We all spend more of our time indoors than outdoors. We can choose what to eat and what to drink, but we can’t be selective about breathing air. The compromised indoor air quality is causing several pulmonary issues. It is important these days to do a home air quality test and keep your home’s environment safe.
Signs of Poor Air Quality in Your Home
The poor air quality in a home can become a cause of different diseases. If there are any of the following indicators in your home, you need to test the indoor air quality of your home:
Poor Ventilation
The homes with poor ventilation are mostly humid, and the air quality in such homes is usually not good. Ventilation is necessary to let fresh air in and keep the environment healthier for the residents.
Older Home
If your home is too old and lacks proper maintenance, there is the possibility that the home has older paint and materials used that are not according to modern construction standards. The air in such houses can be harmful to health.
Health Symptoms
If the residents often face pulmonary problems like coughing, congestion in the respiratory tract, and irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat, it indicates that the air quality in the home is compromised.
What Makes Home Air Quality Poor?
There are several causes that can make the indoor air quality poor:
-
Natural Pollutants
Dust, pollen, mold, microbial growth, and viruses can pollute the indoor air of your home. These pollutants can enter your home with the air or the pet’s fur. Pollutants like mold can grow inside your home in the vent ducts or at any place with higher humidity.
-
Asbestos
Asbestos is found in paints. The newer homes are less likely to have asbestos in them, but the older homes are more likely to have poor air quality due to the presence of asbestos.
-
Radon
Radon can get into your home from the soil. It can cause lung cancer in the people breathing air where radon levels are higher.
-
Pollutants from Home Appliances
Home appliances like wood stoves, water heaters, or other appliances that involve combustion for their functioning affect indoor air quality negatively. In such cases, the upgradation of home appliances is recommended.
-
Artificial Fragrances
Chemical-based air fresheners or deodorizers also play an important role in making the air quality poor. Excessive use of such fragrances can affect the health of people breathing poor air.
-
Pesticides
The use of pesticides to kill mosquitoes and flies is very common. These pesticides can stick to the walls, the floor, or the furniture and make it all unhygienic. Mixing with air the chemicals of these pesticides keeps the air quality poor for a long time.
How Can You Test The Air Quality in Your Home?
To test the air quality in a home, there are different types of tests. The home inspector will inspect each possible factor in testing that can make the air quality poor in your home. In a complete home air quality test, the following steps are to be followed:
-
Indoor Air Monitoring
The very first step is to install an indoor air monitor. This device analyses the air quality in a home. It can detect the traces of air pollutants.
-
Mold Testing
Mold testing helps assess the air quality of a place. The presence of mold spores in the air can cause significant risks to the health of the residents. It is better to go for mold testing if you have buckled up to make the indoor air clean in your home.
-
Radon Test
Radon is a radioactive gas that enters into homes from the oil. It can enter through wall cracks, space in the floor, or water supply. This gas is dangerous and can cause several diseases like cancer. To keep the indoor air safe, it is necessary to be sure that radon levels are not higher in a house. Testing radon levels is also vital to check the indoor air quality.
-
Carbon Monoxide Detection
Carbon monoxide is produced when a fuel-burning appliance malfunctions. This gas is odorous and can be deadly. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed to monitor if it is making the air hazardous for the residents.
-
Volatile Organic Compounds Test
Volatile Organic Compounds are emitted from various household products. Even at room temperature, these compounds can evaporate to mix in the air. Having a constant check on these compounds is also essential to keep the indoor air quality fine.
What Types of Homes Have Poor Air Quality?
The air quality can be compromised at any home. Houses located in humid places, having signs of mold, or located in areas that have high radon levels are more likely to have poor air quality. If your house has poor ventilation, too many appliances, and high humidity, it is advised to get the home air quality tested.
Conclusion
Home air quality is really important for healthy living. That’s why it is necessary to keep the indoor air quality tested frequently. Ignoring air quality can lead to serious health concerns. Top To Bottom Services provides a full range of home inspections. Our team of professionals can detect any pollutant or hazardous element in your home and recommend the required filtration system to improve the quality of air in your home.
