What Does Indoor Air Quality Testing Mean?

Have you been coughing and sneezing more this season? Have your allergies seemed to kick into high gear?

It might not be the flu, or a case of too much pollen in the air. It might be your indoor air quality instead.

One of the best ways to determine the quality of your inside air is through indoor air quality testing. This screening checks for contaminants that may exist inside your home. It can include things like dust, pet dander, pollen, pollutants, bacteria, mold, or mildew.

The first thing a professional will do is to collect air samples. They will need samples from different parts of your home, including the basement, main living spaces, and bedrooms. They may also take samples with your heating system turned on, as well as while it’s off. Each sample should be labeled appropriately, so you know what part of the house it’s coming from.

After collection, each sample will be properly evaluated. They can determine what is found in the air, as well as which samples exceed acceptable levels.

If these tests show that you have a problem in your home, it’s time to fix the issue and make your home safe again. It may require things as simple as replacing the air filter on your HVAC system, or more complex like fixing leaky ductwork.

If the test finds traces of mold, it can lead to complete remediation services to remove it from your home.

A lot of a home’s indoor air quality problems start with a neglected heating system. When was the last time you had it properly maintained? Does the ventilation system have leaks in the ductwork? When was the last time you had ducts and registered cleaned?

Because the air supply circulates throughout your home every time the furnace turns on, it’s important to ensure it’s in good working condition throughout the cold winter months. When in doubt, call in a professional to ensure your heating system is working the way it’s supposed to.

Once fixed, your home will be retested to determine if your home’s indoor air quality has returned to acceptable levels.

Is your home’s indoor air quality at acceptable levels?