2012年5月31日 星期四

Simple Guidelines in Using a Moisture Meter for Plants


A moisture meter is a useful tool that helps you a lot in measuring humidity of the soil. Therefore, this is a very important tool to be provided in your home if you love gardening a lot. With the help of this certain tool, you can reduce the risk of overwatering or even underwatering your plants. Here are some best tips in using moisture meter to support your needs.

First, take your tool and check your indoor plants. You can simply hold the gauge end of your meter. The pointed end will be the probe that should be inserted into the soil. Insert it down about three-quarters into the pot. Your tool will measure the moisture level well.

Then, you can go on to the red zone. You have to notice that some pants needs dry soil instead of wet or moist one. Therefore, some kinds of plant such as cactus or snake plant should not be overwatered. The soil where those plants grow should have low moisture or in red zone.

Then, you should find several kinds of plants that should be in green area. Some plants such as begonia, azalea, philodendrons or ficus need soil that is moderately humid, or indicated in green zone by your moisture meter. Check the level. You should add more water if your tool shows red sign, but you have to stop it if the meter shows blue sign.

Now you can go on to some plants that needs more water, such as ferns. Usually, this kind of plant should be in the green-blue zone level.

After finish checking indoor plants, now you can go on to outdoor plants. You will find that your meter will be very useful here since you can use it to check the moisture level of shrub water and outdoor plants. Plants with drip irrigation will also suitable to be supported by your meter.

Those are what you should do in monitoring the soil moisture of your plant.




You will have several different options of soil moisture meter available in the market as your best option, such as Tramex moisture meter. Just find this certain product in any stores near your area.





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Moisture And Temperature Sensors And Their Domestic Use


Industry men and factory operators are nowadays quite acquainted with moisture sensors and temperature sensors. They know that these delicate and sophisticated instruments play a very important role in helping them ensure that the products being manufactured are under the right environment conditions and that, therefore, they will be able to comply with the high and strict industry standards.

These instruments are widely use in a diverse number of industries such as the human and pet food factories, computer processors, chemical and pharmaceutical labs, wooden and leather industry, beer breweries and so on.

For ordinary people just like you and me, reading about moisture analyzers and temperature sensors seems totally new and very difficult to understand. However, believe it or not, we are also quite familiar with them as many home appliances and domestic tools come with one of them.

Moisture analyzers or hygrometers help individuals ensure that the humidity in a certain environment is kept within certain accepted parameters. Temperature meters or thermometers are used to ensure that the environment is not exposed to excessive heat or cold.

Amongst the home appliances that come with a humidity analyzer we can mention the air conditioner. The hygrometer can sense when the device has absorbed enough humidity so that the temperature starts to decrease and turns the engine off, to turn it on again later on when the level of humidity has risen again.

Clothes dryers are also home appliances that come with a moisture and temperature analyzer. The hygrometer can be easily calibrated by the owner so that the fibers of the clothes are not exposed to unnecessary dryness. Many women like to leave their clothes slightly damp as it is then easier for them to iron them or because they prefer to have them dried hanging from a peg. Temperature sensors, in the same way, prevent the fibers of the clothes from being exposed to excessive heat which may cause them to shrink.

The moisture analyzer can also be found in many gardens connected to the irrigation system. It is generally adopted by gardeners in areas where either it rains quite a lot or there is a lack of natural water as the hygrometer allows them to water their plants more efficiently while preventing overwatering them. This instrument is placed in the soil and it detects when it reaches certain level of humidity that is lower than expected and so the irrigation system is triggered automatically.




Eduard Jim writing about Moisture Analyzers





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Desirable Features For Humidifiers


People use humidifiers to maintain the equilibrium in the environment around them in their residences or work place. This is made possible as the device maintains the humidity levels in the atmosphere around you.

Going for the first humidifier available in the market or just picking up something that looks pretty good may not serve your purpose. You need a real efficient humidifier that can work best at real times. Therefore it is better for you to have a look at the features that makes good humidifiers.

Qualities that make a good humidifier

Most desirable features of quality humidifier are -

o The presence of a humidity meter using which you will measure the humidity levels so that you can set your humidifier working levels accordingly.

o The device should not produce too much or too little humidity maintaining a fine balance that is vital for user friendly environment.

o The machine should be easy to handle. If it contains a large water tank and does not necessitate regular maintenance of routine natures, the machine would be excellent to use. It will not only be convenient but also time economic.

o Machines creating heavy noise are undesirable for you as well as your neighbors. Normally the warm mist humidifiers make less noise.

o Humidifiers need topping up of water at regular intervals. Therefore an indicator showing the low water level would be extremely useful for you and you will know exactly when to top up.

o The machine should have automatic shut off system when the tank becomes empty. It will also be energy efficient.

o Variable speed setting, if available in the machine helps you to set the machine for harder tasks conveniently.

o In some models you will find extra features like purifying air, sterilization process, and dehumidification facilities. These machines can give better results to you though not comparable to individual results produced by specialized machines.

Your purpose could make the difference

Very often it is specific purposes for which you may require the humidifier. For example you may require the machine to maintain the humidity levels in your room only. You will require room humidifier in such cases. If on the other hand you require maintenance of humidity levels for the entire house, you will require house humidifier.

You can also use to best result the advanced technologies like the ultrasonic humidifier, cool mist humidifier, warm mist humidifier or even the furnace humidifier. Each of these devices is manufactured with specific purpose and target group in view.

Portability and area based efficiency

There is also the question of portability when you wish to shift location of the humidifier from time to time. In such cases you may opt for the portable humidifier.

Similarly, for large areas the cool mist models are better suited as they are energy efficient and safer than their warm mist counterparts. On the other hand for smaller enclaves like bedrooms the warm mist humidifiers could be better suited.

You have to be careful about the burn hazards from hot water and energy consumption in their cases though the device may be good for maintaining right amount of humidity.




Amber Smith is a leading environmental scientist in the country constantly involved in high level research and experimentation on balancing humidity levels with artificial devices like the humidifiers. She is also the teaching professor on ecology in a leading university.





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2012年5月30日 星期三

Got Diabetes and Wondering How Your Blood Glucose Monitor Actually Works?


Are you one of the increasing number of people with diabetes who needs to monitor their blood sugar levels at home. If so, it is important to know how the tests work and what can effect the results giving inaccurate readings.

Diabetes Mellitus is a widespread disease that is caused by high blood glucose. However, it is not extremely difficult to cure and there have been cases of patients recovering from diabetes and continuing a normal life. There are many ways to control and monitor diabetes. For a long time, urine has been used as a way to check the amount of glucose in the body. However, it is no longer considered reliable. In its place, now blood is used. A machine that is now very commonly used to evaluate abnormal and normal blood glucose level is the Blood Glucose Monitor.

A blood glucose monitor or glucose meter is a small portable battery-powered electronic device that now comes in several models. The glucose meter is used to determine the deviations from the normal blood glucose level. The glucose test and the glucose reading are used to diagnose diabetes. These machines provide glucose readings from 0 to 600 mg/dl. Newer models now allow people to use blood from places other than the fingertip, which is the most common place from which it is extracted. Some models have large digital display and even spoken instructions for people with visual problems. Some models require smaller drops of blood than others. One must be careful while choosing a model, as it is an expenditure that has to be thought over. It is advisable to discuss with other users before buying one as all models have their pluses and minuses.

A blood glucose meter is an instrument that can be used even at home. This Blood glucose meter is used for taking a glucose test and it is a must have for those undergoing diabetes treatment. There is usually a special coated strip on which a drop of blood is placed. The blood is usually taken from the fingertip using a lancing device, which shoots a small, lancet into the skin. However, it is not necessary for it to be taken from the fingertip and sometimes blood is taken from other places like the forearm, thigh, calf or upper arm as the fingertip often gets calloused and sore. The blood is placed on the opposite side of the strip though this depends on the blood glucose meter. Then this strip is inserted into the blood glucose meter.

The blood reacts with chemicals on the strip and the blood glucose meter receives an electronic pulse. The machine then calculates the amount of glucose in the blood and displays glucose reading on the digital screen. A record of the readings will go a long way in helping the physician decide on the kind of diabetes treatment that needs to be given to the patient.

There is also another way of detecting the abnormal or normal blood glucose level in the body. Here, the drop of blood is placed on a special strip that changes color, depending on the amount of glucose. There is a color-coded index that comes along with it that will have listed the particular color the strip changes into when it reacts with the blood and judges the amount of glucose in it. There will be different colors for different amount of glucose. However glucose reading is not very accurate, as it does not give you the exact amount of glucose present.

