When it comes to fresh air, you may think about going outside in nature. However, the air in your home is just as important and should be fresh to breathe in. With poor indoor air, it can make your home life uncomfortable and create many health problems. It can result in headaches, eye irritation, allergic reactions, and cancer. Here are a few red flags that you may have in a home with poor indoor air.
Mold
Mold is known for growing in wet environments and only needs 24 to 72 hours to sprout on such a surface. However, the surface doesn’t have to actually be soaked in order for mold to thrive. If your home has a humid environment, it is just as likely for mold to grow. When those spores go through the air, they can latch onto your lungs and damage your respiratory system. You may develop major allergic reactions, such as severe asthma attacks, itchy eyes, or increased coughing. An ideal home shouldn’t have more than 50% humidity levels. You can reduce that by buying a dehumidifier and ensuring your HVAC unit is up to date so it can provide good ventilation. If you notice the slimy substance growing on your walls, floors, furniture, or other areas, don’t hesitate to contact a mold-remediating specialist to handle it.
Bad Smells
Are you noticing poor smells in your home? Bad air can exacerbate certain smells. Some chemicals evaporate easily at room temperature. These chemicals may be in cleaners, pesticides, paints, carpets, furniture, and other products. So when the air in your home isn’t filtered or circulating properly, you may begin to smell some of the compounds from the products. Keep products with volatile chemicals in ventilated areas or sealed containers. Otherwise, you may end up experiencing eye irritation, nausea, headaches, and dizziness.
High Humidity
Humid air can make your home feel very stuffy and unbearable, especially in the summer. In addition to being hot, you’ll feel damp due to moisture in the air. As mentioned, humidity can be a breeding ground for mold, as well as mildew and other viruses. Humidity not only affects your health, but it can also affect your furniture and plants. Do you have beautiful wooden furniture? A humid environment can cause wood to rot or develop mold if it’s not properly sealed. While plants are great for helping to clean the air by producing oxygen, they can also become susceptible to too much humidity.
Dirt and Dust
It’s never a good sign when you see too much dirt and dust around your home. Dust can travel miles and easily come in from outside into your home. Dirt and dust can circulate in the air and get into your lungs and your skin. Dirt and dust can also accumulate in your HVAC unit ducts. When that happens, your cooling and heating systems can become less effective and burn more energy. Avoid having dirty, dusty air by doing regular cleaning in your home or hiring a professional service to do so. You should keep your home properly sealed on its windows, doors, and siding to prevent contaminated air from getting inside.
Sluggishness
If you’re energetic but feel sluggish and tired when you’re home for too long, it can be due to poor air. If the air is stale or polluted, it can make it hard for you to function cognitively. Use purifiers, exhaust fans, and HVAC units to avoid fatigue or developing headaches.
The air inside your home is just as important, if not more so, as any other feature. You need air to breathe and can’t live without it. So whether your home has signs of mold, high humidity, excessive dirt, and dust, do what you can to deal with the problem right away. Learn more about indoor air quality red flags and how to handle them by contacting us today.
