Home inspector tips on indoor air quality. The important take-away action is to do something about it. Otherwise it can progress to damage of interior finishes and structures, or even pose a health hazard.
Here on the North Shore and Sunshine Coast we spend a lot of time indoors due to the our long rainy seasons. Here are some tips on keeping healthy inside.
The interior environment of a residence can contain mold, lead, asbestos and volatile organic compounds. These substances may present a health risk.
In particular, mold has been at the forefront of consumer concerns. Look for its causes. Is there a leak through the roof or wall? That’s relatively easy to fix but can be expensive. Or is mold prevalent throughout the house, appearing around window frames or staining wood surface in the crawl space or attic? That may be a case of improving ventilation to exhaust moist air to the exterior.
Mold in the environment is common, but not all mold is harmful. However it takes a laboratory analysis to determine the type of mold present. After that, a qualified specialist needs to be consulted to tell you what to do about it. If there is staining on your finished walls or bathroom tiles, the no-cost option is to clean with an anti-fungal solution and then monitor the situation.
If occupants complain of recurring flu-like symptoms, or staining on finished surfaces return after cleaning, or there is staining of the roof sheathing in the attic, then it may be appropriate to call in an environmental expert for further evaluation. Click here for more information.