A blood glucose monitor gives fairly accurate readings if used properly. The glucose meter has to be maintained. It may become old and dirty and if it is kept at high temperature or humidity, the machine's glucose reading may become inaccurate. It must be cleaned with a slightly damp cloth every now and then, to keep it dirt free. The hand from which the blood is taken must be clean and dry. Otherwise, the dirt may interfere with the glucose test results.

This glucose test will help people keep track of the glucose level in their blood and control their normal blood glucose levels and continue their diabetes treatment effectively. They will be help patients to make dietary changes and adjust their consumption of fat and carbohydrates. This will help them maintain normal blood glucose level and undertake any glucose treatment if necessary.




Michael Jennings has a special interest in diabetes and invites you to find out how to manage diabetes naturally through diet [http://www.treat-diabetes-naturally.com]. He also supplies up-to-date information on blood glucose monitors and diabetes to help you in the management of your condition ==> http://www.meters-blood-glucose.com





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Soil Moisture Meter - A Farmer's Friend


A device used to measure the percent of water content in any kind of soil is a soil moisture meter. It is an essential device to be possessed in the field of agriculture and its related fields. Such a device can detect the moisture content of the soil and we can decide the amount of water to be supplied to the plants that are to be grown at that time. Thus pretty much healthy growth of plants is ensured.

Any farmer who runs a field or a householder who possesses a garden can own one such gadget to measure the humidity of the field or garden soil as it is not that costly and it is a user-friendly device for anyone to make use of it efficiently. When put to use, it will show the various ranges of water content in the soil by the color indicators and each color denoting a particular range.

Different models are available and each of them works on a different principle. We have meters that use electrical resistance blocks and thermal dissipation blocks. The farmer uses a sensor called the electrical resistance block and the latter temperature sensors.

The commercial farmers grow various kinds of crops in a very large scale and they cannot afford to bear huge losses. Thus for the plants to give a better yield and thereby generate more profit a healthy soil and environment are the main criteria that should be made available. One of the factors that determines the soil health is its dampness and it should be monitored throughout the life of a plant and ensure enough water is supplied when it is dry and follow a dry period if the soil dampness has increased sue to some reasons.

Thus we can opine that this device is a must have one as it guides you how much and when to water the plants making a way for their healthful development continuously.




Chris is the writer of this article, you can visit us for more information on soil moisture meter and acidic soil. Visit to read more detail.





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Soleus Air CFM-40e Dehumidifier Review


Recently I purchased a Soleus Air CFM-40e dehumidifier for moisture problems in my bedroom. Based on my experience I can honestly say the Soleus Air CFM-40e series dehumidifier ranks amongst the top of all brands in this size. Chances are, if you believe you need a dehumidifier then you probably need one. Some of the signs that you need a dehumidifier are rotting wood trim, musty odors, window condensation, water stains on interior walls and increased allergic reactions. All of these are an indication of increased moisture in your home and a reason to buy a good dehumidifier.

If you ignore the moisture, the result will be the growth of mold and mildew and also the release of mold spores which are a main contributor to allergies and asthma. If not taken care of quickly, long term moisture problems can and will cause thousands of dollars in damage.

The first thing you need to do is try to get to the root of the moisture problem. Your best bet is to fix the moisture problem at the root. However, sometimes it's just not possible to find or fix the problem; thus making a dehumidifier imperative. If you're looking for an efficient, quiet dehumidifier then look no further than the Soleus Air CFM-40e. Below are the features and my review of the Soleus Air CFM-40e.

Nearly Silent Operation

Without a doubt the biggest complaint for dehumidifiers is the noise level. If you've ever stood next to a dehumidifier you know how loud they can be. The Soleus Air CFM-40E is without a doubt the most quiet dehumidifier I have ever used or heard. The unit has three power levels; Quiet, Medium and High. With the power level set to Quiet, the sound level is 41 decibels according to the user's guide. To make this easier to understand, a library is typically around 30 decibels. Normal conversation is 60 - 70 decibels. So 41 decibels is somewhere between a whisper quiet library and a normal conversation.

I also have an older LG dehumidifier. It's used in my basement. It certainly is a real work horse. But it's also sounds like a jet engine at take off. I had done tons of research on dehumidifiers before purchasing one. But I was still very nervous when I ordered the Soleus Air CFM-40e because it was to be used in my bedroom and I had never heard one run. I needed something that was very quiet. The Soleus Air CFM-40e is definitely that; extremely quiet. I don't always run it at night because humidity levels aren't always high, but when I do run it at night, I don't even notice it's there. It sits about 3 feet from the foot of my bed. I'm not saying you can't hear it at all, but it's kind of like white noise. I typically have a TV on in my bedroom when I go to bed. The timer is set on the TV for 60 minutes and I am usually sleeping long before that. While the TV is on, I cannot hear the dehumidifier at all. If I happen to wake up at night I no longer even notice it's on.

Unlike traditional dehumidifiers, the Soleus Air CFM-40e uses a rotary compressor, which is one of the reasons it's so quiet. Most other compressors use a reciprocating type compressor which is louder. The fan motor is also nearly silent. The Soleus Air engineers went to great lengths during the design phase to ensure nearly silent operation.

Extremely Powerful Dehumidifying Capability

Dehumidifiers work by drawing air into the unit with a fan. As air is drawn into the dehumidifier it is cooled by pulling the air over a cold coil system. Cool air does not have the capability to hold water like warm air does. As the air is cooled, the water in the warm air condenses on the cool coils. The water which has collected on the coils then runs off those coils and drips into a catch pan. Once the air has shed its water, it is drawn back over warmer coils. The warm coils heat the air back up to more room like temperature without inducing more water into the air. The more surface area the coils have, the greater the dehumidifying capability of the unit.

The Soleus Air CFM-40e is rated to remove 40 pints of water per day. That's 5 gallons of water every day. However, the water tank will only hold 12.5 pints of water. This means if your room air is so humid that the dehumidifier actually removes 40 pints per day, you would need to empty the tank roughly 3.5 times per day. The Soleus Air CFM-40e does come standard with a continuous drainage port. The continuous drainage port allows you to connect a hose to the side of the unit and drain directly into a drain of some type or even out a window if you have access to one.

Perfect Humidity Levels With Adjustable Humidistat

Once humdity get above 50%, mold and mildew can start to grow, and other moisture problems can surface. Humidity levels can be measured with a simple hygrometer. A hygrometer is a tool that will tell you how humid the air is by measuring the amount of water vapor in the air. The prices are all over the map, but for a small investment you can get a good idea how humid your area is. I purchased a hygrometer online and paid less than $10. It works very well.

The Soleus Air CFM-40e has 4 humidity level settings. Three of the settings are dry / medium / moist. The dry setting is for a humidity level of 50%. The medium setting keeps is for a 60% humidity level and the moist setting keeps the area at 70% humidity. The fourth setting is continual de-humidification. At this setting the Soleus Air CFM-40e will keep sucking water like a camel getting ready for a desert trip.

Initially I thought the lack of a wider range of settings might be a problem. Not to worry. I've found that leaving the unit set for the dry setting keeps my bedroom between 45% and 50% humidity. Sometimes the humidity level will be a little lower and sometimes it's a little higher depending on where I've placed the hygrometer. The Soleus Air CFM-40e has plenty of adjustments to get you the humidity level you need.

Miscellaneous Features

Without a doubt, dehumidification capability and quietness are two most important factors when deciding upon a dehumidifier. However, the Soleus Air CFM-40e has more features that make it an outstanding value.


It's energy efficient! I hooked the Soleus Air CFM-40e up to an electric usage meter. Based on that I calculated if I was to run the dehumidifier 24 hours a day, 7 days a week it would cost me about $20. I don't run it close to that much. I've found out that in the winter time I do not need to run it all all because the furnace is running and the air is colder and drier. In the summer time, I run it 8 hours per day; so that's about $7 per month. Not bad at all to solve a moisture problem.
An attractive design. You won't see it displayed in an art gallery, but for a dehumidifier it's not bad looking. Most dehumidifiers are boxy and industrial looking. The Soleus Air CFM-40e has a nice rounded, aerodynamic look. Even though you wouldn't see this in an art gallery, I have seen modern art not nearly as attractive.
There are wheels on the bottom if the unit to make moving it easier. It's not a very heavy unit, weighing in at less than 31 pounds. But the wheels make it easy to move from one area to another if you need to.
Adjustable louvers on the top of the unit to direct the output airflow where you want it to go.
The Soleus Air CFM-40e will operate down to 36 degrees Fahrenheit. This is important because if you use it in your basement or garage it will continue to work down that temperature. Other dehumidifiers will not work in temperatures that low. Ensure you check the temperature rating of any unit you purchase and verify it will work in the area you plan to place it.
A magnetic float that automatically turns the unit off when the drainage tank is full. No need to worry about the unit overflowing. Just be sure you don't remove the styrofoam that's attached to the float when you unpack the unit. The styrofoam is there for a purpose, but it looks like packing material.

