6 Obvious Signs Your Home Is an Indoor Air Quality Disaster

Most people spend at least a little time each day cleaning and freshening up their living spaces so they look presentable. But wiping counters, dusting, vacuuming, and mopping only scratch the surface when it comes to getting your home truly clean.

How many people take the time to worry about all the hidden dust, dirt, and other debris that can make a home far dirtier than any of us realize? And how many people realize that all that hidden stuff can negatively affect their indoor air quality and consequently, their health?

Curious whether your home might be an indoor air quality disaster? The experts at Dust Doctors share a few telltale signs to pay attention to below.

1. You Experience Unexplained Health Issues

Unexplained allergy symptoms, respiratory problems, and other health issues are perhaps the most telling signs that your home may have poor indoor air quality. If you’ve noticed unusual symptoms crop up out of the blue, chances are your indoor air could use some help.

The following common symptoms may indicate the need for duct cleaning or an advanced filtration system in your home:

●        Unexplained sneezing, runny nose, or nasal congestion

●        Frequent, unexplained headaches

●        Wheezing, coughing or trouble breathing

●        Unexplained, asthma-like symptoms

●        Brain fog, difficulty concentrating

Of course, you should always consult with your physician any time you experience unexplained respiratory symptoms, allergies, or other health issues.

But if your doctor gives you a clean bill of health, it’s probably time to consider having your ductwork cleaned.

2. Your Vents Are Super Dusty

If you can see a substantial amount of dust clinging to the vents in your home, chances are your indoor air quality isn’t where it should be for good health. When you allow indoor dust to build to the point that you can see it on your vents, that signifies serious dust and debris buildup inside your ductwork.

And when your ducts are full of gunk, your HVAC system continually circulates small particles into the air you breathe. If you can see dust collecting anywhere in your home, especially if you have items that are caked in the stuff, it’s well past time to schedule duct cleaning.

And while you’re at it, consider using an air filtration system, which will further improve your indoor air quality and help you maintain a cleaner house. 

3. You Can See Mold or Mildew Growing

If you can see mold and mildew anywhere in your house, that means you likely have an indoor moisture problem caused by a plumbing leak, poor construction, or something else. Even if you can’t readily see mold but you can smell it, you may have a serious problem on your hands.

Mold spores proliferate quickly and can be harmful to your health when you breathe them in. And since those spores continually float in the air around areas of mold growth, chances are you’re breathing them in daily.

If you notice mold in your house, clean and sanitize the area promptly. It’s also a good idea to perform a mold test to determine the extent of the problem.

If you can see mold around your ductwork, schedule duct cleaning right away. The service is designed to remove all debris from inside your duct system, including mold, to prevent your HVAC system from circulating it throughout your house.

4. You Smell Stale or Unpleasant Odors

No one's home ever constantly smells optimal, but if you are finding unpleasant odors throughout your home, this is also another sign of bad indoor air quality.

Smells can accumulate from multiple different sources, including:

●        Pet dander

●        Mold and mildew

●        New carpeting

●        Chemicals like pesticides

●        Dirty ducts

●        Poor air circulation

●        Cleaning products

If you suspect odors but are unsure, one tip is to step outside for a few minutes, then come back in.

If you notice an unpleasant, stale, or musky odor, this can be an indicator that your air quality may be suffering and you need to schedule a professional inspection.

5. Sleep Issues Are Becoming More Prevalent

The air quality of your home will also affect the quality of sleep you receive. Sudden temperature changes and air pollutants can increase the risk for asthmatic or respiratory issues during sleep, so if your home has low air quality, this can directly affect you or your family's sleep cycles.

Consider adding improved filtration or ventilation inside the bedrooms or reaching out to a professional for an air quality assessment to help improve your sleeping space.

6. The Temperature Feels Inconsistent From Room to Room

Even if you are not experiencing any side effects for your health, another indicator that there may be an issue is inconsistency in how the air is distributed throughout the home. This could include having spots in the house that are colder or hotter than others.

Inconsistent temperatures from room to room signal there is an issue within the HVAC system that could contribute to lower air quality in the home.

Poor Indoor Air Quality in the Twin Cities? Call Dust Doctors

If you suspect the air inside your home is unclean, get in touch with our team at Dust Doctors right away. We specialize in duct cleaning and a variety of other indoor air quality improvement services for residents throughout the entire Twin Cities metro.

To learn more or request a free service quote, give us a call today at 651-319-9777 or send us a message.