Carpet is a magnet for allergens like dust mites, pet dander, mold spores and other potentially aggravating proteins. Allergens are antigens, typically proteins, that provoke allergic reactions like coughing and sneezing in people with hypersensitive immune systems

Even if they are vacuumed often, there are areas such as near the walls, under furniture etc that do not always get cleaned. The standard household vacuums are limited to how and what they clean and unless and all the furniture are removed and the carpets washed, then there will be always particles in the fibers of the carpets.

What can I do to reduce the potential of allergic reactions?

The best approach to reduce allergic reactions is to clean the carpets often and thoroughly, including the hard-to-reach areas. I also recommend having the carpets washed once a year. But this should be done by a professional carpet cleaning company.

The HVAC system of the house also has to be used effectively by cleaning the ducts regularly and changing the filter of the furnace every 3 months or as recommended by the filter manufacturer. All these allergens and particles travel in the house through the HVAC distribution system therefore to keep the carpets cleaner, the indoor air has to be kept clean also.

How can I eliminate the potential of my carpets collecting allergens and particles?

If eliminating the collection of allergens and particles is the target, then I would recommend removing the carpets and installing other materials such as hardwood or laminate flooring.

FAQs

I seem to sneeze a lot when I am in my house. Is that related to the carpets?

Yes, it is very likely that the carpets have accumulated allergens. Carpets will not be the only source though. Other factors have to be considered. A certified Indoor Air Consultant can help you determine the sources of allergens.

What vacuum is best for carpets?

There are many different types of vacuums with different attachments that can be used for different purposes. Ultimately, the more powerful a vacuum is the best the results will be.

Could I rent a carpet washer from the hardware store and wash my carpets myself.

You could, but we always recommend hiring professionals that have experience for this type of wrok.

Should I have an allergen test done if I have carpets in my house?

An allergen test is highly recommended because it will reveal what particles are trapped in your carpet. The solution for dust mites is much different than pet dander or mold spores. The allergen test will give you the direction you need to make an informed decision.

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What is the Healthy Home Audit?

Our Healthy Home Audit was designed to help homeowners identify potential environmental health risks and aid you in correcting them. We want to ensure that all the systems in your home are optimized for safety and good health.

Not Feeling Well? Don’t Know Why?

If you are currently experiencing frequent colds or congestion, headaches, rundown, sneezing, trouble sleeping or unexplained ailments, then it is highly recommended you consider a Healthy Home Audit. Let us tell you what is keeping your home from being a healthy place to live.

Our inspectors are trained in building sciences to help you evaluate your home. We use systems and tools to identify HVAC air filtration systems issues, concerns for heat loss or air leakage, measure harmful contaminants in the home such as VOCs, Formaldehyde, Mold Spores, etc.

What Causes a Home to Be at Risk?

If your home has air or moisture leaks they can contribute to an unhealthy environment. A defect or lack or maintenance with your heating and cooling system could be the cause of poor air quality and/or indoor pollutants, moisture or condensation issues. Most people this day and age will spend most of the time at home. What they may not know is that the home contains hazardous building materials, off-gases, air pollutants, mold, VOC’s, Formaldehydes, lead or other harmful products.

Houses built at the turn of the century to the early 80’s may have asbestos materials in hidden areas, lead service line and lead drinking water, vermiculite insulation in the attic, visible mold or environments conducive of mold growth. Asbestos fibers can easily be disrupted when renovations begin where they become a risk to inhale, making your new home unsafe!

What Can You Do?

Let the professionals help you. We will not only evaluate your home but test it for mold. Inspection Services Group works closely with an accredited laboratory to provide you with a detailed breakdown of mold spore concentrations at your home with recommendations for improvements. During the process we will also check the VOC levels, PM2.5 & PM10 (Airborne Particulate & Pollution Levels).

Depending on what the conditions are, at the time of the Healthy Home Audit, the inspector may also recommend radon testing, allergen testing or asbestos sampling. Both are upgrade options for our clients and can be done onsite.

