Moisture and poor air circulation are the two biggest factors involved in creating the perfect environment for biological pollutants, pollutants which can affect the air quality in your home. Considering the known health effects of these pollutants, it’s important that homeowners do everything within their power to control and eliminate the causes of these irritating hazards.

indoor air quality

Unfortunately, troublesome moisture can be found in many places in your home. It can enter by leaking or seeping into the foundation. It can derive from everyday activities such as showers and cooking.

The condensation on your windows can even cause issues.

Indoor Air Solutions

The best way to protect your home and your family from the pollutants caused by moisture is to eliminate the problem at its source, before it becomes a threat.

The following are the several effective ways to do just that:

  • Protect your foundation. Be sure to fix any leaks or seepage affecting your home’s foundation. If water is getting in, you should consider excavation or landscaping.
  • Fix leaky pipes, drips, or seepages around tubs or sinks.
  • Place a plastic cover over dirt crawlspaces to prevent ground moisture and make sure that the crawl spaces are very well ventilated.
  • Make sure exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms go directly outside, not into your basement or attic. You should vent your clothes dryer outside as well.
  • Turn off appliances that cause moisture on widows and other surfaces.
  • Use dehumidifiers and air cooling units in hot humid climates.
  • Raise the temperature of surfaces where moisture is seen to be condensing.
  • Install insulation and storm windows
  • Open doors between rooms and use fans to carry circulation throughout your home.
  • Open closets. People tend to forget about these as they are rarely used; however, they need to be open, especially in winter to circulate the warm and stop possible condensation.
  • Move furniture from wall corners to promote air and heat circulation behind them.
  • Be diligent in checking carpet on any concrete floors as carpet absorbs moisture and serves a place for pollutants to grow. Also consider using area rugs as they can be washed often.
  • Use a vapor barrier over concrete before laying down carpet (plastic sheeting or sub floor would also work).
  • Make sure moist surfaces such as showers (replacing shower curtains as needed) and kitchen counters are clean and dry.

When you look at this list, it becomes obvious that there are many things that people can do as homeowners to be diligent in reducing moisture and the dangerous environment it can create with regards to indoor air quality and pollutants.

If you have moisture issues in your home, you need to address them immediately, and callB.M.C/Clower for an in-home air quality assessment to find out if your home is at risk.