October 20, 2014
When it comes to the health and safety of your family, your home is a indeed a contributor. In order to ensure that your family isn’t being negatively affected by poor air quality within your home, it’s essential to not only gain an understanding of the most common culprits but also learn how to deal with them and improve home performance for your space. Many people do not realize that poor indoor air quality can lead to severe health problems:
- Sinus Congestion
- Ashema
- Allergies
- Headaches
- Coughing & Sneezing
- Hypersensitivity
Take the following, for example, each of which can contribute to air quality issues in any home.
Toxic Air from Adjoining Garage
If your home features an adjoining garage, you’re already setting yourself up for potentially poor air quality. More often than not, the garage is where toxic paints, pesticides and chemicals live, and if left open, fumes can no doubt bleed into your living space. Add to this exhaust that can result from running vehicles, and it’s quite clear that problems could occur at any time. Air-sealing a garage that is within the building envelope can help to ensure that toxic air is kept at bay, and it doesn’t have to be a difficult process.
Mold Spores in Damp Basements or Crawl Spaces
Mold spores thrive in damp environments such as basements and crawl spaces, and the health effects of breathing them in is well-established. Leaving your family susceptible can result in a multitude of health problems, many of which attack the lungs. Proper encapsulation and air-sealing can go a long way in terms of eliminating potential problems, as can installing a heat pump hot water heater, which can help to dehumidify an area.
High-VOC Paints and Carpets
Staying away from VOCs (volatile organic compounds) is essential for those who are trying to take their home health in a forward direction. Often, VOCs live in paints and carpets, directly exposing you and your family to poisons that could result in negative health effects. Fortunately, more and more manufacturers of paints, carpets and other materials where VOCs can pop up are marketing low-VOC options, many of which are becoming more affordable as they increase in popularity
Moldy, Dusty Air Ducts
Mold may be most common in basements, but it can also grow alongside dust within your air ducts. When left to progress, mold and dust issues will only get worse, which is why it’s essential to take action as early as possible. The only way to remedy these issues is to have your air ducts cleaned and sealed, which is something that Tom Rostron Company can handle with ease.
There’s no reason to subject your family to the health problems often associated with poor air quality, and Tom Rostron Company can help to ensure that this doesn’t occur. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