A Quirk That's Not A Quirk

When the Soleus Air CFM-40e is powered on, you will immediately notice one thing about it that you may not like. But, this one quirk is actually a smart design by Soleus Air. The minor quirk is while the unit is powered on, the intake fan runs continuously. Even when the unit is not activiely dehumidifying the intake fan is running. This is a smart idea because when the intake fan is running the room air is continuously being cycled. By doing this the dehumidifier can constantly monitor the humidity in the room. If the air was not being moved in the room, the dehumidifier would only be able to monitor the humidity in the area in which it was located. The fan running all the time is not really an issue because it is so quiet. I've been very happy with my purchase of the Soleus Air CFM-40e. If I ever need another dehumidifier I would certainly look at at Soleus Air.




Bill has worked as a support engineer in the AIDC industry for more than 10 years. He is an avid reader, blogger and self-taught guitar player. His blog at http://bestgiftsfor.com reviews, compiles other reviews and recommends the best gifts for everyone on your shopping list. You can also visit http://www.barcodehelponline.com for more information on barcodes and barcode scanners.





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2012年5月29日 星期二

Moisture Sensors Can Prevent Foundation Damage


Home owners are well aware of the fact that preventing foundation damage is of utmost importance to ensure the integrity of their property. If the foundation of their home is damaged, then the stability and resiliency of the property is endangered and the lives of all the people living in it is put at risk too.

Apart from a bad constructed foundation, one of the most common issues that this basic part of our homes can suffer from is water damage. Either we live in an extremely wet area and the soil gets extremely wet and takes a lot of time to dry out or our house draining system is clogged so that it does not work properly. No matter the reason, if the house foundation gets wet, we may start finding humidity stains on walls and moss and fungi on ceilings and corners.

Leaking pipes are also a common cause of foundation problems. Many a time, problematic pipes can be easily detected and repaired by a professional plumber. But other times they are really very difficult to detect and, when we do, it is already too late. Either the damage in our piping system is too extensive or we discover overnight that our basement has turned into our own ocean.

Fortunately, technology advancements have come to make the life of home owners much more valuable and easy. Now, there are instruments that can accurately help home owners detect an excess of humidity somewhere in their house so that they can immediately try to solve it.

One of the most interesting technical advancements that have appeared in this sense are humidity sensors. These devices are also popularly referred to as moisture analyzers or hygrometers. These are devices that are extremely sensitive to humidity and that can accurate measure the relative humidity present in a certain environment and report the values to the user. Thus, he can decide if they are within acceptable ranges or if they need to be somehow adjusted. In the case of a home owner, if according to the hygrometer the environment is too wet, he can then decide to call a plumber to do a major check up. Moisture sensors can be placed in basements so that any unusual level of moisture can be detected. Moisture sensors are really easy to calibrate and to operate as they are simplified but accurate versions of the instruments used for industrial or manufacturing purposes.




Eduard Jim writing about Moisture Sensors





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Dry Boxes and Dry Cabinets - Protect Your Products!


With so many new and interesting technologies on the rise, it's sometimes difficult to keep up with everything. There are so many products being designed every year to make our lives easier and more entertaining. Sometimes the most useful products are not the most exciting, but they certainly have their place! The dry box is one such product - it's designed to safely dry sensitive items - everything from large blankets to cameras and heavy equipment - if it's essential for you to dry an item, or protect an item from moisture damage, this product is an essential item for you to have.

These boxes work by creating an environment that maintains a very low level of humidity. If you are, for example, a photographer living in a climate with a high level of humidity, keeping your cameras and other equipment safe from the elements is a concern. By using a dry box to regulate the amount of humidity your items are exposed to, you can keep them safe, and increase their lifespan. Musical instruments made of wood, or sensitive garments that may grow mold if exposed to high levels of humidity are also commonly placed in these boxes.

While dry boxes can be built simply using special gels and sealed containers, it's impossible to accurately regulate the level of humidity within the box itself. This is why some manufacturers have begun creating dry boxes - these are electrically powered cabinets with self regulating humidity monitors that ensure a desired level of dryness will be maintained at all times. Some boxes do this by condensing the moisture from the air and removing it from the inside of the cabinet. Other boxes control the humidity level digitally using a cooler and a meter to allow the user to choose the amount of moisture present in the box.

These boxes can be used at home or in a professional setting, and their use is growing. Manufacturers are beginning to produce units for personal use, so the size is being reduced. Imagine having a dry box like this in your laundry room or living room to help dry your things! Products like this are useful, innovative, and sure to make an impact on our lives in the future.




Thank you for reading! For more information about other manufacturing products, please visit http://www.limestone-fleamarket.com, and for more information about dry boxes, please visit http://www.totech.com





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2012年5月28日 星期一

Advantages Of Sensored Clothes Dryers


Clothes dryers are, probably, busy moms' best friends. They are really convenient and practical if you have a large family or if you live in a wet, rainy area and your clothes take a lot of time to dry up. Even if you are a mom of a single child you can find that clothes dryers are highly advantageous as they allow you to get rid of the lining rope and they help you have your clothes ready to be ironed in no time.

If you shop around for clothes dryers you will probably be surprised by the wide variety of them that is available in the market. If you want to buy one or if you have to replace yours, it is highly advisable that you opt for a sensored one.

Let's first explain that a sensored clothes dryer is not "sensitive" but it comes with an in built moisture sensor that will help you take proper care of your clothes. Moisture sensors are highly technical devices that are sensitive to humidity and moisture. They are widely used in varied and multiple industrial and factory environments and they play a very important role in helping factory operators make sure that the products they produce comply with the strictest industrial expectations. For instance, they are used in the food and beverage industry to dry up coffee beans, barley grains, potato chips and breakfast cereals and in the pharmaceutical industry to ensure that the humidity does not affect the properties of chemical compounds.

Clothes dryers with an in built moisture sensor dry up clothes until this device notes that the humidity level in the piece of clothing is imperceptible and it turns the unit off. Thus, as you can easily appreciate, the fibers of your clothing are preserved from excessive dryness or heat and you are also saving in electricity.

These sophisticated clothes drying units can be a bit more expensive than other models but they are much more advantageous.

Not only are your clothes kept in better condition so there is no risk of accidentally shrinking them but also you do not risk setting your house on fire because the unit over heats.

Sensor dryers usually can be adjusted to different levels according to the type of clothing you have put into the device:

· Level 1: The fabrics will have a very low moisture level so that you can iron them more easily.

· Level 2: It is great for those clothes that will be placed on hangers. The little moisture left will disappear as your clothes are hanged.

· Level 3: It ensures you that the clothes are absolutely dry so that they do not get musty or start to smell badly.




Eduard Jim by Moisture Analyzers





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Process Sensors And Their Role In Industrial Environments


Just as technical advancements have made our life easier and more comfortable, they have also had a positive and impressive impact in our working environment. Business organizations rely on computers and machines to satisfy their customers' expectations all year round and all day round and in almost every case to ensure high levels of productivity.

Industries and factories also require technical devices to help them perform at their best level, keep up with their clients' expectations and comply with the industry standards. Thus, industries and factories many a time rely on process sensors to make sure that the products being manufactured are being produced within the acceptable standards.

There are different process sensors available in the market. Some of them are specific to some industries while others can be shared by many. Two of the most popular ones are humidity sensors and temperature analyzers. We are going to deal with both of them in this article as they are quite generic and they are widely used in several industries.

HUMIDITY SENSORS

Humidity sensors are also popularly referred to as moisture analyzers or hygrometers. They are highly sophisticated instruments that allow factory owners and operators make sure that the product being manufactured is not exposed to the wrong levels of humidity and that it is being produced in an environment that has the right content of moisture. Believe it or not, this is quite a serious issue that has to be handled with accuracy and care. There are many products that can be ruined if they are exposed to more wetness than what they really need. For instance, if potato chips are packed wet they will taste sour when we eat them and coffee beans may smell sour and rotten if they are packed when they are not well dried enough. The wood industry also needs moisture analyzers: wood has to be dry enough to be able to cut it into pieces but wet enough to remain flexible. Industries use different hygrometers along the manufacturing process to keep close track of the humidity conditions in the environment.

