Tips and Tricks to Survive Your Next Home Remodel and Improve Air Quality at the Same Time
When it comes to planning your life around an upcoming renovation, it is key to make solid plans detailing how you are going to live a normal life while all of the fuss, mess, and interruption are going on.
However, aside from figuring out how you are going to deal with the annoyance and inconvenience of a big renovation, you also need to make a solid plan about how you will manage the air quality in your home.
This is crucial for East Lansing, MI residents because the sorts of toxins and chemicals exuded during a renovation can cause drastic, chronic health problems such as asthma, cardiovascular problems, cognitive issues, anxiety, and possibly even brain damage.
Tip 1 - Segregate Living Areas From Renovation Areas
“Strong fences make good neighbors”, as the saying goes and this is the message you need to get across to workers who should not have access to your living areas while the renovations are going on.
Inform workers that they are not to track dust into areas where you bathe, eat or sleep and insist on your privacy. Ask that they use dust-lowering methods, such as misting water on broken drywall, to minimize emissions into the air.
Tip 2 - Shut Off HVAC Systems to Control Dust and Fumes
HVAC systems have a way of wafting fumes, dust and microbes throughout your home through ductwork and vents, even when it is turned off.
To avoid having particulates swirling through your living area, keep your HVAC, air conditioner and all fans off so that the dust from the renovation efforts has a chance to settle. Instead, open a window to allow fumes to dissipate and let fresh air into your living quarters.
Tip 3 – Store All Toxic Substances Properly After Use
One source of toxic fumes in the home is jars and cans of solvents, paints, paint thinners and varnishes that are not closed properly or tightly.
Make sure that your contractors take proper care of these items after use so that they do not emit odors and fumes into the air. The fumes from these types of products are very bad for your health and include chemicals such as xylene, benzene, and formaldehyde.
Improve Your Air Quality with a New Filter
If you really want to make a difference in your air quality after your renovation then consider having your HVAC system upgraded so that it works more efficiently.
Putting your HVAC system on a regular schedule of inspection by a heating and air conditioning professional can also keep your air breathable because then your air filters are sure to be changed properly at least twice a year.
You can also learn how to install these air filters by yourself, which can save you a service charge and also save you money on your heating bill by the end of the year. This is because a heating system that is well maintained does not have to be on all the time to assure you of clean air.