Some of the biggest contributors to poor air quality are dust and dander, pollen, mold & Mildew, Bacteria & Viruses. The air that you breathe inside your home can have a direct effect to your family’s health. Our goal is to devise a solution so you have a Healthy Home!

FAQ

Are old or dirty carpets a health risk?

Yes, they can contain harmful allergens which contribute to an intense immune systems response to create antibodies to attack the allergen.

Where could I have Asbestos?

Asbestos was widely used in many building products and can be found as insulation, adhesives, floor times, etc. Common places are walls and ceiling plasters, floor tiles and attic insulation.

How do I know what Mold I have?

You won’t know exactly what molds you have in your home until you send samples to the lab. Once, processed, you will receive a breakdown of what the spore concentrations are and how they may affect you. Based on this you will receive recommendations for improvements.
What other concerns should I worry about?

This varies depending on when the home was built and where it is located. Some areas have higher concerns for Radon, Renovations can create higher VOC levels depending on products and how the off-gas, Carpets and Smokers will contribute to higher Formaldehydes levels.

A clean and safe home will promote:

• Better sleeps
• More Energy
• You will be more productive
• Better quality of living

The post Why Should You Consider a Healthy Home Audit? appeared first on Inspection Services Group.

Allergies are a very common thing with many people of all ages but most are attributed to food and nature.

What about the environment in our home? Multiple allergens can be found inside a home. These include mould, dust mites, pet dandruff, cockroaches, mice, etc. All these can play a huge role and can affect people in different ways. These allergies can trigger upper respiratory system reactions like asthma, sinus issues, skin irritations, etc.

The first thing a person should do is of course see their family doctor as the symptoms have to be treated. Like in every other situation, the law of cause and effect applies here also. What is the cause of the allergies?

I have been in many homes where a member of the family is complaining about allergic reactions and the first area, I will go to is the utility room of the house. Most Canadian homes have a forced-air heating system, which includes the furnace component and the distribution component.

Cleaning of ducts and registers

The distribution component is the ducts and the registers. That is how heated air circulates in all areas of the home. If the ducts of a house have not been cleaned in a while, then dust accumulates and sticks on the walls. This is what the inside of a distribution duct looked like in one of the homes I visited.

Replacing the furnace Filter

The furnace filter condition is another indication of an unhealthy home environment. Furnace filters have to be replaced every 3 months. Some larger type filters have a replacement recommendation of 6 months. Clogged filters not only leave the air in your home dirty but will also decrease the life expectancy of your furnace. A dirty furnace will not work properly.

Old-style electronic filters and reusable filters are, in my opinion, not adequate because they do not stop small particles. I always recommend disposable good quality filters to be used and to be replaced every three months.

Maintaining the humidifier

Another component of the HVAC system that typically goes unchecked, is the humidifier. The humidifier offers the perfect environment for mould spores to thrive. A deteriorated humidifier pad will trap dust and mould spores and the water flowing through will provide the moisture needed for the mould spores to thrive.

The humidifier pad should be replaced typically every 12 to 18 months depending on the quality of the water in your area. 

Maintenance of the HRV or ARV

The Heat Recovery Ventilator or Air Recovery Ventilator is also part of the HVAC systems and is required in new construction since 2019. Many homes built before 2019 also have them installed as part of the energy conservation programs from the government. This equipment replenishes the air in your home by bringing fresh air from outside in the house and bringing stale air out. In that process though, dust, insects and mould spores will also be introduced in the indoor air, therefore a good quality high MERV filter should be used and the equipment and the internal filters cleaned every 6 months. 

What is a healthy home audit?

Air quality and environmental hazards are something that many of us take for granted.  If you don’t know what to look for then you may not know what to fix.  Our Healthy Home Audit was designed to help homeowners identify potential environmental health risks and aid you in correcting them.  We want to ensure that all the systems in your home are optimized for safety and good health.  Learn More

FAQ’s

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