TEMPERATURE METERS

Temperature meters are usually called thermometers and, as their name suggests, they are used to measure the temperature present in the manufacturing environment. They play an essential role in the chemical industry as chemical compounds cannot be exposed to dramatic changes in temperature or to very high or low temperatures under the risk of losing their properties.




Eduard Jim writing about Humidity Sensors





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Drying Water Damaged Buildings in the Hot Humid Summer


Drying a water damaged building in the humid weather is much different than drying a building in the dry weather. In many areas of the world there is a dry season and a wet season.

In the dry season it is often so dry that the use of dehumidification in a water damage is only necessary to remove excess moisture created by evaporation of moisture from wet building materials and contents of the home. The facility is typically dry in one to three days with minimal use of dehumidification.

When the season changes and we get hot, humid weather everything changes. In humid weather dehumidification is used not only to remove moisture created by evaporation but its used to create an atmosphere conducive to allow evaporation to come to pass. When the air is humid water does not readily evaporate.

How can you tell whether or not the air is conducive to allow evaporation? You can only do this by measuring the relative humidity and temperature of the affected air space and then make the necessary calculations to find the absolute humidity or humidity ratio of the air space. This absolute humidity is measured by the number of grains of water there is in every pound of air in the airspace.

If the air is not dry enough, it is highly unlikely that structural materials like concrete, wood and stone will dry. In any water damage situation the water damage technician should be closely monitoring the moisture content of all structural materials in the facility. Many disaster restoration companies use infrared cameras to help track areas that are affected by moisture.

It is extremely important to deal with disaster restoration companies that are concerned with drying your facility until their meters show that your structure is dry. If the company you are dealing with is not providing you with this information then you are exposing yourself to possibly horrific consequences. Sinister mould grows easily in water damaged buildings. Mould can grow very quickly in improperly remediated buildings.

General contractors and carpet cleaners are often the first people called in to remediate a water damage situation. These type of contractors may or may not be able to properly dry a building. Do your homework and ask your contractors questions to determine whether or not they have the training to be able to dry a building.

Ask them if they have the moisture meters (not sensors) to be able to track the process of drying. Ask them whether or not you get a copy of the records at the end of the job. Ask them whether or not there are hard to dry structural items in your structure. Ask them how they are going to dry them. Ask them what their drying goals are. Ask them whether or not they have water damage remediation training. Ask them when they received their certification. The water damage business has progressed significantly over the past five to ten years. There are dramatic changes in the Standards for water damage and someone without recent upgrades in their education may no longer understand the new findings of the drying industry.




James (Lee) Senter is an IICRC Approved Instructor on the subjects of Water Damage Remediation, Applied Structural Drying and Health and Safety. Mr. Senter teaches at The Center For Disaster Recovery and several industry distributors across Canada. Lee is a well known speaker and writer on the subjects of mould remediation and water damage restoration. Lee owns a company that performs large and small water damage remediations and can be found at http://www.dryit.ca.





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2012年5月27日 星期日

Rackmount Powerstrips With Energy Metering For Economical Power Usage


Rackmount powerstrips are great accessories that are used with server racks. Due to their huge popularity, manufacturers have come up with many innovative varieties that are economical, environment conscious and user friendly. Teamed with server racks they provide a manageable IT environment.

There are many varieties that come with energy metering so that you are aware of the amount of power that is being consumed by your servers and hardware accessories. Most of these rackmount powerstrips with current meters have built-in intelligence, integrated support for optional environment sensors, web-based energy performance tracking capabilities and other security features.

These rackmount powerstrips with current metering can help in accurate and continuous power monitoring for orchestrating efficient cooling among racks, and optimize capacity. These categories reflect unmatched combination of engineering capabilities and technological innovations. They further help in delivering solutions that help companies manage their data center power and cooling funds in a far more efficient manner.

These types of powerstrips also offer extensive and accurate power information that includes data on voltage, current (Amps), power factor, apparent power (kVA), active power (kW), environmental temperature and humidity.

Most of these great power tools also come with an LED display to enable the user to view the results accurately and accordingly take the right measures. A few rackmount powerstrips also have the ability to change their LED display orientation when they are rotated. This is to provide added rack installation flexibility. Some powerstrips even come with alerts and alarms to let data centre operators know about a problem instantly.

If you are really conscious about saving energy, then try one of these rackmount powerstrips with energy metering and see what they can do for you.




ISC has a large selection of server rack and rackmount accessories. Their online catalog for rackmount powerstrips does a good job showing your options along with detailed description so you know exactly what the rack or cabinet can do.





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Concrete Testing Using Geotechnical Software


Concrete testing includes a variety of methods for testing concrete moisture, including both surface areas and the concrete within the depths of the slab. One commonly used method, though not covered in ICRI certification, is moisture meters which can be used for finding areas of higher surface moisture. This method, however, should not be used to obtain a quantitative value of the moisture or to indicate whether a slab is dry enough to start covering the floor, but mainly to show you where to begin. Once you've gotten a good reading, your geotechnical software can transmit the data directly through the lab, using a combination of mobile and online technology.

There are generally three moisture tests for concrete testing covered in ICRI certification. These include the calcium chloride test for moisture vapor emission rate of a slab, the surface relative humidity test, and the slab internal relative humidity test. It's essential that the building's environment remain consistent at least 48 hours prior to testing to allow the slab to reach a stable equilibrium with the ambient conditions of the building. The ideal temperature is right around what the plant emits during regular operation. This way the geotechnical software is fed more reliable data that can be transmitted back to the lab.

In concrete testing, the calcium chloride test measures the MVER of a slab, which essentially is the amount of H2O vapor emitting from the surface of the concrete. It's a popular test to determine if a floor is ready for floor coverings. Quite a few companies measure kits for this service, but it's best to use a testing kit that's compatible with geotechnical software so the data can be transferred instantly to the lab over the Internet. Unless of course, you'd like to relive 1985 and hit the payphone after lunchtime lugging a pocket full of quarters.

Each calcium chloride test is conducted using a small dish of dry bone calcium chloride that is then placed under a plastic dome to create a closed environment over the concrete. This is left on the surface for 60 to 72 hours. The CaCl then absorbs all moisture emitted from the concrete for accurate measurement. The MVER value can be expressed in the amount of water coming from the surface of 1000 square feet of area in 24 hours.

Once you've gotten accurate concrete testing data, the information is automatically cataloged by your geotechnical software and transferred electronically back to the lab. The concrete testing itself may be similar, but the transfer of data couldn't be simpler.




Saul Ellrod is the author of this article on geotechnical software and the process of concrete testing.





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Preventing Asthma Attacks


The facts are staggering. 40,000 people, both children and adults, miss school, work or other functions because of asthma. 30,000 have an active attacks. One in four Americans have to deal with this disease. It's most prevalent in cities, particularly inner cities. There a number of reasons for this, including poverty, pollution and overpopulation.

An asthma attack can cause swelling in the airway, produce a wracking cough and a strong choking sensation. The difficulty in breathing causes (understandably) fear, which can increase the symptom of choking. If it's your first attack, the fear is stronger. Once diagnosed, a prescription rescue inhaler may bring results in a few seconds.

None of us want to deal with asthma. Preventing future attacks should be goal number one, but it will take some time and effort on your part. Depending on the circumstances, a diagnosis could be life altering. Not taking care of it can also be life ending. What can you do?

1) Know your Triggers: Most attacks occur because of a trigger. Most of the time, it's an allergic reaction to something you've been exposed to, either by taste, touch or smell. Emotions can also be triggers. Grief, crying and even laughing can cause reactions. One method of learning your personal triggers is a scratch test. This will give you a great deal of information about what you are allergic to.

2) Beware the Weather: There are some indications that certain types of weather may result in asthma complications. Extremely cold weather is one example. Some people have difficulty in very humid weather, especially if it's hot. Notice when you have problems and take steps to avoid being exposed to it as much as possible. This means you'll have to keep an eye on the weather reports, but it is worth it.

3) Smoke is the Enemy: Before inhalers were invented, doctors would prescribe smoking to those who had this respiratory condition. A puff or two did offer some relief, but it also lead to addiction. A lot of tobacco smoke will have the exact opposite effect. Any type of smoke can do the same thing, whether it's a campfire or a raging brush/forest fire. Listen for smog alerts as well. Exerting yourself when the pollution level is high can lead to an attack.

4) Proper Use of the Peak Flow Meter: Your doctor will show you how to set up your peak flow meter. There will be a range that will indicate you aren't developing symptoms, an area where you are likely already having an attack and a level which means go to the emergency room immediately. You'll need to use the meter several times a day and write down the results. If you do need to be seen, bring this with you so the doctors can help you figure out a way to have more control over the disease.

