizers From WORX - Benzinga

Boys high school basketball game between Wilton High School and Greenwich High School at Greenwich, Conn., Friday, Feb. 9, 2018.

Boys high school basketball game between Wilton High School and Greenwich High School at Greenwich, Conn., Friday, Feb. 9, 2018.

Photo: Bob Luckey Jr. / Hearst Connecticut Media

Boys high school basketball game between Wilton High School and Greenwich High School at Greenwich, Conn., Friday, Feb. 9, 2018.

Boys high school basketball game between Wilton High School and Greenwich High School at Greenwich, Conn., Friday, Feb. 9, 2018.

Greenwich High Performing Arts Center pipe part breaks, flooding gym

GREENWICH An expansion joint burst in the hallway of the Greenwich High School Performing Arts Center this week, affecting the main gym next door.

The facilities team took up part of the gym floor, removed drywall and ceiling tiles in and around the PAC and gym area, and continues to focus on any necessary clean up, district spokesperson Sasha Houlihan said Tuesday.

This is the third time an expansion joint has broken in the auditorium building. One broke a year ago, flooding the $47 million building and shuttering it for nearly two months. That also affected the gym and forced the basketball teams to play on the road. A joint also broke in April of 2016.

The part holds together two pipes and muffles vibration on the hot water line. The district estimates there are 17 of these parts throughout the auditorium building. When the issue first arose, officials said maintenance on these parts is impossible because they are inaccessible, installed behind walls and the ceiling.

We know there are several expansion joints, so for this very reason it is in the budget to get them replaced, Houlihan said.

The operating budget for 2020-21, which the Board of Estimate and Taxation will hold a public hearing for this Thursday at Town Hall at 7 p.m., includes $250,000 to replace the flexible connectors at the Performing Arts Center.

Contractors will be onsite to evaluate and give school administrators an estimate for restoration and a project timeline, Houlihan said.

While this will not impact the GHS exam schedule, we will have to reschedule or postpone all competitive athletic events that were to be held in Gym A and B, the main gym, she said. This will mainly impact the basketball teams.

Athletic Director Gus Lindine said Tuesday nights home basketball game was to be moved.

We are going to Brien McMahon for a basketball game tonight (that was originally scheduled to be at GHS) and we are looking to find alternative sites and times for practices and games, he said.

The temperature of the PAC is controlled by a fan that blows hot or cold air, from cold water and hot water pipes. The expansion joints, also known as flex connectors, keep vibrations from the fan from being transferred to the structure of the building, which would disrupt the acoustics of the hall.

The gym floor was just recently re-lettered, over the weekend of Jan. 11 and 12. That was to correct an error that occurred when the floor was resurfaced over winter break, and the name Greenwich at one end was spelled with an extra n, as Greennwich.

jo.kroeker@hearstmediact.com

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Greenwich High Performing Arts Center pipe part breaks, flooding gym - The Advocate

Some 60 students have been involved in constructing the house so far, but others are involved as well, Martinson said, including interior design and architecture classes. Thats a total of some 75 to 100 students involved in the homes completion, he estimated.

Its nice to see every kid matters here, Martinson said.

Instructor Kevin Ortiz said the three-bedroom, one-bathroom house measures 26 feet by 40 feet. It was built in two halves at the high school. Beginning Tuesday, the pieces will be tied together and finishing work can begin. Drywall and other work had to wait until the house could be protected from the weather, he said.

All seven seniors working on the house plan to go into the construction business, Ortiz said. A partnership with the carpenters union will allow interested students to go straight into an apprenticeship and skip the waiting period, he said.

Student Claire Jones, of Chesterton, has helped build the home.

Ive learned its very important to be a team working here, she said.

Jones plans to go into project management and architecture. Learning the nuts and bolts of construction will help her in the future, she said.

Travis Konarski, of Chesterton, said he likes working with his hands. This year, the students took the partially finished home from last year and straightened the walls and did other work, he said. Konarski plans to pursue a degree in construction management.

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House built by students hits the road, headed for Michigan City - nwitimes.com

KEARNEY One of Kearneys theaters closed earlier this month.

