Older homes tend to have a lot more indoor air quality problems than modern homes. As a result, you may experience a large amount of air pollution that originates from pollutants such as dust, lead, asbestos, and other harmful substances. For this reason, learning how to keep the air in your aged home clean is something you should include in your cleaning repertoire.
Just like figuring out how often you should do your housework, this task might be a grey area for some. However, this is not the case for your trusted Boulder cleaning services. We have every bit of info you need to maintain the freshness of your home. Keep reading!
What are the symptoms of poor air quality?
In order to be absolutely sure that your older home is suffering from poor air quality, you should pay attention to a number of symptoms. These include:
Health issues
Even if you are completely healthy, you can still be susceptible to adverse effects of poor air quality. The most common symptoms are respiratory irritation or breathing difficulties during exercises or outdoor activities. Other immediate effects include exacerbated cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, added stress to your heart and lungs, and damaged respiratory system cells.
In addition, long-term exposure can lead to more severe conditions, such as:
- Accelerated aging of the lungs
- Loss of lung capacity and a decrease in lung function
- The onset of asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and even cancer
- Shortened life span
Dust buildup and humidity issues
Besides the most common causes of dust build-up in your home, poor air quality can also contribute to this issue. In this case, you can expect to see dust piling up, especially around your vents.
Moreover, both low and high humidity can cause numerous issues to occur. However, the latter might be more hazardous, since it is an ideal environment for mold and mildew formation.
Inconsistent air distribution
Another sign of poor air quality is inconsistent air distribution. More specifically, you should be on the lookout for cold and warm spots, as these are typically associated with air quality.
How can I improve the air quality in my older house?
Improving the air quality in an older home is not as straightforward as your other daily and weekly chores. What you need to do first is understand where the pollution comes from. Here are some of the most common contaminants and ways to mitigate their effects:
Lead
The presence of lead in older homes commonly associated with lead paint. Lead poisoning typically occurs when loose paint chips fall off and get ingested or inhaled, so be careful when conducting any construction work not to create even more loose matter. Also, you’ll have to regularly wipe surfaces with a damp cloth and vacuum the carpets to avoid dust build-up.
Another source of lead can be plumbing pipes and fixtures. Here, your best bet is to have the plumbing system replaced. If this is too costly, attaching a special filter and cleaning out the aerator on each faucet might also do the trick. Trust us for efficient and prompt plumbing services.
Asbestos
Asbestos was quite widespread until it was discovered that it’s carcinogenic. To address it safely, get a professional asbestos remediation contractor.
Mold
The older the home, the greater the chance of humidity issues and mold. Another reason why aged houses are more susceptible to mold infestation is the lack of exhaust fans in the bathroom and the kitchen.
If this is a minor problem, you should be able to remove it yourself and then maintain the humidity level below 50% with a dehumidifier. If the situation is not as harmless, hire professional mold remediation.
Second-to-none Boulder cleaning services are eager to step in
Every now and then, cleaning simply proves to be overwhelming, even to the most industrious homeowner. In such moments, you start dreading that your home will become messy beyond repair. But Blue Spruce Maids are here to take that disturbance away. Just book our hard-working, reliable cleaners, and they will make your home as pristine and fresh as the invigorating environment of Chautauqua Park.
Sit back and let the experts handle the work for you.
Book Blue Spruce Maids now!
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