You may require preventative medications to control this disease. Talk to your doctor about which are best and what the possible side effects are. If you take any supplements, be sure to mention them to your doctor as well. Some supplements may be triggers for attacks and others may interact with the medications you take.




My eBook the Complete Guide to Complementary Remedies, has information from all of my mini books, plus much more. Topics include:
? Blood pressure: Page Eleven
? Depression: Page Fourteen
? Kidney stones: Page Fifty-Six
? Herbs and weight loss: Page One Hundred Two
? Interaction list: Page One Hundred Fifteen
Our site has information on many topics and my five eBooks about herbal remedies. You can also download my free report, the Top Ten Herbs. It details ten popular herbs, their uses, side effects, precautions and drug interactions. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me: mary@healing-home-remedies.com





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2012年5月26日 星期六

Basic Terms In Humidity / Dampness Measurement


The amount of water vapour contained in air or gas is called as humidity. This humidity affects human comforts and many industrial process as in case of chemical industries, garments industries, paper industries, food industries, leather industries, pharmaceutical industries, precision equipment manufacturing, etc. hence, study of humidity is important. Let us define some common terms related to humidity measurement.

Humidity

The amount of WV contained in air or gas is called as humidity. It is usually measured as absolute humidity, relative humidity or due point temperature.

Note WV = water Vapour

Dry air

When there is no WV contained in the atmosphere, it is called dry air.

Moist air

When there is WV present in the atmosphere, it is called moist air.

Saturated air

Saturated air is the moist air where the partial pressure of WV equals the saturation pressure of steam corresponding to the temperature of air.

Absolute humidity

It is the mass of WV present per unit volume. In other words, it is the quantity of the WV present in air and its unit is grams per cubic meter of air.

Relative humidity RH

Relative humidity = (WV pressure actually present)/(WV pressure required of saturation) at a given.

Here a comparison is made between the humidity of air and humidity of saturated air at the same temperature and pressure.

It should be noted that if relative humidity is 100%, it is saturated air. That is, the air contains all the moisture it can hold.

It should also be noted that the degree of saturation (percentage of relative humidity) of air keeps on changing with temperature.

Humidity ratio or specific humidity

For a given volume of air water vapour mixture,

Humidity ratio = (mass of water - vapour)/mass of dry air

Dew point temperature

By continuous cooling at constant pressure if the temperature of air is reduced, the water-vapour in the air will start to condense at a particular temperature. The temperature at which the water vapour stats condensing is called as dew point temperature.

Dry-bulb temperature

When a thermometer bulb is directly exposed to an air-water vapour mixture, the temperature indicated by the thermometer is the dry-bulb temperature.

This dry-bulb temperature is not affected by the moisture present in the air, that is, the temperature of air is measured in a normal way by the thermometer.

The dry bulb is used to distinguish the normal temperature measured from the temperature measured by the wet-bulb.

Wet-bulb temperature

When a thermometer bulb is covered by a constantly wet wick, and if the bulb covered by the wet wick is exposed to air-water vapour mixture, the temperature indicated by the thermometer is wet-bulb temperature.

When air is passed on the wet wick present on the bulb of the thermometer, the moisture present in the wick strats evaporating and this creates a cooling effect at the bulb. The bulb now measures the thermo dynamic equilibrium temperature reached between the cooling effected by the evaporation of water and heating by convection.

Wet-bulb depression

Wet-bulb depression = (dry bulb temperature) - (wet bulb temperature)

Always dry-bulb temperature is higher than the wet bulb temperature.

Percentage humidity

Percentage humidity = weight of water vapour in a unit weight of air/ weight of water vapour in same weight of air if the air were completely saturated at the same temperature.




To Learn more on Humidity Measurement instruments and tools like Dew Point Meter visit Humidity Measurement Category in my blog





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A Power Meter by Any Other Name


Power meters are the essential workhorses for electricians and anyone who designs, manufactures or installs electrical devices. Within the broad category there are sub-categories that are specialized for certain tasks.

There are electric meters, used by utility companies to measure the amount of electricity a customer uses. There is the kilowatt meter that measures the amount of energy, in kilowatts, in a given electrical circuit. Optical power meters measure the amount of energy in fiber optical transmission systems and are often used by optical network builders. An ammeter measures the energy of an electric circuit in units of amperes. Then there are the most common ones people think of as the devices they use to check home wiring, or car electrical systems.

The main difference in power meters is between analog and digital. Analog is designed to give a continuous reading of levels. Digital meters can closely approximate analog continuity, however, by their nature, they use very small discrete units of measurement. One is not better than the other, rather the type of measurement needed and the electrical output being measured often determine which type is used.

Most digital types can measure both volts and amperes, in either alternating and/or direct current in one unit. They can combine multiple functions in one unit, such as a power meter, oscilloscope, and data logging from periods ranging from minutes to months. Some of the more advanced ones can generate graphs and reports when used with special software.

How the power meter is to be used can also be seen in its design. There are meters that use probes, others that use clamps, some are designed to sit on a bench and others designed for portability. An industrial/military meter is designed to perform its task under the extremes of heat, cold, humidity, shock, electromagnetic interference, and vibration.

Power meters are often used as a calibration tool to continuously check electrical levels in processing or manufacturing, where the electrical levels have an important part in determining the quality of the final product, such as when electrical current is used for bonding two different materials. They are also heavily used for quality control when the final product has to operate within defined tolerances, such as electric motors. In scientific instruments, power metering is a given for x-ray machines, magnetic imaging or containment devices, lasers and other pulse instruments, and many other instruments that require extreme control of power levels.




Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information about Kilowatt meter, please visit http://www.hoytmeter.com/.





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GlucoWatch - What You Need to Know Before Getting One?


In previous article which describes what is a GlucoWatch (a wrist watch version of Blood Glucose Meter), we share with you about this new painless technology of blood glucose testing where fluid is extracted through the human skin and glucose level in the fluid is measured using the device (GlucoWatch) to determine your blood sugar level.

GlucoWatch - What You Need To Know Before Getting One

There are some important facts which are worth mentioning for your knowledge before getting one.

1. In March 2001, FDA (U.S. Food Drug And Food Administration) has approved the use of GlucoWatch as a prescription device for adults with diabetes. See info.

2. In August 2002, FDA has approved the use of GlucoWatch for use by children and adolescents with diabetes. See info.

3. A new calibration of the device through the use of a finger-stick blood glucose test is required every 13 hours when a new skin pad is replaced to ensure accuracy of the meter results.

4. Individual GlucoWatch readings should not be used to determine and make changes to the insulin dosage. It is recommended that you should take several readings over time and confirm it with a finger stick blood glucose test.

5. Readings might be skipped when patients perspire especially during exercise or in an extremely hot humid environment.

6. Patients may develop rashes on the skin that come directly in contact with the watch. However, this may not apply to every patient as different people has different skin condition.

Overall, a GlucoWatch is a valuable tool you can add on to your list of Blood Glucose Meters.




"GlucoWatch - What You Need To Know Before Getting One?" is proudly written by George Greg, a Blood Glucose Meter Specialist





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2012年5月25日 星期五

What You Need to Know About Using a Humidifier


There is a reason why humidifiers are most popular in regions that experience cold climates. Cold air is known to hold less moisture than warm air. Excessive dryness has long been known to cause an assortment of problems. But using a humidifier properly is important to avoid problems associated with over humidification.

Extremely low humidity is known to cause problems around the house. Wood products can be damaged when there is too little moisture. This threatens items like furniture, wood picture frames and cabinets. But even more important is the health risk posed by low humidity. The dry air can cause chapped, itchy or irritated skin as well as respiratory problems.

On the flip side, extremely high relative humidity can cause problems of its own. Excessive moisture in the air promotes mold growth, dust mites, and mildew. All of these are potentially dangerous to the health of anyone residing in the house. The point of a humidifier is to maintain optimal levels and not to over humidify a room.

The recommended humidity level is 30% to 50%. Most doctors recommend a humidifier for patients with respiratory difficulties as a result of suboptimal humidity conditions. To be effective, a humidifier has to be appropriately sized for the space it is to be used in.

While a humidifier is used to combat extreme dryness, some additional features such as a humidity meter. A unit with a humidity meter allows the user to set a target humidity level. When the relative humidity reaches the target the unit has an auto shut off function which can help prevent over humidification.




There is a little maintenance required for the humidifier to continue to work properly. The replacement humidifier filter must be change in a timely manner and it is a good idea to perform routine cleaning keep the unit performing its best. This includes changing the furnace humidifier filter.