General Manager Bobby Wilson said he closed the Hilltop 4 movie theater at the mall at the first of the year so he could focus more on his other theater Kearney Cinema 8 at 300 S. Third Ave.

Kearney Cinema 8 was better attended than the Hilltop 4 Theater and its four screens, Wilson said.

Additionally, Wilson has invested his time and money into repairing Kearney Cinema 8 after it sustained damage on July 9 when south Kearney was inundated with floodwaters.

Were still focusing on the flood damage (and) getting some things done there. But we plan on adding some new amenities there, said Wilson, who will announce the plans for the amenities after he finishes repairs to the south Kearney theater and its eight screens.

Kearney Cinema 8 was closed for about two months while he replaced drywall and insulation, he said. Now he is replacing carpet on the walls, finishing trim work and updating the party room.

Its mainly cosmetic now, he said.

Wilson said he leased the Hilltop 4 space, which is located on the northeast corner of Hilltop Mall, from mall owner Dial Companies. A representative from Dial said it already has shown the Hilltop 4 space to other theater operators and retail concepts.

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Hilltop 4 movie theater closes - Kearney Hub

The New Boston Dynamics' Spot 1.1 Revolutionizes the Construction Industry

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Design:ED Podcast is an inside look into the field of architecture told from the perspective of individuals that are leading the industry. This motivational series grants unique insight into the making of a successful design career, from humble beginnings to worldwide recognition. Every week, featured guests share their personal highs and lows on their journey to success, that is sure to inspire audiences at all levels of the industry. Listening to their stories will provide a rare blueprint for anyone seeking to advance their career, and elevate their work to the next level.

Michael Perry of the Robotics Company Boston Dynamics joins the podcast to discuss the release of Spot 1.1, and how their company is using robotics to revolutionize the construction industry.

Boston Dynamics has accomplished so many amazing things for the field of robotics. For the people that might not be familiar, or have not seen the videos on YouTube, what exactly does Boston Dynamics do? (2:10)

Boston Dynamics just released Spot 1.1, What advances can consumers expect to see with the new Spot release? (4:45)

How specifically do you see the Spot technology being used in the architecture and construction industry? (7:40)

We have talked a lot on the podcast about the future of architects and technology. Is Spot starting to create issues for the future of the modern-day construction worker? (12:10)

I love showing people the YouTube videos of robots like Spot or Atlas and people are really excited when they first see it, but then they immediately think it is a little creepy. What do you say to those people that think this technology is going too far? (24:10)

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The New Boston Dynamics' Spot 1.1 Revolutionizes the Construction Industry - ArchDaily

Lucy Mardres is the owner of Inspire Esthetics Salon in downtown Kamloops. She's been the victim of two recent thefts at her salon costing her almost $2,000 in loss of product and money.

(KAREN EDWARDS / iNFOnews.ca)

January 15, 2020 - 6:00 PM

For nearly five years in downtown Kamloops, salon owner Lucy Mardres never had any issues involving break-ins, but in the last three weeks, her business was broken into twice and shes out nearly $2,000 from the thefts mostly skin cream.

Ive always been in this location and have never had any issues until now, Mardres says.

Inspire Esthetics Studio located right on Lansdowne Street was first broken into in late December, according to Mardres. The salon owner says she came in one morning to find both locks on her doors had been damaged.

Thieves cut a hole through the drywall at Inspire Esthetics Salon and unlocked the door to gain access into the salon.

(KAREN EDWARDS / iNFOnews.ca)

There was money missing and a lot of my skin care was stolen, she says, adding the skincare that was stolen were products that are exclusive to her salon.

The prices on the products range from $50 to $150, she says.

In the second and most recent break in, Mardres walked into her salon last Friday morning to find a hole that had been cut through the drywall to unlock the door.

Mardres noticed they stole more of the same skincare products and also some random items including two pairs of her runners, donations for the Kamloops food bank, scissors and a jug of water.

We are pretty sure they are transient people that are doing the break ins, she says. There were bicycle tracks to clean up in the foyer but unfortunately no fingerprints.

