Your Home Can Make You Sick. Here’s How to Avoid it:

It’s not the air outside that we should be scared of.

Truth is, there are a number of potentially hazardous substances in our air. Most of them are concentrated indoors—at home, school, office, or  in an establishment where we like to hang out for hours.  

image1

The worse part? These air contaminants make us sick. The health problems they bring strike on newborn babies to old adults. The health of those with existing lung diseases, breathing difficulties, or heart conditions might worsen. Even the people living an active and healthy lifestyle is at risk.

With that in mind, we need to make an effort in maintaining a good indoor air quality at home. It’s one of the best ways we can take care of ourselves and our families. Recently, we talked with the Brisbane architects of Superdraft Pty. Ltd. in order to help you achieve better indoor air quality. Here’s what we found out:

Eliminate the harmful materials at home

The first step in improving indoor air quality is by identifying the source of air problems and ending it through smart building product selection and design.

If you’re struggle with moulds at home, you have to lessen the moisture levels indoors. You have to clean spills and repair leaks immediately. Moulds thrive in these damp areas. During renovation, replace the old, defective, and leaky parts with new, mould-resistant construction materials.

image5

In addition, homeowners who want soft floors should purchase carpets or rugs with low VOC emission. Regularly clean your these fabrics to get rid of microbiological pollutants that may harm babies and children. Smooth floors made from tiles, vinyl, or linoleum must be cleaned with products with low VOC levels too.

Keep the space well ventilated

When air moves freely inside the house, pollutants can’t accumulate up to a dangerous level indoors.

image3

This is why ventilation is a must in home design. With proper design and orientation, you can push the stale air out and the fresh air in the house. Using mechanical fans helps move air inside the house as well. Turn on your fans more often than the air conditioners.

Coat and seal problematic materials

The garage is one of the places at home that’s concentrated with pollutant gases. If it’s attached to the livable spaces, consider installing a sealable garage door. You don’t want contaminated air from your garage to circulate further indoors.

image2

In addition, seal your wooden floors and cabinets with water-based or classed coating. Water-based coats and sealants have low levels of VOCs, making it a safer choice for homeowners.

Display indoor plants

Indoor plants can remove harmful compounds from the air by absorbing these gases through their leaves and roots. Display these green creatures for it can keep you healthy and your home beautiful.

One ideal plant to grow indoors is the Bamboo Palm because it can get rid of the formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, xylene, and chloroform in the air.

image4

These are the four basic ways which homeowners can follow to improve their indoor air quality. Use this to maintain a healthy home for you and your family. You may also discuss your indoor air quality issues to an architect, designer, or builder, whom you believe can help you create a better place for your loved ones. ?