The “science” of creating a healthy home: How air quality, quality of drinking water, and invisible threats to health impact your daily life. Homeowners are proud of opening their windows on a Saturday morning, wiping down their kitchen counters, and vacuuming the living room. They know their home is tidy, smells clean, looks clean, but there are several other elements of their home that make it a healthy environment that may not be visible. These elements can include air quality within the home, water quality for drinking, and many things about the way homes are maintained or have been maintained, which could be overlooked until it is too late.
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Disregarding The Air You Really Breathe
Just because your home looks clean doesn’t mean the air inside is healthy. Your home can accumulate layers of dust, pet dander, and cooking fumes in areas you normally do not clean, such as behind furniture or in your heating/cooling unit’s filters. As soon as your heating or cooling unit kicks on, those particles will circulate throughout your home.
Eventually, this can cause eye irritation, mild headaches, and/or allergies that appear when you’re indoors and disappear when you step outdoors.
This is a relatively simple way to improve indoor air quality: replace your air filters regularly (every 2-6 months) and open your windows for 15 minutes every few days to let fresh air flow through your home.
Assuming Tap Water Will Always Be Safe
Most people assume that the tap water from their kitchen is always fine. That assumption is often correct; however, the pipes, storage tanks, and appliances in your home can also affect the quality of your drinking water.
For example, if you have an older under-sink pipe, it may impart a metallic flavour to your drinking water. If you have a seldom-used guest bathroom, the water from the tap may appear cloudy due to overnight stagnation in the line.
There are several easy things you can do to minimize these types of small issues. For example, run cold water from the tap for a couple of seconds each morning to remove impurities that may have accumulated overnight. Cleaning out faucet aerators and installing a low-cost water filter can also help to ensure consistent water quality.
Forgetting About Outdoor Water Source
While many people think primarily about drinking water, they often overlook other sources of water around the property. Yard features such as garden hoses, decorative fountains, and swimming pools need to be regularly inspected and serviced.
For example, a swimming pool inspection includes checking the circulation system, balancing chemicals, and inspecting safety features such as drains and covers. Failure to service and maintain these items can result in water contamination or expensive equipment repairs.
Even something as simple as rinsing pool filters and cleaning debris from a pump basket can keep your system operating properly.
Creating a Healthy Home Requires Little More Than Consistent Care of Daily Details
Most of what you need to do to create a healthy home is NOT going to require a major renovation; many improvements to your home’s health are going to be made through the consistent attention to detail of daily maintenance. Changing your air filters regularly, maintaining your plumbing system, scheduling regular inspections, and completing routine repairs will all contribute to creating a better home environment for you and your family.