Both times, Mardres reported the incidents to police and has also put out a call to social media if anyone sees the skincare products, HydroPeptide, being sold locally online through Kijiji or Marketplace to let her know or let the Kamloops RCMP know.

For now, Mardres will be installing security cameras in the upcoming days. Anyone with information on this case can call the Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 and cite file number 20-1160.

The hole made by thieves from the outside of the salon.

(KAREN EDWARDS / iNFOnews.ca)

To contact a reporter for this story, email Karen Edwardsor call (250) 819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroomand be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.

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Thieves cut through drywall to steal high-end skin cream from Kamloops beauty salon - iNFOnews

We often think of air pollution as car exhaust, smoke-spewing factories, and smog, but the air your family breathes while sleeping, eating, and vegging in front of the TV is anything but clean. Indoor air is teeming with toxic chemicals and allergens that can singe the eyes, trigger asthma attacks, and bring on headaches. Over time, airborne toxins can disrupt hormones, damage vital organs, and possibly even lead to cancer.

But pollution isnt the only problem lurking in the air. Homes that are too dry are a potential health hazard too. Along with causing cracked skin and nosebleeds and increasing the risk of dehydration, overly dry air keeps influenza aloft and makes us more likely to get infected. But on the flipside, too-humid air encourages mold growth and attracts dust mites, creating a whole new set of health problems.

Whether polluted, too dry, or too humid, imperfect indoor air is likely making your family sick. So what can you do about it? Well, contrary to popular demand, the answer to the pollution problem is not to fill your home with potted plants. They do purify the air very slightly, but youd have to turn every room into a jungle to have any meaningful effect. Here are some more real, actionable solutions to keep your family safe from illness both now and in the future.

Believe or not, indoor air is actually more polluted than outdoor air, says Josh Jacobs, director of environmental codes and standards at independent safety certifier UL. Because we seal up buildings and control ventilation rates, anything we add inside drywall, flooring, furniture, paint, electronics can give off VOCs, which do not dissipate in an indoor environment.

Short for volatile organic compounds, VOCs include some 13,000 toxic chemicals, such as formaldehyde, aldehyde, benzene, and toluene, that off-gas from manmade household products and building materials. In fact, Jacobs says that only items made entirely of steel, glass, concrete, or stone do not give off VOCs that we then breathe in. Along with irritating the eyes, nose, and throat, these hazardous chemicals can worsen asthma symptoms and cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, skin rashes, and fatigue. Prolonged exposure can harm the kidneys, liver, or central nervous system and potentially cause cancer.

Although plenty of VOCs are emitted outdoors, those chemicals can escape, whereas the VOCs given off inside the home get trapped, turning problematic. Think about it like red dye, Jacobs says. If you put one drop in the ocean, it will dissipate quickly and nothing will really happens. But if you put one drop in a fishbowl, it will turn the water pink or even bright red.

Besides VOC contamination, indoor air can also be sullied by allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, mold, or even pollen tracked in from outside. Along with hovering in the air, these pollutants accumulate in house dust. Whats more, everyday activities like cooking on a gas stove and scouring the kitchen floor conjure up gasses that can cause health problems when inhaled.

How to Fit It

Youll never totally eradicate VOC emissions, but you can do a lot to lessen your familys exposure, starting with the types of products you bring into your home. When shopping for paint, furniture, countertops, drywall, mattresses, bedding, window treatments, and many more home-improvement needs, look for ULs GreenGuard Gold certification. Any product bearing this seal will have passed rigorous third-party testing to prove it has low VOC emissions.

Similarly, for carpeting, flooring, and the adhesives and sealants they require, pick products that carry the Carpet and Rug Institutes Green Label Plus seal, which have also passed ULs stringent VOC emissions tests. Another certification to know is ECOLOGO, also administered by UL, which signals low VOCs as well as a minimal environmental footprint. Look for this seal on cleaning products especially, but also paper products, electronics, office equipment, and more. (For a full list of certified GreenGuard, Green Label Plus, or ECOLOGO products, go to UL Spot.)

