In the winter months, indoor air quality tends to get worse. This is because you typically spend more time indoors with all of the windows and doors closed. With all of these exits firmly sealed, dust and other allergens are trapped inside.
To make sure that your indoor air is healthy, you should follow these tips during the winter:
Control Moisture
People tend to worry more about moisture problems during the summer when the air is humid. But it's still possible to have uncontrolled moisture during the winter.
What does this have to do with air quality? Uncontrolled moisture usually leads to mould and mildew growth. These can be unhealthy to breathe in, particularly if you're living with a respiratory condition like asthma.
So, what can you do?
Increase Ventilation:
Turn on exhaust fans whenever you're showering, bathing or cooking. If the fan isn't running well, clean it and replace the filter inside.
Keep Outside Moisture from Seeping Inside:
Caulk windows and get window well covers. Look for signs of leaks along foundation walls or around plumbing fixtures. If you find leaks, you should call up a waterproofing contractor in Toronto to do cracked foundation repair and install vapour barriers so that outside moisture can stay firmly out of your basement. A professional waterproofing company can also inspect plumbing problems and install emergency back-ups like sump pumps and backwater valves to prevent disaster.
Prevent Disasters:
Speaking of preventing disaster - if you really want to keep your basement dry all winter long, you need to insulate your water pipes. Unprotected pipes can freeze and burst when the outdoor temperatures drop below zero. Take a look to see how to insulate your pipes so that you can avoid frozen pipes, leaks and floods.
Tackle Mould and Mildew ASAP:
Of course, you will want to tackle these stains fast. Spray a water and bleach mixture on the affected area and scrub thoroughly. You may need to repeat the process several times to get control of the spread.
If you're not sure whether you have mould and mildew in the house, you need to follow your nose. It's one of the worst household odours that point to problems that you need to fix right away.
Change Your Furnace Filter
Your furnace filter isn't supposed to clean your home's air - an air purifier will do that for you. The furnace filter stops dust and debris from getting to the blower fan and getting redistributed across the house. While the purpose isn't for cleaning the air, a fresh filter can make a big difference with your home's air quality.
Clean
One of the simplest ways to improve your air quality during the winter is to clean your home more often. Vacuum your carpets, rugs and furniture regularly to get control of the constant build-up of dust, pet hair and dander. Don't forget to wash fabrics that can collect filth like curtains and throw pillowcases.
When you're doing a deep clean, consider using DIY natural cleaners instead of store-bought sprays. Since you'll have less ventilation in the winter, you'll want to keep harsh chemicals out of the air.
Your indoor air quality matters. That's why you should follow these tips and stop mould, mildew, dust and other allergens from ruining your winter.
