Your home is a sanctuary for you and your family, but it needs regular maintenance to keep everyone happy and healthy.
Over time, problems may arise that you must address quickly. Here are six essential tips for managing home issues.
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Pollen
Pollen can enter your home throughout the year and exacerbate asthma and allergy symptoms.
Dust, dirt, and pollen that gather on your floors and walls can increase your family’s chances of feeling ill.
The best way to avoid pollen is to keep windows and doors closed when pollen levels are moderate or high.
Have everyone remove their shoes when they enter your home from outside and wash their hands and arms upon reentry.
Regularly changing your air filter can also help filter out pollen in the air.
If you still have trouble with pollen, consider investing in a separate air purification system.
Pests
Homes can easily fall victim to unwanted pests.
Mice, cockroaches and termites are just some critters that may try to share your home.
Not only are they a nuisance, but creatures can damage your home and could spread disease.
You can prevent pests by regularly cleaning your floors and removing anything that could serve as food, water, or shelter.
Store your food away in sealed containers, correct any leaks and mop up any spills that may make your home attractive to bugs and rodents.
Also, remove any small containers or clutter they can use for shelter.
If you do see pests around, you can put out natural repellents.
If it’s a more serious issue, you can hire a pest control company to remove problems and apply preventive treatments around your home.
Mold
While mold is a common problem in homes, you might not realize it’s affecting your family until it gets serious.
Spores grow in dark, damp places like attics and basements and thrive around leaks or in high humidity.
They can spread through the air and cause respiratory problems.
You can avoid mold by keeping humidity levels low, applying sensors to detect leaks and painting walls in vulnerable areas with mold-resistant paint.
Address any leaks immediately and use a dehumidifier to treat damp or musty areas.
If the mold problem is overwhelming or you suspect there is mold but can’t find it, contact a remediation professional for further investigation.
Radon
Radon is an odorless, invisible gas that rises from the earth and into homes.
It only reaches a few feet above surface level but can cause harm to children and pets close to the ground or anyone who spends extensive time in an untreated basement.
Radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
While low radon levels are safe, four or more picocuries per liter increase your cancer risk.
The easiest way to manage radon is to arrange for professional testing.
If your level is too high, installing a mitigation system can keep your home safe for the littlest people and creatures.
Electrical Shorts
Electrical short circuits are a common but scary occurrence.
They happen when an active or “hot” wire comes into contact with a neutral wire, making the current jump around.
Common symptoms of electrical short are dimming or flickering lights, a blown fuse or a buzzing sound coming from your system.
Unless you are a trained electrician, it’s best not to mess with your wiring as it’s too dangerous to risk committing an error.
In the meantime, keep pets and children away from the outlet or switch.
Place tape over the switch in the “off” position and explain to your kids that they are old enough not to touch it until the situation resolves.
Temperature Dysregulation
Is your bedroom hot while your child’s bedroom is cold?
Does your family constantly fiddle with the thermostat?
Temperature dysregulation can make your household uncomfortable and increase your energy bill.
Poor ventilation and cracked or open seals are the top culprits for this issue— correcting them can help everyone stay comfortable.
Weather-stripping is a quick solution for strengthening seals around your doors and windows.
Wall caulking can do the trick if you have small holes or cracks.
When you prevent excess air from entering the home, your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) system doesn’t have to work as hard and more easily regulates the temperature.
Installing more ductwork can be straightforward if a room is around a duct but doesn’t have a vent.
You can strengthen your home’s airflow by regularly changing your HVAC filter and adding boosters to existing vents.
Windows units, fans and heaters can help regulate poorly ventilated rooms.
Consider opening different doors and windows on warm days to create a cross breeze.
Managing Home Issues
Problems are an inevitable part of owning a home.
When you stay ahead of potential problems and resolve major issues quickly, you can keep your home a relaxing place.