To lessen the VOC threat from household items you already own, open windows as much as possible to circulate outdoor air through your home. If you have a forced-air heating and cooling system, use filters designed to remove small particles (Check Consumer Reports Air Filter Buying Guide for best options) and change it out regularly; this should help minimize airborne allergens as well. Also consider a standalone air purifier, which wont do much for VOCs but can capture allergens, dust, and other particles. These require regular filter swap-outs too.

Additionally, vacuum, sweep, and dust your entire home frequently to mop up all the allergens and other nasty stuff thats settled onto floors, furniture, and electronics. And if you have a gas stovetop with an exhaust hood, use it whenever you cook and leave it on for a few minutes after youre done. Research shows that hoods drastically limit the pollutants pushed into the air.

If you live in the northern U.S., at high elevation, or anywhere that gets cold enough to necessitate turning on the heat for part of the year, dry indoor air is practically a given. The Environmental Protection Agency advises keeping humidity levels between 30 percent and 50 percent, but rarely do homes with the heat running constantly even scratch 30.

Some of what happens when the air is too arid is obvious and annoying: scaly skin, staticky hair, itchy scalp. Nosebleeds are common as well, because when the tiny blood vessels in our nasal passageways dry out, they become brittle and burst easily. But dry air introduces more health hazards than many people realize. First of all, its easier to get dehydrated because the body loses fluids while we breathe. And along with causing headaches, dizziness, or nausea, dehydration can make us more prone to respiratory ailments.

Our immune system relies on a certain amount of moisture to create thick, gooey mucus that traps viruses and bacteria in the nose and mouth before they can infect us, says Daniel Allan, M.D., a family medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic. Those secretions carry antibodies so they work almost like a filter. But if youre not well hydrated, your nose and mouth will dry out, leaving you more vulnerable to illness.

Making matters worse, some viruses especially influenza thrive in dry air. Research shows that flu epidemics in the U.S. almost always come a few weeks after the relative humidity drops. This is likely because dry air helps the virus to travel better and stay activated longer, says Jennifer Reiman, Ph.D., who researched humiditys effects on influenza while at the Mayo Clinic.

As soon as someone sneezes or coughs, the [influenza-containing] droplets they expel start shrinking, she says. Under low humidity, they shrink more rapidly, and when they are smaller, it takes longer for them to fall out of circulation and onto the floor. They hang around in the air longer and are more easily picked up by others. Also, those smaller particles can reach deeper into the airways and get into the lungs where they can infect, Reiman adds, whereas bigger particles dont make it as far into the body.

How to Fit It

To keep your home from drying out, make sure its well insulated. The more air leaks you have in your doors, windows, crawl spaces, and weather stripping, the more dry, cold outdoor air comes into the home, Allan says. Then the furnace has to work harder, making it harder to control humidity in the house. Insulating well is good for your monthly energy bill but also could help reduce your chances of getting sick.

If you suspect the humidity in your home is too lowand again, even if your house is sealed well, if the heat has been on for a while, it probably is first buy a hygrometer to test it. These instruments are sold at most hardware stores or on Amazon, often for under $20. If the humidity level reads below 30 percent, then consider buying a humidifier, which shoots a fine mist of water into the air to bump up the moisture level. There are console units, which are generally bigger, stay parked in one spot, and can treat the air of a large space, as well as tabletop humidifiers, which are smaller and easier to move from room to room. Depending on the size and layout of your house, you might need more than one unit.

When it comes to flu protection, humidifiers have been proven to help. Reiman ran a fascinating study a few winters ago in which her team installed humidifiers in two preschool classrooms to raise the humidity level to between 42 percent and 45 percent. They left two other classrooms untreated. Then, along with tracking the number of kids who reported flu symptoms that year, the researchers collected air samples from each classroom and swabbed wooden blocks, markers, playdough utensils, and other surfaces the tots touched.

Analyzing all the samples in their lab, Reimans team found significantly more influenza present in the classrooms without the humidifiers. And of the virus samples found, those from the dryer rooms were more virulent. This synced up to the data from the kids, as 2.3 more cases of influenza-like illness were reported from the non-humidified classrooms.