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How to Build Your Own Wine Cellar


So many people around the world are passionate about wine. Some people are happy to by just a cheap bottle of plonk whilst others are more connoisseurs and are willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a single bottle of wine. Then there are others who buy wine because they see it as an investment just like stocks and shares. It's surprising just how much wine can increase in value over a couple of decades.

Whatever types of wine buyer or drinker you are, building your own wine cellar can be an excellent idea. Wines don't keep forever but if you want to lay a bottle down for a few years, you want to make sure you keep it in the best conditions. Wines hate heat, humidity and sunlight so building a wine cellar will allow you to keep wines in conditions that you have control over.

What Are Wine Cellars?

A wine cellar is a room which create the perfect environment for wines. Wines really dislike heat, light and humidity so it's important to store wine properly. You will find that some that are underground are naturally the correct temperature and humidity. However many people don't have this luxury so need to install various items of equipment so that they can control all the elements. Most restaurants will have a cellar but some people are building their own at home too.

If you are building your own wine cellar there are some basic steps you need to be aware of.

Location of Wine Cellar: Before you can begin you need to work out if you have enough room for one. You don't need the biggest of spaces a 3 x 3 x 3 meters will do the job. The most ideal location is in your basement however for larger homes you can build one wherever you want pretty much.

Insulation: This is an area which you mustn't neglect because insulation will help keep your cellar cool and keep the heat out; much like an insulated cool bag you would take on a picnic. The amount of insulation you need is R-11 and for the outside walls you need R-19. If your cellar is going to be built in the basement you need to see about a vapour barrier and concrete sealant for the flooring. For the vapor barrier you would use a polyethylene plastic sheet which is 6mm thick.

Cooling System: The type of cooling system you will probably choose will be either standard or split. Ultimately it comes down to personal choice however there are differences you should understand. Standard systems are cheaper and easier to install but the downside is their lifespan; it's only about 5 or 6 years. The split system is the opposite; it costs more and needs to be fitted by a professional however it lasts a lot longer.

Doors: Choosing a door might not seem that important for a wine cellar but it is. The door you select mustn't have a window and it must be well insulated and solid. Do not select a wooden door because the insulation is not enough.

Lighting: You will want to have lighting in your cellar for when you want to place bottles on a rack or take one away. You might even want to impress your friends with your collection and vast knowledge of wines. However it's important to remember that lights can damage the wine so you'll probably want to have dimmer switches installed so that you have more control over the intensity.

Flooring: The types of flooring you choose affect the conditions of your cellar. Hard surfaces like stone, slate and tile are much better and never install carpets.

Wine Cellar Kits: If you are really not sure about what you should be buying when building your own wine cellar, buying a kit is an ideal solution. The prices will obviously vary depending on what quality and specifications you have set. Remember that you usually get what you pay for so don't just make your decision based on price.

So whether you have a relatively small collection of wine bottles or enough to supply a small hotel, building your own wine cellar can make a great addition to your home.




April has written a number of articles relating to food and wine at www.foodandwineworld.com including: Wine Tasting in Portugal and How to Build Your Own Wine Cellar.





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2012年5月24日 星期四

A Glucose Meter - Living With Diabetes


A blood glucose meter is important for all patients with diabetes because this will help them keep tabs on their blood sugar levels as often as recommended by their health care provider. A patient may also exercise his or her own discretion in scheduling use of a blood glucose meter. For instance, even if you are not yet scheduled to do your regular testing with the blood glucose tester but you feel off and suspect that your blood sugar levels are fluctuating, you may clarify with the use of the blood glucose monitor.

It is important to understand that a glucose monitor is a pretty complicated piece of machinery in the sense that you need to be very meticulous about many things about it. For one thing, you will need to take extra care in storing and keeping the blood glucose tester and the accompanying test strips. Heat and humidity can affect the performance of your blood glucose monitor and may very well ruin your test strips. When this happens, you will no longer have accurate readings from your blood glucose meter.

You will also have to take special care in understanding and practicing the correct procedures surrounding testing with a glucose meter. For instance you will need to know whether your blood sugar tester accepts blood samples from alternative sites aside from your fingertip. Some glucose monitors will readily be able to read results accurately from alternative testing sites such areas from the thigh, upper arm and the like. However, not all blood glucose meters will be able to the same. Besides, the general accuracy of testing from blood samples from other than your fingertip can really produce results that are askew.

Taking blood as samples from alternative sites other than from your fingertip will show varying degrees of results especially if you have just eaten or taken an insulin shot. The best place to draw samples from to use on your blood sugar meter is still the tip of your finger. If your fingertip has become sore from previous testing, vary the finger that you use to prevent the same soreness on other fingers.

Remember that the fingertip that you will be taking blood samples from must be completely clean. Even a minute trace of food or sugar can throw the test results completely off mark and this could mean trouble. Make sure that you thoroughly clean your finger and hands before doing a self test with your glucose meter.

If you suffer from diabetes and do not have a glucose monitor, go ahead and get yourself one. Having a blood glucose tester if you have diabetes is essential to proper diabetes care. This is a special tool that can help you cope and live with diabetes so it is important that you have one.

If you are having difficulty in deciding on what brand or type of glucose meter to use, consult your health care profession on what are the possible types that you can use easily and readily.




Final Tip: Remember that there are 2 types of diabetes and the treatment are not always the same, by researching and comparing the best cures for diabetes, you will get the treatment that is right for you. Fortunately, it has been reported the effectiveness of some prescribed medication. Also, there are natural remedies and treatments that are very safe and work to treat your illness without flaw.

Renata Nyleve runs the Best Diabetic Health Supplement website - where you can see her best rated diabetic health supplement. Optimum Diabetics was formulated to provide nutritional support for people with diabetes. Each supplement includes a complete, full-potency formulation of vitamins, minerals and standardized herbal extracts. Visit for further information.





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Learn To Avoid Water Damage In Your Property


Apart from earthquakes and fires, only water can have such a devastating impact not only on the life and health in a family's life. This is the main reason why it is so important for property owners to pay attention at leaking pipes, clogged drains or sewage systems that do not drain properly. In almost no time, those few drops that leaked from a pipe in the basement can turn that area in your house into your very own swimming pool and mold can start growing on walls and ceilings.

Water can cause severe damage in your property. To begin with, from the aesthetic point of view, it can damage the painting or wallpaper of the walls. Water causes humidity to make ugly yellowish stains that need to dry out completely before you can cover them with some fresh paint.

Humidity in walls and ceilings can lead to mold. And mold may trigger asthma attacks if you or your children are sensitive to it. Mold not only looks ugly on your walls and ceilings but it is also dangerous for your health.

Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to prevent water from causing damage in your house.

One of the most basic ones is doing a regular check up of every drain or pipe in your house. This may be tedious and boring but it is an essential first step to ensuring that there is no leaking pipe or clogged drain. If you see any, you can call a professional plumber to repair it.

Talking about plumbers, they are a second and efficient strategy. You should make it a habit to ask a professional plumber to check your property pipes. They are not only professionally trained to do so but they also have special equipment that can aid them in their task.

It is also really worth it to install a humidity sensor especially in those areas of your house where a pipe may be leaking but either you do not go there very often or is it really difficult to check. A humidity sensor can be placed in basements or attics or even in bedrooms. They are highly sensitive instruments that help you keep moisture under control and prevent water from ruining your flat or house. Moisture sensors are also called hygrometers or humidity analyzers and they are highly sensitive instruments that can immediately let you know when the level of humidity at a certain place is higher than usual.




Eduard Jim written for Moisture Sensors





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Check Your Indoor Humidity Instantly!


Is your home or office too dry?

The right humidity level is really important during the heating season.

Relative humidity is an important factor for several reasons. It affects how comfortable we feel. If it's too dry, we can't seem to get warm no matter how high we set the thermostat. It can affect the ability of some folks to breathe. Humidity levels also affect the cost of heating because lower humidity levels require higher temperatures in order for us to feel comfortable.

Indoor humidity levels are also believed to be related to the frequency of colds and allergic reactions. And excessive humidity can result in unwanted mold growth along with damage and discoloration of window sills, walls, and other building components.

So for a number of different reasons people pay more attention to the indoor relative humidity levels during the heating season.

A lot of folks don't really know what relative humidity is. A simple but non-scientific explanation is that it is the amount of water vapor in the air.

A common method of measuring indoor humidity is to buy a little devise at your local hardware store to tell you what it is. These devices are designed to sit on a table or shelf and are about three inches square in size. They usually sell for less than $20.

My personal experience with these devices is that they are often inaccurate when compared to a commercial indoor air quality meter. The ones I tested were not off by a couple of percentage points. They were off by a lot!

