With a global pandemic going on, people are being forced to stay inside their homes. Although staying at home has protected us from the threats outside. Possible dangers are lurking in our homes. The worst part about it is that these things can be as risky as COVID-19. But you might not be paying any attention to it at all because you don’t even realize it’s there.
Apologies for making it sound so intimidating. But unlike the COVID-19 virus, the solutions to these problems are way easier and simpler to do. So you don’t have to worry that much. That said, here are several ways your home is making you sick and the measures you can take to solve these problems:
Dust
Let’s start with the problem that is easiest to spot: dust. Dust can be very annoying. Not only is it bothersome. But it also carries dust mites that are harmful to your immune and respiratory system as well. It is one of the most common allergens in the world. It can trigger asthma, worsen allergic rhinitis, and also causes eczema to flare. It is one of the most irritating symptoms of a sick house because it gives you allergies all year. That is if you don’t get rid of it. Luckily, it’s easy to rid your home of dust.
You can get rid of dust by vacuuming your home once a week. The best vacuums to use are those with a HEPA filter. These remove 99.97% of dust and other airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns—so small that the naked eye doesn’t see them. Having a HEPA filter in your HVAC system can also be extremely helpful. Take note that your HVAC system doesn’t get fresh air from the outdoors and release the bad air trapped indoors. It simply recycles the air that’s already there. So, by having a HEPA filter, the air that gets recycled is much cleaner and reduces the spread of dust by a ton.
Water damage or leakages
If you find any water damages in your home, you should get it checked by a professional as soon as possible. The main cause of this is plumbing problems such as leaky pipes, clogged sinks, or faulty heaters, to name a few. Homes that experience flooding will definitely have water damages. If you live in an old apartment building, ceiling leaks may be a common problem too.
Water damages are one of the worst symptoms of a sick house. It can result in cracked or peeling paint. Warped walls, ceilings, and floorboards. And worst of all: it can attract mold. Mold is a serious problem. They can damage your house, your belongings, and especially your health. Molds release spores into the air, causing breathing problems, allergies, Aspergillosis, and a plethora of other health conditions. You’ll want to hire professional mold removal services for this. It’s not a task you should try to DIY.
Too low or too high humidity
Homes with high humidity are great breeding grounds for mold. And as mentioned earlier, we don’t want any mold growth in our homes. Homes with low humidity also cause respiratory issues. Your home has high humidity if the humidity levels are above 60%. At the same time, anything below 40% has low humidity. That means you’ll want your humidity levels to be around 50%. You can keep an eye on the humidity levels in your home by buying a humidity monitor.
To balance out the humidity levels in your home, always remember to have proper ventilation in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room—basically, any room where it can get humid. Install vents in these areas or crack a window while you’re showering, cooking, or doing the laundry. You can also buy a dehumidifier and place it in areas where air doesn’t circulate. Such as behind or inside your closet. Or in places where condensation builds up, such as near the windows.
Tightly sealed homes
Remember: ventilation is important. You don’t want to seal up your homes too tightly. Doing so will risk trapping pollutants and increasing indoor pollution in your homes, which is much worse than outdoor pollution. It’s okay to open up a window from time to time. If you’re too afraid to do so, make sure that you’ve got vents to help release air.
Check your home for these symptoms. Your home might be sick, and it could be making you sick as well. If you want you and your loved ones to be healthy, you have to make sure that your home is healthy as well.
