5 Warning Signs That You Have Poor Home Air Quality
Posted in Air Quality, on April 14, 2015
Could the mold and recurrent health problems be a sign of poor home air quality?
The home is supposed to be a place where you can feel safe and relax. However, indoor air pollution is a real concern that could affect your health and comfort. Air quality affects your health and that of your family. Nevertheless, it's not always easy to detect whether your home's air quality is poor. When the air in your home's clean, your family feels and breathes better. The problem of air quality is increasingly becoming an important consideration not just in public settings but in the home as well. If you're wondering whether your home's experiencing air quality issues, check out this guide.
Health Problems
The health issues linked to air quality issues differ widely, but it's possible most of the individuals in your house will experience some of these signs, which include headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath. You may also experience cold-like symptoms for instance sinus congestion, a scratchy throat, sneezing, and coughing. Some people may even experience dizziness and nausea. People with existing respiratory issues or allergies will perhaps find the symptoms more marked. Indoor air pollution could also cause neurological disorders. If you or your loved ones feel sick more frequently than you should, air pollution could be the cause.
Mold Growth
Mold flourishes in dark, moist settings. If you have excess humidity, there's a high likelihood that mold will grow on your walls, floors, and furniture. Mold is typically easy to identify; if your home is showing signs of mold infestation, you should be able to spot a musty smell and green or black spots on your surfaces. Unhealthy indoor air is at times due to excess humidity in the air. While it's common for mold growth to occur around sinks, fixtures, tubs, and other areas that are frequently moist, humid air will produce mold growth in less common spots.
Unpleasant Smell
It's easy to get used to your house's smell. However, if there's an issue with air quality indoors, you'll start noticing an unpleasant smell when you return to your home. The odor will be more apparent after being away all day or over the weekend. If something's amiss with your air quality, you'll probably be able to smell it. Mold has a unique musty smell and potentially dangerous chemicals may have a harsh scent. To establish whether your house has a strange smell, consider stepping out for a minute before going back in. Odors can be excellent indicators of very little ventilation and may expose how air travels through your home. If odors continue for hours it could be that the air carrying the unpleasant smell doesn't have a rapid, controlled way out of your house.
Dust
Dust can be another sign of poor air quality. Furthermore, pet pander, pollen, and other particulates can cause irritation if your respiratory systems are sensitive. If you have excess quantities of dust penetrating your house, then it's likely you have an air pollution problem that you must address. While the air filter works to protect you against these pollutants, its main job is protecting your cooling and heating equipment. Nevertheless, you can improve your air filter's function by choosing the appropriate model.
Humidity
Home humidity also indicates air quality issues. Recommended indoor humidity is between 30 and 50% throughout the year. Houses in colder climates may record lower levels of humidity during winter while those in warm climates may experience excess levels throughout the summer. It's important to be aware of extremes in whichever direction because health and comfort implications can arise when humidity levels are outside the recommended ranges. Consider using a hygrometer to observe these moisture levels in the home, so that you're aware throughout the year. Poor air quality can arise from various factors including insufficient ventilation or external contamination sources. Fortunately, experts can examine your house's air quality level and the sources of poor air quality. If you require assistance with air quality issues, please contact us to discuss how we can help: (416) 414-5690.