This same device often includes a "comfort zone" which is supposed to indicate at what temperature and relative humidity you will feel comfortable. There is a quick, free, and accurate method to evaluate your indoor humidity. It won't give you the relative humidity in percent, but it will indicate if you have too much or too little humidity. Remember that mold loves excess humidity. Too little and you're going to be uncomfortable.

I have tested this method against the commercial indoor air quality meter I use and found it to be quite accurate in indicating when the humidity level is too high or too low.

So what is this method? It simply requires you to look for two things.

First, look at your windows. Moisture on your windows means the humidity is too high. We're not talking one or two drops. We're talking about enough moisture so it runs down the glass and forms little puddles on the window sill. When this happens, your humidity is too high! If you continue to maintain this high humidity level, you are encouraging mold growth by providing the perfect environment. It will happen.

You may discover water forming on the windows in one area of your house, but not in another. For example, your bathroom window has water frequently forming on the sill while other windows in the house remain dry. Too much humidity in your bathroom may be the result of not running the exhaust fan long enough after a bath or shower. The rest of the house is ok.

So now you know how to determine if there is too much humidity in your house. What about too little?

To determine if it's too dry, you look for another simple, yet accurate indicator. Static electricity. Do you get static electric shocks when you walk across the carpet and touch something metal? Is it impossible to comb your hair without having several strands stick straight out? Do you need a ton of hair spray? Does the cat's fur stick out when you pet him?

These are all signs that it's too dry in your house. You need more humidity.

Now that you know how easy it is to check, you never need to wonder about your indoor humidity level. You'll know almost instantly if it's too humid or too dry. You don't need to buy a thing, and the results are almost instantaneous and quite accurate!

Copyright (c) 2008 Jon Dacken




For your copy of the free report "How To Sell Your Moldy House" plus other "mold secrets your not supposed to know" visit [http://www.thetoxicmoldsolution.com/]





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2012年5月23日 星期三

Humidifier Special Features


There is a wide selection of features that come included in a variety of humidifier models. Beyond the basic functions of humidification, there are some things that are not essential but immensely enhance the usefulness and effectiveness of the appliance. Things like a humidity meter, easy access for replacement of filters, low noise during operation, and water level indicators all enhance the humidifiers usability.

A humidity meter allows the user to set the target humidity level. This gives the user more control over the relatively humidity. When a doctor recommends a humidifier for patients with respiratory problems the optimal relative humidity is around thirty to fifty percent. This is the recommended range to set your meter to. Over humidification brings an assortment of problems of its own so it is important not to increase the humidity too far.

Another factor that increases the value of a humidifier is the ease of use it offers. We do not want to have to take an appliance engineering course just to figure out how to replace a humidifier filter. The unit should be easy to take apart and the reassembly should be straight forward and simple.

Most quality brands are very good at operating with very little noise. The noise comes from the fan and when the unit does not have to work too hard, an adjustable speed setting allows the user to slow down the fan which will reduce the noise. It can become a nuisance to have too much background noise coming from the humidifier so be aware of this possibility when selecting a unit.

Water is the biggest consumable the humidifier will require. Keeping the tank adequately filled is important for the humidifier to be effective. Units that come with low water indicators are helpful for reminding the user when water levels drop. Some units have an auto shut off feature when the tank is empty. Operating a humidifier without water is a tremendous waste of energy.

These are the few things that help make the humidifier much more usable. There are some models that include functions like air purification and dehumidification but usually do not work as well as separate appliances for these specific functions. Knowing what to look for and available options increases the chance that you are happy with your new humidifier.




Visit the Best Humidifier Filters website to read more about humidifier replacement filters, furnace humidifier filters and other different types of humidifiers.





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2012年5月22日 星期二

Five Signs You May Have Mold in Your Home


The easy answer to whether or not you have mold in your home is, yes. There are thousands of different types of mold in the world, and all homes naturally have some mold and spores in the dust and air. Most types in small amounts will not cause severe problems with your health or affect your home adversely, but certain conditions can cause molds to grow and flourish to an unhealthy level. Here are some signs that you may have a high level of mold and/or a type of mold (like Black mold) that could be detrimental to your health and home.

You have areas of high moisture in your home. Mold needs water in order to grow. If your home is particularly humid, or you see lots of condensation around windows, conditions are optimal for a mold problem. Many areas in the southern states or by large bodies of water are particularly prone to high humidity and deserve extra vigilance. Air conditioning window units in particular can be a big source of extra moisture that can lead to mold infestations.

You have an unaddressed leak. A chronic leak in your plumbing, roof, or windows can lead not only to rot, but encourages the growth of mold. Timely repairs can prevent growth, but leaving a leak for more than a couple of days can be all you need to encourage mold to flourish.

Your home smells musty or earthy. Molds are living things that grow on organic based food sources like paper, wood and leaves. Think of how a forest floor or an old pile of leaves smells; if that's familiar, you may want to get your home inspected. Mold can hide within walls, in ductwork, or between the ceiling and roof, so visual evidence may not be available. Your sense of smell can be invaluable when it comes to mold detection.

You see strange specks in odd places. When mold grows it generally begins as spots in varying colors. Mold can be white, brown, black, green, and even orange. If you see specks of color around your air vents, on furniture, on walls, in the cabinet under the sink, etc. there could be a problem.

You or household members have chronic mold allergy symptoms. Respiratory problems, sinus problems, coughing, dry itchy eyes, skin irritation, and headaches are just a few symptoms of sensitivity to mold. Infants and children, the elderly, those with immune system issues, people with allergies, and pregnant women all have an increased susceptibility to molds. Black mold (Strachybotrys atra), a greenish gray mold, is responsible for over 100 kinds of respiratory problems, some so severe they have resulted in disability and even death.

If you are suspicious that you may have a mold problem in your home, it is important to have it tested. While there are kits available, it is a good idea to have a professional come in to do your testing. Some licensed home inspectors are also licensed mold assessors, able to test for mold with state-of-the-art equipment. An assessor will test your air, visually inspect your home, and can even use moisture meters and infrared thermography if a more thorough inspection is necessary. Once it is determined that you have a mold infestation, they can also give advice on remediation and prevention of future growths.

Knowing how to recognize a mold infestation early on can help you keep your family healthy and save money on costly remediation. The presence of mold can be an indicator of an even bigger problem like leaks or insufficient ventilation that can cost even more in home repairs. If you see the signs of mold in your home, don't hesitate to call a professional in order to determine the best path to protect your family and home.




Written for the owner of http://www.texasrealestateinspections.com/
This article can be reproduced in whole or in part, providing this byline is included along with a followable link to http://www.texasrealestateinspections.com/





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2012年5月21日 星期一

Caring for Orchids: 4 Steps to Repotting Orchids Safely


You may have read that orchids repotting should be standard practice when buying a new plant. I think that is only partially correct.

It is true that orchids bought in stores more often then not will need to be repotted but in my opinion the standard practice should be to always check the medium and the root network health conditions, but the actual repotting should occur only when necessary.

Your initial concern when repotting orchids should always be researching the specie to make sure your orchid has been correctly potted in the first place.

Sometimes, when the 'business' become more important then the orchid, a generic medium may be used instead of an orchids repotting mix specific to that particular specie.

That is OK from a nursery point of view because it creates the favorable conditions needed by the young plant to establish itself but if the perfect conditions are provided, the same orchid would certainly grow much stronger.

We need to keep in mind though that repotting places a good amount of stress on the plant, plus, in a year or two at the most, repotting will become necessary due to the medium nutrients depletion.

Therefore, if the plant is in good health and the medium in good conditions there really is no reason to put your plant through such a strain.

So, once it has become a necessity... which is the best time for orchids repotting?

When new growth is just beginning; typically this occurs in spring.

When the days start to get longer the plant begins its bulk growing phase. As the plant is getting stronger it will be much less stressful to adapt to the new medium.

Sometimes this may happen in late spring/early summer, which is about as late as you want it to be.

Orchids repotting will often improve the state of health of a mature plant since, as part of the process, you would trim out the old decaying roots which allows the plant to focus its energies on the new growths.

Avoid repotting orchids in fall and/or winter. The days are getting shorter and the plant is resting. At this stage your orchid is growing very slowly and it would take a very long time to adapt to the new medium therefore prolonging the stress caused by repotting.

Also, repotting orchids should not occur in the middle of summer. Especially if you live in a geographical area where summer is hot but not humid. The plant will be using all its energy to overcome the heat and repotting at this time could cause too much stress.

Most importantly, do not repot if any blooming activity has begun.

Here are the four basic steps to orchids repotting:

1. Hold the orchid near the roots and carefully lift the entire plant, paying attention not to damage any of the leaves or the still tender new growths.

