Home Issues That Can Be Harmful to Your Health

3/18/2021

When it comes to protecting your home and protecting your family members, there are a lot of things you need to do. It can be difficult to know where to start. But thinking about specific things you can do to protect your family members’ health at home will represent an important step forward.

Mold

One of the biggest problems that your home can have that can affect your health is mold. Mold is especially likely to develop in areas of your home where it is moist—like bathrooms and even certain areas of your kitchen.

There are a variety of things you can do to prevent mold from growing and spreading. Make sure you have good ventilation in your bathrooms and that your family members actively use those ventilators. Also, make sure that you have good air circulation. This can help ensure that damp air does not rest in the same place for long periods.

Additionally, make sure that you do not have any areas of your home where water is often left sitting. Check areas of your bathroom like the corners around the outside of your bathtub for still water. If you find any problem spots, figure out what’s causing the stagnant water to collect and prevent against it.

Pests Infestations

When it comes to harming your health, pest infestations can make a huge difference. Pests bring with them different problems and diseases. If the pests themselves were ever to bite you or your family members, you could have serious serious problems. Cleaning your home and removing odors will help you prevent rodent issues in the future.

Asbestos

If you live in an older home, your home could have been painted with paint that had harmful materials in it that have since been banned. Of these materials, some types of older paint and even tile or certain types of flooring contain asbestos.

Asbestos is a material composed of small fibers that can become trapped in the lungs if they become airborne. Being careful to test your paint or tile before ripping it out will help you prevent painful repercussions for your health.

Figuring out how to care for your family is difficult enough. Making sure your house stays in great shape too only adds to everything. Starting with the above things will help you get off to a great start.

Read this next: How to Tackle Deep-Cleaning Tasks Around the House

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5 Mistakes New Homeowners Make That Attract Pests

2/29/2016

5 Mistakes New Homeowners Make That Attract Pests

(Family Features) Spring is house-hunting season and with warmer temperatures and increased rain, it is also the season when pesky creatures can invade homes. Even minor flaws in a new home should not be ignored as they can potentially lead to pest damage.

Ron Harrison, Ph.D., entomologist with Orkin, recommends new homeowners avoid making these five mistakes:

Overlooking tiny cracks
Even tiny cracks and crevices in the foundation, doorways and walls where pipes enter the home could be inviting ants, roaches, spiders, rodents and other pests inside.

A rat can squeeze through an opening as small as a quarter and a mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime. Cockroaches, ants and spiders can enter through tiny crevices, too.

Pests are attracted to shelter, food and water. Homeowners should promptly clean up all water and food spills, seal any cracks and crevices around doors, windows and pipes and install weather stripping around and under all doors, including garage doors.

Obtaining second-hand furniture
Buying a home is an expensive investment and it may be tempting to save money with furniture from a thrift shop or garage sale, but bed bugs, spiders and even scorpions have been known to dwell in second-hand upholstered furniture.

Once inside, they can spread from room to room. That’s why it’s important to inspect and quarantine – for several months if possible – all second-hand furniture before bringing it inside your home.

Ignoring insulation
A home’s attic can be a gateway inside for many pests, such as rodents and cockroaches, that nest in insulation. It’s important to inspect insulation for pest activity and damage: insulation that is wet, matted down, chewed or covered with droppings.

New insulation technology incorporates materials specifically designed to help deter household pests.

Ignoring flooring and siding damage
Termites are called “silent destroyers” because they may be secretly hiding and thriving in a home or yard without immediate signs of damage. They cause more than $5 billion in damage every year in the United States, according to the National Pest Management Association.

House foundations, wood framing, furniture and shelves are all possible feeding sites for termites. In spring, termites can be seen swarming around windows or doors. Other signs of termite activity include buckling wood, swollen floors and ceilings and areas that appear to be suffering from slight water damage.

Brick and mortar homes are not termite-proof as they have wooden components, such as framing and flooring, that can host termite infestations. It’s important to work with a licensed professional to provide regular inspections.

Not repairing leaks
Minor leaks may seem to be just that – minor – but leaks or condensation, combined with increasing temperatures in the spring, can create ideal conditions for cockroaches and other pests.

American cockroaches, “camel crickets” and springtails can enter homes through tiny cracks and are attracted to damp areas, both in the attic or crawl space and indoors in the basement, kitchen or bathroom.

Small steps make a big difference. Fix leaking faucets, water pipes and A/C units and eliminate standing water on the roof or in gutters to help prevent an infestation.

For more information to help prevent common household pests, visit Orkin.com.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
Orkin

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Home Issues That Can Be Harmful to Your Health

Mold

Pests Infestations

Asbestos

5 Mistakes New Homeowners Make That Attract Pests

5 Mistakes New Homeowners Make That Attract Pests

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