Tackle these 5 projects for better home health
A healthy home is a happy home. And just like your body, your house needs maintenance to ensure it’s an environment that promotes wellness. You wouldn’t go years without going to the doctor. So break out the tool belt, because it’s time your house got a checkup from Dr. Fix-It.
1. Clear the air
The best way to control allergens and germs in your house is to keep them from getting in. Scott Mosby, president of Mosby Building Arts in St. Louis, has a term for this—sealing the thermal envelope. “First, get a blower door test with an energy assessment or audit,” Mosby says. These assessments, offered by many utility companies for as little as $50, help identify air gaps in your home. “Homes are filled with holes, and they breathe in and out just like we do,” Mosby says. “The most important thing to do—and the hardest thing to do because it encompasses so many aspects—is to fix air infiltration.”
Once you find the gaps and cracks, you can fill them with caulk or foam. Go to Energy.gov/EnergySaver to see common trouble spots, and learn more about sealing techniques. To prevent formaldehyde buildup, thoroughly clean air conditioners and ovens. Replace aging ones altogether. Rebates and energy-saving technology make it a worthwhile investment. For an easy-on-the-wallet preventive measure, install a carbon-monoxide detector. What you can’t smell may kill you.
2. From the floors up
That plush carpeting is, like, so 1993, not to mention embed- ded with years of sediment—asbestos, chemicals, dust, mildew and mold. Replace it in high-traffic areas with clean, sustainable bamboo. Or lay hardwood throughout the home to reduce the effects of allergies and asthma. Consider replacing your countertops with bamboo, which has become popular because of its eco-friendliness and ease of cleaning. If you repaint a room, choose a low-VOC paint, which reduces the amount of volatile organic compounds released into the air. These can cause headaches, eye irritation, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. Look for a brand with a VOC content of less than 50 grams VOC per liter, including tinting.
3. Those old appliances
Mosby recommends replacing conventional gas appliances like furnaces, boilers and water heaters with sealed combustion units, which are at least 90% efficient. If nothing else, roll up your sleeves and give boilers, dishwashers and tiles a good scrubbing to thwart asbestos exposure.
4. The water in your wold
To keep the water you drink clean, call your local municipality for a water test. If harmful pollutants such as asbestos or radium are found, install a water filtration system. Water, like air, carries plenty of pollutants, so be sure to clean the puri- fier and replace filters at least every two months. Properly vent rooms where water is regularly used, especially the bathroom. “Make sure vent fans are in good working condition, and turned on when showering,” says Dean Sunderland, owner of Sunderland Home Improvement in Clayton, N.C. “The moisture and mold buildup from this daily task can cause damage in no time. The fans should be of good quality, and should be vented to the outside. Check and clean them yearly.”
5. Hidden hazards
Don’t overlook the areas reserved for storage. Check the attic for troublesome spots where mold can invade old insulation, and put a dehumidifier in the basement to keep moisture from destroying drywall. While you’re at it, make sure drain spouts and gutters direct water away from the house.