Could Your Own Home Be A Health Risk?
Whether you’re been feeling under the weather lately and quite explain it, or you’ve moved into a new home and you just want to be certain, it’s always a good idea to give your home a health check for some of the most common causes of sick house syndrome. Here, we’re going to look at the aspects of the home that you should be checking, as well as the threats that you should be aware of.
Air quality is worth caring about
The air quality of your home isn’t just about how good it feels to breathe in the fresh, cool air. It’s also about the pollutants and contaminants that might be in there without you knowing it. The ventilation and air conditioning appliances can play a major role in this. Bacteria and mold can breed rapidly in places like vents if they have traces of water left in there, even to the point of causing legionnaire disease. Pests can also be a major air quality hazard, leaving droppings and dander around the place that can cause or exacerbate respiratory illnesses such as asthma. Check for the sources of poor air quality and ensure that you get them taken care of.
Out-of-date and dangerous building materials
The way that we build homes and appliances has changed a lot over the decades, and these changes often come in direct response to the discovery of serious health risks with the way things have been done before. Perhaps the most famous example is lead paint, which was used in a lot of homes in the past before it was discovered to be toxic. The most common, even today, however, is asbestos, and it’s worth getting in touch with teams like G3 Environmental if you move into an old home and discover the presence of asbestos. Radon is another hazard, which you can buy a testing kit for to make sure you’re not being exposed to in the home.
Leaks, mold, and water
Moisture and water running free throughout the home is always a disaster. It might be in the form of a leak that is spreading damp throughout the building’s materials, rotting it away, and threatening to cause major damage. High humidity can also cause the spread of mold, which can pose a serious health risk, as well, causing a risk of lung infections, asthma, and other health problems. If you spot mold or dampness, you need to act on it as quickly as possible. Find the source and fix it, whether it means using a dehumidifier like those from home or finding a leak and using a water damage remediation company to get all the wet materials out of the home.
Aside from identifying and getting rid of the kind of threats mentioned above where possible, there are a lot of other ways you can enhance your home for well-being. Your home plays such a pivotal role in the health and safety of you and your family, you should never skip doing your due diligence to ensure that it’s meeting your needs.