While they can make your home feel more comfortable and decrease virus risk, be careful with humidifiers. They require refilling daily and a deep cleaning at least once a week to ensure they keep working efficiently and, more importantly, to prevent mold from forming and bacteria from building up in the stagnant water you dont want that junk misting into the air.

With humidity, too much of a good thing is very, very bad. Although indoor air above 50 percent humidity is more common in the Southeastern U.S., it can happen anywhere that gets hot and humid in the summertime or whenever a homes air conditioning system isnt working properly. Basements, bathrooms, and very small spaces can see humidity levels creep.

Homes that are too humid risk sprouting mold, which produces allergens that can cause sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, skin rashes, and feverlike symptoms. Mold is particularly pesky for people with asthma, upping the risk of attacks. Another common allergen, dust mites, thrive in humidity as well. So do many species of bacteria that can make us sick. Oh, and heres one more problem: Research shows humidity higher than 60 percent can increase concentrations of VOCs.

How to Fit It

If your home is harboring unhealthy humidity levels, youll likely be able to feel it and notice condensation on windows and mirrors. But it never hurts to bust out the hygrometer to check. To keep levels under control, get your air conditioning looked at by a professional to ensure that you have the most efficient system for your home and that its working as it should.

Also, make sure to use the exhaust fans over your stove and in your bathrooms to draw out excess moisture. Run fans in your home to keep air circulating and humidity low. Even taking shorter showers and covering steaming pots on the stove will help stop humidity from rising.

If humidity is an ongoing problem, consider investing in a dehumidifier, which sucks moisture from the air, collecting the water in a removable reservoir. Dehumidifiers come in multiple capacities based on how many pints of water they can draw from the air within 24 hours. Your home or rooms size and current humidity level can inform how strong of a horse you need. (Consumer Reports offers a comprehensive buying guide and product reviews.) Just like with a humidifier, though, you have to stay on top of cleaning dehumidifiers or you could have a pool of bacteria before long.

The post The Air in Your Home Is Making Your Family Sick. Heres What to Do About It. appeared first on Fatherly.

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Your Home Is Making Your Family Sick. It's Time to Fix It. - Yahoo Lifestyle

Ted Bruesch, recently retired Liphatech technical support manager, shared Rodent Control Lessons of a Lifetime in his educational session. Pictured (left to right) are Dr. Zach DeVries, assistant professor of urban entomology, University of Kentucky; Dr. Michael Potter, extension professor, University of Kentucky; Dr. Rick Cooper, senior director of technical services, Terminix International; and Dr. Austin Frishman, owner and president, AMF Pest Management Consulting.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants the theme of the 49th Annual University of Kentucky Pest Control Short Course couldnt have been more fitting. Thats because the man responsible for leading one of the finest regional pest control conferences in North America, Dr. Michael Potter, is an industry giant himself.

After 29 years managing the short course, however, Potter recently announced his retirement. While a firm retirement date has yet to be determined, it will occur sometime this year, allowing Potter and his wife, Ellen, to relocate to Eugene, Ore., to be closer to their adult children.

Ill retain emeritus professor status in our department (a non-salaried position), but will not maintain a physical presence in Lexington, nor day-to-day departmental responsibilities, he wrote in an e-mail following the conference.

We didnt take this decision lightly, Potter said. In fact, he has been working on a succession plan with the university for two years, culminating in the choice of Dr. Zach DeVries, a protege of Dr. Coby Schal at North Carolina State University, to take over Potters role leading the conference. Last February, DeVries accepted a tenure-track position as assistant professor of urban entomology at the university.

During the opening ceremonies of this years conference, Kentucky Pest Management Association (KPMA) President Keith Smith thanked Potter for his generous contributions to the industry, presenting the avid fly fisherman with a trip to Hubbards Yellowstone Lodge in Emigrant, Mont., as a token of appreciation for his body of work in support of the association. The five-day trip includes a guided tour of Yellowstone National Park and the Snake River.

Potter said joining the University of Kentucky was the best decision of my life and KPMA members have become his extended family. Whatever good we did, we did it together, he said. While Potter said hell miss overseeing the conference, the university is in really, really good hands thanks to the appointment of DeVries.

