5 Signs Your Indoor Air Quality Needs Improvement

People spend so much time thinking of water consumption, exercise, or the next food they’ll cook or eat. But how often do they think about their house’s indoor air quality? With many people spending 90% of their time inside their homes, air quality plays a much greater role in the health puzzle than most of us may have thought.

So if you’re curious whether your house’s indoor air quality is bad, we’ve prepared a list of factors you should look out for to assess whether your home is still healthy for your household or might need improvement.

Poor Air Quality Symptoms to Watch Out for

Poor indoor air quality might not be visible to the eyes, but this hazard can impact your health and comfort more than you think. While indoor air quality cannot be seen, there are surefire signs that can indicate its condition. We’ve compiled the five major indicators of bad indoor air quality you should look out for so you can start doing assessments and adjustments in your home.

1. Allergic reactions and sneezing

Most people often misjudge sneezing and hyperactive allergies and only associate them with seasonal conditions. The symptoms usually include nose and throat inflammation and watery eyes. If the hay season fever ended and you’re still showing signs of allergies, it might not be the weather causing them.

Check if you have unresolved water damage and leakages, and have water mitigation experts fix them immediately. Water damage can increase a home’s humidity levels, causing air pollutants like mold spores and dust mites to rise and trigger allergies. Your home might even suffer structural issues the longer you delay fixing water damage.

2. Unexplained skin rashes

Skin rashes and inflammation are usually linked to indoor air contaminants. The symptoms are often dry, cracked mucous membranes, and irritated skin. If you can’t find the exact cause for this symptom, your air quality might be the invisible culprit.

3. Unpleasant odor

Stagnant air usually leads to unpleasant odors, which stem from several sources. Aside from dust and chemical pollutants, pollen or molds are sometimes the culprits. So if you think mold infestations are causing undesirable odors in your house, contact disaster restoration professionals to attend to the situation.

If you notice ordinary smells lingering longer than they should, this is a sign of poor air circulation. Check your ventilation and fix them immediately if you find any possible problems. Most smells won’t last longer than a few minutes, as normal ventilation can whisk them off.

4. Mold growth

Mold growth is one of the biggest warning signs of poor indoor air quality. Not only does it look gross, but it can also affect your family’s health, triggering allergies and lung conditions. Mold spreads and doesn’t disappear on its own. So if you see mold growing in many parts of your house, it’s best to delegate the removal process to biohazard cleanup companies to prevent health risks.

5. Difficulty sleeping

Contaminated indoor air quality can make sleep challenging to achieve. High levels of indoor air pollution can impede good sleep efficiency and even cause impaired senses. So if you’re experiencing sleepless nights despite trying any sleeping positions, it’s about time to pay attention to your house’s indoor air quality.