How often should you air your house?

Prevailing wisdom is that at least 5 minutes—and ideally 15 to 20 minutes—a day of ventilation significantly improves indoor air quality. For a strong ventilation, open the front and back door, along with windows on the path in between, to get the baddies out.

auntfannies.com - Why You Should Open Your Windows Once a Day - Aunt Fannie's

Is there a concrete that doesn't need rebar?

Rebar is not necessary for every concrete project. The general rule of thumb is that if you are pouring concrete that is more than 5 inches in...

Last updated Jul 31, 2020

How much can a 2x6 stud hold?

The strength of a 2×6 depends on a variety of factors. In general, though, a 2×6 stud, sheathed and blocked in a wall will support more than...

Last updated Dec 18, 2022

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A breath of fresh air, a cool breeze, the smells of pine, jasmine, roses, and wisteria… all excellent reasons to tear open the shutters and let a bit of the outside move through your home. Many of us instinctively appreciate the way things just feel better when there’s a cleansing draft moving through the house—especially in warmer weather—but thanks to the miracle of modern air conditioning and central heating, many of us find ourselves keeping the windows closed and letting the HVAC system regulate the temperature. But did you know that it’s actually good to open the windows once a day for more than just the sensations and smells of the great outdoors?

We hear about smog and pollution, smoke warnings, and lots of hemming and hawing about outdoor air quality. But did you know there’s such a thing as indoor air quality—known as IAQ in environmental studies circles? Not only is it a real thing, but the Environmental Protection Agency explains that poor air quality inside of your house or office is one of the top five environmental health concerns and can have health major impacts even years after exposure (yikes!). Many things play a role in the quality of your home’s IAQ, from tobacco smoke, mold, and pet dander to harsh chemical cleaning products and air fresheners, even household stoves, heaters, and fireplaces. And what about those chilly winter months? We know you don’t want to lose that precious heat, but most home heating systems don’t bring any fresh air into the house and evidence that suggests that lack of proper ventilation and poor indoor air quality causes sensory irritation, invokes subtle effects on the central and peripheral nervous system, triggers respiratory disease, asthma, and/or allergies, and has other nasty effects. Sobered by that knowledge, you might be inclined to never close the windows again, but a even little bit of fresh air does a world of good. How, then, to keep your IAQ A-OK? Prevailing wisdom is that at least 5 minutes—and ideally 15 to 20 minutes—a day of ventilation significantly improves indoor air quality. For a strong ventilation, open the front and back door, along with windows on the path in between, to get the baddies out. Opening the windows also lets the outdoor microbiome mingle with your indoor one, diversifying the good bacteria in your home to help strengthen your immune system, says Justin Sonnenburg, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University. You can also minimize exposure to many of these risk factors by cleaning the house regularly with safe, nontoxic cleaners like Aunt Fannie’s and avoiding harmful chemical household cleaners—especially for daily use—as well as investing in a HEPA air filter, vacuuming often with a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum, and even keeping a few air-cleaning plants around. So go ahead, shout it from the windows, “I want healthy indoor air quality and I don’t care who knows it!” Actually, maybe don’t shout it, but do open those windows!

What is the cheapest roofing for a shed?

MSR roll roofing In most cases, MSR roll roofing is the cheapest shed roof material you can buy. Roll roofing is also the easiest shed roof to...

Last updated Jun 19, 2022

What do rats hate to walk on?

Peppermint Oil Peppermint Oil – The refreshing scent of peppermint oil for humans means a bitter smell for rats that they can't stand. Just put a...

Last updated Jul 13, 2020

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What kind of foundation do I need for a metal shed?

A gravel pad (crushed stone) with a lumber perimeter is the best shed foundation option in most cases. We recommend gravel shed foundations because they provide a stable base for your shed to rest on and do a great job of draining water away from the bottom of your shed.

siteprep.com - Shed Foundations: The 13 Top Options - Site Prep

Sheds have exploded in popularity over the past several decades. From being simple, DIY outbuildings, sheds have evolved to include workshops, offices, and even living space. What do all these buildings have in common? They all need some type of shed foundation to support them! Thankfully, the number of shed foundation options is beginning to catch up to the variety of sheds. Here are the 13 top shed foundations that you should consider for your outbuilding. However, if you’re not interested in reading the full list, we’ll save you some time and give you our recommendation for the best shed foundation right away.

Do dogs protect you at night?

Some dogs protect you when you sleep, especially if they display alert and protective traits and are bonded to you, but many dogs may fail at...

Last updated May 27, 2021

Does keeping concrete wet make it stronger?

Concrete continues to gain strength after pouring for as long as it retains moisture, but the longer it moist-cures, the slower the rate of...

Last updated May 28, 2019

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Is it cheaper to build with 2x4 or 2x6?

Increased Cost for 2x6 Construction The total difference in cost to build your house with 2x6 exterior construction vs 2x4 is $2,149.90. That...

Last updated Jan 20, 2021

Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

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Can I put a toilet in a garden room?

YES! A toilet can be installed in a garden room, as it does not need to meet building regulations approval due to its separation and size. Building...

Last updated Mar 25, 2021