Adequate ventilation and good air distribution are important.
In our cities, the air we breathe is not clean. Coal plants and factories belch out harmful CO2, trucks and cars spew filthy exhaust fumes. Many families in our cities rely on coal and wood fires for heating and cooking. On the outskirts of the city, cows and other farm animals add methane to the mix. Sometimes just looking out your window at all the pollution may be enough to make you stay indoors.
Staying indoors
The degradation ofindoor air quality can be worse than outdoor pollution. Pollutants can build up more in the much smaller closed-up area of your home. They may not be ventilated to the outside.
You may think indoor air pollution does not apply to you. In addition, you don’t live near a highway, farm or industrial plant. You don’t smoke and you don’t use a wood-burning stove. However, the air you breathe may still be polluted.
Some very surprising sources cause indoor air pollution:
Your house itself.
The land on which your house is constructed.
Furthermore, we spend a large portion of our time indoors. Indoor pollution can then becomes a serious concern.
Side effects of air pollution
Some side effects of indoor pollution is maybe a little worse than the common cold. However, pollution can lead to coma, lung cancer and death if you are exposed over a long period. Continue reading “Air Pollution in Your Home”
In our cities, the air we breathe is not clean. Coal plants and factories belch out harmful CO2, trucks and cars spew filthy exhaust fumes. Many families in our cities rely on coal and wood fires for heating and cooking. On the outskirts, cows and other farm animals add methane to the mix. Sometimes just looking out your window at all the pollution may be enough to make you stay indoors. However, indoor air may even be more polluted!
Staying indoors
Pollutants can build up more in the closed much smaller areas of your home than in open areas because they may not be released to the outside. As a result, the degradation of indoor air quality can be worse than outdoor air pollution.
You may think indoor air pollution does not apply to you. Furthermore, you do not live near a highway, farm or industrial plant. You do not smoke and you do not use a wood-burning stove. However, the air you breathe may still be polluted.
Some very surprising sources cause indoor air pollution:
Your house itself.
The land on which your house is constructed.
In addition, most people spend a large portion of their time indoors. Indoor pollution can then become a serious concern.
Side effects of pollution
Some side effects of indoor air pollution may be a little worse than the common cold. But, long-term exposure can lead to coma, lung cancer and death.
The likelihood is that you encounter at least one harmful chemical in your home every day. Even if this is not the case you may not yet be safe, e.g. using spray paint indoors can release high levels of air pollutants in a very short time.
For instance, chemicals leaching out of your carpet will, over time, severely affect the air quality.
Listed below are some most common causes of indoor air pollution:
Cigarette smoke
Cigarette smoke carries many toxins. It remains within contained spaces and can cause many medical problems for humans and pets. If you or someone in your family smokes do it outside the home to avoid pollution of the air inside your home.
Biological contaminants
Biological contaminants include bacteria, mould, mildew, viruses, animal dander, dust mites, cockroaches and pollen. Many of these are carried into the house or grow in damp, warm environments. When you don’t open windows and doors after using showers and baths mould will form on walls and ceilings. Furthermore, prevent condensation of windows and walls in your bedroom by keeping a window open while you sleep.
Combustion
Unvented gas heaters, woodstoves, fireplaces and gas stoves emit carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and small particles. Therefore, be careful when using solid fuels like wood and coal for heating and cooking. Make sure the room or house is well-ventilated.
Household products
Paint, varnishes, hobby products, air fresheners and cleaning products release organic chemicals causing pollution in indoor air. Therefore, be careful with their use and storage.
Pesticides
Furthermore, up to 80% of exposure to pesticides happens indoors. Many homes have pesticides in indoor air at measurable levels. In addition, the potential harm from pollutants is dependent on individual sensitivity. Older people, the young and those with compromised immune systems are more susceptible.
Therefore, ventilation plays an important role in air quality and how these pollutants harm you. If fresh air frequently circulates throughout the area, pesticides won’t accumulate and reach dangerous levels. Open windows and doors when the weather is nice, and especially after a lightning storm when the air is cleaner to get rid of the pollution in the indoor air!
Some of the components inspected in your house and property inspection report
My Comprehensive, Snag (New Home) and Maintenance Inspections include all of the above. Also included is the stand condition, property boundary and courtyard walls, swimming pools, garages, decks and so on on the property. To clarify, an itemised list is provided below.
Your home inspection
Firstly, I am a trained and skilled InterNACHI Certified Home Inspector. Therefore, you will receive a thorough and professional, non-intrusive, visual home inspection and report of the property.
Moreover, I inspect the property you wish me to report on, inside and out, from the boundary walls to the top of the roof. Following that, I produce a detailed comprehensive report of all the components inspected.
Outside the home, I will inspect the property boundary walls, the garden, the building’s walls and roof, the driveway, the deck etc. Moreover, if you request it I will inspect your swimming pool. Then I will move inside to inspect the walls, ceilings, floors, doors, and windows. In addition, I also inspect the heating, air-conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems to ensure that they work as intended. Likewise, bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms also receive a thorough check. Following on, I will check the roof (ceiling) space and basement, if any.
Following
that, I will prepare a detailed home inspection report of all the items
inspected, including photographs. Furthermore, the report will be clear and
easy to read.
Moreover, as The Home Detective, I strive to ensure my house and property inspectionservices and reports are the best. I also value customer service above everything else.
Items inspected in your house and property:
Air Conditioning systems
Boundary walls
Ceilings
Cupboards, kitchen tops and units
Damp in walls, floors and ceilings
Decks (all types)
Electric fencing
Electrical boards & components (DB, plugs, light switches and lights)
External finishes (faced, plastered and timber and steel framed)
Plumbing system & fixtures (baths, basins, showers, sinks, toilets etc)
Problem vegetation and foliage
Roof space (area above the ceiling)
Roof systems (tiled, sheeted, concrete and composite roofs)
Safety aspects
Steps and stairs
Stoves and hobs
Surface drainage
Swimming pools
Ventilation
Walkways and driveways
Waterproofing systems
Windows & doors
Wood-destroying organisms and pests (termites, rodents etc.)
Yard and courtyard walls
and much more!
In addition, I invite you to come along and watch as I inspect your house and property. Furthermore, you are free to ask questions at any time during your home inspection
Finally, for more information on home inspections and your property, please browse the rest of my website.