We feel we have (recruited) the top young urban entomologist in the U.S., bar none, Potter said. Zach works on all the important critters, so hes going to be a huge help to this state.

For his part, DeVries said hes excited about the prospect of building on Potters legacy and continuing to move the pest management industry forward. I really hope to follow in the footsteps (of Mike Potter) the best I can.

In other news, KPMA honored Gary Blankenship, owner of Guarantee Pest Control, Lexington, Ky., with its Lifetime Achievement Award. In recognizing the second-generation PMP, KPMA Director Chris Christensen said, When I think of Gary Blankenship, I think of selfless service to family and industry. Gary has always been a leader in our industry.

Since 1996, Blankenship has served as chairman of the associations pest control educational fund. In closing, Christensen said, Gary and his wife Lucy run a great business and are benevolent benefactors of a great group of employees.

SPEAKERS. To kick off the educational portion of the program, Potter said the topics and speakers for this years event were the strongest in his 29-year association with the conference. Its possible to see further by standing on the shoulders of giants, he said, and this years speakers truly are giants in the pest control industry.

The leadoff speakers for the three-day event were industry consultant Stoy Hedges, who hosted a Cockroach Control House of Learning, and industry veteran Ted Bruesch of Liphatech, who shared Lessons of a Lifetime in rodent control.

I started out in this business as a pest control technician (for Wil-Kil Pest Control), Bruesch told attendees, so he understands the challenges faced by service personnel on a daily basis.

Bruesch said rodents are formidable foes, but theyre not as smart as many PMPs think. I hear all the time Ive got a smart rat, but I dont consider rodents as being particularly smart, he said. Their brain is the size of a lima bean and our brain weighs three pounds, so humans have a distinct intellectual advantage. Rodents simply have evolved over time, adopting unique behavioral characteristics that have allowed them to survive. Three behaviors, in particular, have served them well, according to Bruesch, helping them to adapt and survive. They include:

Regardless of the challenges, I truly believe every rodent problem has a solution. You have to take the fight to the critter, Bruesch urged. You have to be aggressive.

In one of the more informative sessions of the three-day event, Mark Goodman, regional operations manager, Plunketts Pest Control, shared a number of interesting case studies in a session titled, Troubleshooting Tricky Pest Problems. Goodman recalled one situation where a technician was unable to control a maggot problem in a large egg production facility.

They called because they had maggots crawling in their production area, a high-stress situation, he said. Upon visiting the account, Goodman asked the usual questions, but nothing popped out as being particularly unusual until he got down on his hands and knees and began to check the silicone seals along a sterile hallway. Finally, we found one plate on a wall where there was some loose silicone, leading to a gap that went outside (the facility). Maggots were making their way up a drainpipe from some chicken dung outside and through the seal. Lesson learned? Sometimes you need to broaden your scope a little bit, Goodman said.

Other speakers on the star-studded program included Dr. Austin Frishman, owner, AMF Pest Management Consulting; Tom Myers, owner, All-Rite Pest Control; Rick Cooper, senior director of technical services, Terminix International; Marty Morgan, business development manager, Douglas Products; Mike Holcomb, consulting entomologist, Technical Directions; Pete Markham, president, A-Mark Pest & Bird Management; Ray Johnson, founder, Johnson Pest Control; Dr. Michael Potter, extension professor, University of Kentucky; Stephen Gates, vice president of technical services, Cooks Pest Control; Dan Collins, regional technical director, McCloud Services; Dr. Zach DeVries, assistant professor of urban entomology, University of Kentucky; and Gary Sigrist, CEO and president, Safeguard Risk Solutions.

Major sponsors of this years event included BASF and Oldham Chemicals. Additional sponsors included AP&G, Nisus, Bell Laboratories, Syngenta, Corteva Agriscience and Bayer.

The 2020 University of Kentucky 50th Annual Pest Control Short Course is scheduled for Nov. 10-12. Visit http://www.kyshortcourse.org for information.

The author is publisher of PCT magazine.

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Standing on the Shoulders of Giants - PCT - PCT Magazine