2. Note the color of the orchid roots.

If you see a couple of white roots, that's fine as long as the majority of the roots are light or dark green in color. Several pure white roots may mean that the plant needed to be watered more often, keep that in mind for the future care.

When the roots are white but have bright green tips, or side growths, it means that the orchid is actively growing new roots. This is the perfect timing for repotting orchids.

Carefully break down the old medium and inspect the entire root network for any signs of rotting. If any of the roots appear to be in decay, remove them using a sterilized nipper.

Usually, if you are not sure, you can stay on the safe side by simply removing any root that is black or brown in color. These roots are in decay or pretty close to it.

Orchids bought in a store should always be checked since roots decay is a fairly common occurrence with store-bought orchids.

3. Sterilize the roots network by spraying or dousing in Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to prevent fungi and other possible infections.

4. Carefully place the orchid in a new, sterilized pot.

Contrary to the usual increase in pot size, as in the case of soil based plants, with orchids, the opposite is not uncommon. Very often you will 'downsize' the pot as you may end up trimming up to 80% of the old roots.

Orchids grow new roots at the base of the plant in an outward fashion, not in the pot like soil plants do, therefore there is no need to leave room for growth in the pot.

Add the orchid medium around the roots of the orchid. If the new mix contains bark or coconut, you should let it soak in water overnight before using it for repotting.

Make sure to leave the base of the plant above the medium surface level - Lightly press the new medium from the outside toward the roots and add medium to fill the space if necessary.

You don't want to pack the medium as tight as you would do with soil; just enough to keep the orchid standing while avoiding leaving big pockets of air which could reduce the medium's moisture retention ability.

After repotting orchids you should position the plant/s in a shady location for a couple of weeks (no direct sunlight). Let it recover for more or less a week before the first watering session; at this stage your plant is dealing with some degree of stress and is not ready cope with over watering.

Important: Some orchids do not require orchid medium. A popular specie we can use as example is the Vanda. Such plants are classified as advanced orchids and special orchid baskets are used by orchid's growers for these types of specimens.

In these cases orchids repotting is very simple. After breaking down the old medium, if any is present, simply place the orchid in the center of the basket and tie down the roots. I like to use some kind of organic string which will break down on its own.

Repotting orchids is not as complicated as it may appear when researching the subject at first.

If your orchid is healthy simply try to match the composition of the existing medium and pay attention to the different way the new medium retains moisture. All you need to do is to adjust your watering session's frequency.

Make sure your plant's roots have time to absorb and consume the moisture before the next watering session.

Of course moist depletion would kill your plant faster than excessive watering but curiously enough a disproportionate greater number of domestic orchids die because of too much moist rather than for lack of it.

In time you will be able to tell if your orchids need water just by looking at them but in the meantime there is a tool you may use if you want a safer way to determine the right rhythm for your watering sessions.

It is normally called moisture meter, there are a few different brands but this one has been designed specifically for orchids.

The one I use is actually more than just a moisture meter. It also measure light intensity, humidity in the air, temperature, medium acidity and alkalinity (detailed info link at the bottom).

Basically a 'horticulturist dream come true' type of tool... it only costs thirty something dollars and frankly, now that I have been using it for about a year, I can't imagine being without it.

The biggest problem with repotting orchids used to be upsetting the watering rhythm and consequential temporary inappropriate watering. This tool takes all the guessing work out of the equation and makes taking care of orchids in general really easy peasy.




Dalia Cruz grew up in the Philippines where Dalia's mother has learned about orchids from Grandma. When they moved to the US they applied their knowledge to caring for orchids indoor. Collectively they have over eighty years of orchid growing experience.

For more great information on orchids repotting and how to maximize your orchids growth visit http://www.OrchidsGrowingBlog.com.





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Log Home Restoration - Is Your New Log Home Stain Looking Old?


If you have recently built or bought a new log home, then you know the joy and excitement of finally stepping back in time to the rustic feel and the slower paced lifestyle that a log home offers. You may have even said, "this is the life"!

However, if you have had your home for a couple of years, you may have noticed the stain is not looking as good as it once did. You may notice on the sunny side of the home premature fading and, or blisters and peeling. You may see black spots and patches showing through the stain that seem to be growing larger. I am often asked if this stain performance is the normal progression and is it to be expected. My answer is "yes under the circumstances." However, the answer should be no if the log home is properly prepared to receive the stain. If any of this sounds familiar, there is a good possibility more is going on with your logs than you might imagine.

When logs are first milled they are left with what is known in the industry as "Mill Glaze" on the surface of the logs. Caused from the fast spinning hot blades in the saw mill, it draws the sap to the surface of the wood and dries forming a thin glaze or film on the logs. Also, when first milled, the logs generally have a high level of moisture either from being freshly cut logs or being left outside in the rain or both.

When a log home is built using these "green" and "mill glazed" logs, you can expect to have finish problems sooner rather than later. Once the logs are erected and the roof dried in, most of the time the builder will have it stained to keep any more dirt from accumulating from the ongoing construction. Good for the builder, bad for the homeowner. When this is done, several things are occurring.

First, with "green" or wet logs, not only will the stain not soak in properly, but the stain will trap water inside the logs, especially if it is a "Film Forming" stain. The film acts as a barrier to keep moisture out. However, it also keeps moisture in. With poor stain penetration, moisture trapped in the wood and the presence of mill glaze, it can be concluded that any amount of stain that may have seeped into the logs, will not stand much of a chance of having a lasting effect or offer much protection.

Another problem with having green and/or mill glazed logs is the real possibility of the presence of mildew and wood fungus. Logs are often stored outdoors. Some companies store them in shelters, some do not. Either way, they attract dust, dirt and if in the southeastern US. most likely mildew. They then are shipped to the jobsite where they sit for at least a few weeks to months before being erected, still attracting dirt and mildew. Now once erected, if the stain is applied, it not only does not soak in properly, but it also seals in any dirt, dust, mildew or anything else that may have floated by. Now, combine green logs with mill glaze, some dirt and mildew and (it is not unusual to see a footprint or two tracked on a few logs) and you have the ideal surface for certain stain and finish failure!

There are two ways to solve these problems.

First, the homeowner will have to make certain that the logs are properly cleaned after the construction and before any stain, sealer or other finish is applied. This may not be as easy as it seems. Dealing with time constraints, banking personnel, inspectors and the GC. can pose their own challenges. However, if you have the time to keep an eye on the project (which often times is impossible) and can stress to all involved that you expect this cleaning procedure to be preformed before any stain is applied, and you stick to your guns, it may just happen.

The second way and also the most expensive as well as the least desirable is the dreaded chemical strip or cob blasting. Depending on the product used on the logs will dictate the removal process. The old stain will have to come off so that the mildew and other contaminants under the stain can be removed. Although the logs may look clean after stripping, we always do a chlorine wash to make sure any mildew spores left deep in the wood cells will be destroyed. Due to the microscopic size of the mildew spores, there is no way of knowing by looking to see if the wood is completely cleaned or not.

Once the stripping process is complete, the next and most important step is allowing the logs proper drying time. This is vital! Let me stress it again. This is VITAL! If the logs are not dry, you have not only wasted your time going through the stripping process, but you are right back where you were when you started.

Logs and wood in general should be as dry as possible. The dryer the wood the more the stain will be absorbed. (Just like a sponge.) Now the question becomes," how do you know when it is dry enough?" There is only one true way...Use a moisture meter. The moisture meter has two probes that are inserted into the wood and records the moisture content. Remember, the dryer, the better. Depending on the location, humidity and weather conditions, the ideal moisture content for applying a sealer should be at least 18% or lower. A 12% reading is about as good as one can expect to get in the southeastern United States. If the sealer is applied within this range, you will get an acceptable absorption rate and proper adhesion resulting in maximum protection and performance.

No stain, sealer or any other finish will hold up if the logs are dirty, have mill glaze or are green and have high moisture content. Proper preparation is paramount. There is no other way to obtain proper absorption and adhesion of any sealer in order to provide a long lasting finish without first having a clean and dry log.

This is one log home restoration project that the homeowner could avoid if they are aware of this simple yet extremely important process. In this case, an ounce of prevention is worth far more than a pound of cure.




Earl D. Johnson is the owner of Taskmasters Wood Maintenance. Living in a log home that my wife and I renovated and built two addition rooms allowed us to deal with every aspect of log home maintenance. Our business is log and cedar home, deck and dock restoration. We enjoy sharing our knowledge to help educate the homeowner on proper maintenance techiques so they will have the ability to make informed decisions when planning for their home maintenance and restoration. http://www.taskmasters3.com





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