Signs Your Home’s Air Quality Is Bad
While air quality is probably not at the top of the list of items you’re thinking about as a homeowner, it’s definitely something you should take into consideration. In some cases, the air in your home might be causing you more harm than you realize. It’s a very subtle issue, which is why it’s important to be proactive about maximizing the quality of your interior air.
However, if you pay close attention inside your home, you may uncover some signs that your home’s air quality is bad. Here are just a few examples of those signs from our air quality consultants in Buffalo, NY:
- Worsening allergies:
If you’ve been having some more frequent or severe allergy episodes recently, it can be tempting to blame it on changing weather patterns or seasons. However, it could actually be a reaction to some of the contaminants trapped in your ventilation systems and interior air. If you notice an increase of symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, headaches, bloody noses congestion or watery eyes, you should pay close attention to when these symptoms begin and dissipate. If, for example, they appear only while you’re in your home, it’s probably a result of poor household air quality. - New or unusual symptoms:
Some types of contaminants like mold spores, asbestos and hazardous chemicals can have extreme health effects. If you start to experience rashes, nausea, fevers, chills, vomiting, shortness of breath or other unusual symptoms, you should seek medical attention. Here again, consider when the symptoms appear and when they are at their worst. If you notice them primarily in the home, it’s important to have a professional come in and examine your air quality. - Environmental issues:
Consider some of the potential causes for air problems if you believe your symptoms are caused by your air quality. If there’s a construction project happening nearby, that could be a root cause, as construction or manufacturing can result in chemicals or particles being put into the air, then floating through ventilation and ducts. If your neighborhood is very dense, you should also watch your neighbors’ actions. Recently sprayed pesticides, for example, could be the cause of your respiratory issues. - Recent home improvements:
If you’ve recently had some improvements made on your home and are suddenly experiencing health issues, the two could be related. For example, if you recently replaced flooring, did some painting or wood staining or did any other significant updates in your home, the air quality could be suffering, especially if you have an inefficient HVAC system. - Furnace malfunctions:
If your furnace is having problems operating efficiently, there’s a chance this is caused by a dirty filter or other dirty or malfunctioning components. Dirty furnace components and filters are more likely to result in poor interior air quality, so it’s important to make sure you’re regularly servicing your HVAC system.
For more information about maximizing your interior air quality, contact Ahold of Mold Environmental to speak with one of our air quality consultants in Buffalo, NY.
Categorised in: Air Quality
