The best part of all this, however, is that you could fix all sorts of health issues, which may not even be apparent to you, simply because they pertain to concerns within and around your home.”
- Close Those Covert Window Gaps
Feel that subtle breeze by your window? That’s not just wasting money on heating/cooling—it’s literally unraveling the welcome mat for pollen, dust, and unwanted outside pollutants. The old, worn, and cracked weatherstripping and caulk are highways that let allergens march into your home.
Pick up a container of paintable caulk for about $5 and seal off all the leakages for the afternoon. Press your fingers against the windows to find the areas that let the cold in on a windy day. The effects will strike you immediately—not only will you save money on your heating bills, but you won’t notice much dust collecting around the areas either. In addition to all this, you’re preventing the entry of pollen particles that make you go into a sneezing frenzy.
It applies equally to door frames too. If there is some light seeping in while the door is closed, then it is surely entering along with the allergens as well.
2: Before meld grows, fix the leaking faucet.
So if you happen to have a leak underneath your sink cabinet, you will notice that within a short period, such as weeks, the dark environment will turn out to be a paradise for molds because molds happen to be among the most sought-after indoor allergens that cause breathing difficulties due to an asthma attack.
Leaks are usually due to worn washers or O-rings that only cost pennies and take two minutes to correct. You turn off the water, take apart the handle, and replace the rubber pieces that are worn out. There are scores of videos on how-to repair every type of faucet on You Tube.
While you’re at it, search under every sink in your home with a flashlight. Check for water stains, doors, and especially that characteristic fuzzy growth. The earlier you catch water infiltration, the less costly the $3 washer fix versus the $3,000 mold removal job.
3: Replace and clean your HVAC once time a month.
Firstly, a jammed filter not only performs inefficiently—it ends up blowing allergens back into your house instead of removing them. Put it on your calendar: monthly filter checks. Basic filters cost $5-$15, and HEPA filters (which filter 99.97% or better) cost $20-$40, but the difference is huge if you have allergies.
All that is required is that you swap out filters in literally two minutes by removing the used filter, taking note of its size marked on its frame, and then replacing it with a fresh filter with the airflow arrow pointing towards the furnace.
4: Fix the grout and caulking in the bathroom
And that black discoloration around the edges of your shower? You know, it is mold-short for mildew. Be certain everything is dry because trapped under new caulking layers is a mold’s favourite place to start developing. Grout-several miracles have been performed with a grout pen to renew it or with new grout over cleaned, lightly textured grout. Don’t forget to ventilate the area while and after showers, to remove the dampness in the first place, where the offending allergens thrive.
5: Make sure your dryer vent is completely clean.
Apart from posing a possible fire risk, it is also capable, when blocked, of blowing moisture back inside the house.
Unhook your dryer, pull it away from the wall, and clean your dryer vent using a kit available for around $20 at any hardware store. You’ll be appalled at how much lint is accumulated. You may vacuum the space beneath and behind your dryer while you are doing this because it is constantly full of dust bunnies that transport allergies.
A clear vent means that you are doing well and that your dryer is functioning the way it should and drying clothes faster than before. Also, you are not increasing the humidity levels unknowingly.
A poorly vented clothes dryer puts out moisture into the air.
The outcome will aid in dust mite management.
6: Before Water Reaches Your Walls, Fix Roof Leaks
Ceiling stains caused by water are not merely aesthetic problems—everyone is a warning sign pointing directly to the growth of mold.
In the interior, repair all water spots. If the drywall sponge or damp, it will have to be removed and replaced because the mold will grow on the paper backing. This small outlay to repair the leak will spare you the horror of the effects of the hidden or unseen mold on the health of your family members.
7: Upgrade the exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom.
Does your bathroom fan roar like a jet engine but not actually blow much air? Outdated, inefficient exhaust fans don’t do what they’re supposed to do, which is remove the moisture before it becomes trapped and leads to mold growth by forming on surfaces. The same applies to your kitchen range hood—as long as it’s not removing cooking smells and smoke from your home, these problems are just lingering throughout your dwelling.
Changing An Exhaust Fan
It is simpler to change an exhaust fan than you may think. Today’s models are much quieter and more powerful and come with features like easy installation. All you have to do is switch off the circuit, take down the screws holding the old fan and remove the cover and wires, and then install the new exhaust fan.
Ventilation is the first level of protection you have from moisture-related allergens. Use fans in the bathroom while showering and another 20 minutes afterward, and use fans while cooking. The airflow is enough to prevent mold from colonizing an area.
8: Fix areas of the foundation that are cracked around windows
Cracks in your foundation, as well as around windows in the basement, are essentially allergy highways. They allow for water leaks (welcome, mold!), the introduction of airborne allergy elements, and even dust critters. A wet basement is especially troublesome because it can rise throughout your home, degrading the air quality on every floor.
A hairline crack requires either hydraulic cement or polyurethane crack filler. Simply clean out the crack and apply it to a damp crack. A larger crack may require an epoxy injection system.
Closing foundation weaknesses is worth the reward in terms of basement air quality. An indication of a dry foundation is the lack of the smell of mildew in your home. With a foundation in good condition, there is no moisture for dust mites.
9: Replace worn-out thresholds and door sweeps
Take a closer look at your outside doors. If you see light shining through or feel air passing by, you are looking at another source of allergies entering your home. Door sweeps will wear out, and the threshold will settle, and a void will form inviting pollutants and dust.
“New door sweeps can be had for a ten-dollar expense and take only minutes to install with a screwdriver.” Adjustable door sweeps can be lifted using hex screws and a hex wrench by turning the screws to make room on either side of the door or doorframe that’s at a different level than the floor. If the door sweep is worn and in need of replacement, all one needs to do is remove the screws holding the door sweep in place and install a new door sweep
This will minimize the number of allergens your air conditioning and ventilation system needs to filter and prevent the steady entry of external allergens that keeps at-risk individuals in a constant state of allergic response.
Pros:
Cost-Benefit Clarity: Shows how cheap preventive repairs, like the example given of a $3 washer, can pay off big in the future in avoiding costly issues like mold removal at $3,000 by giving a sound fiscal and health-related reason for regular maintenance.
Disadvantages:
May Overwhelm Novices: Although DIY-focused, some tasks may daunt those who do not possess basic handyman skills or tools-for example, repairing foundation cracks and replacing exhaust fans.
Focus on discrete repairs may cause systemic issues – such as whole-house humidity control or lack of ventilation – to go unnoticed, when these might be the root driver of multiple moisture problems.
Simplifies health outcomes: Reducing allergens is great, but the article would lead a person to believe that these repairs cure all health issues, which may be too strong a statement for those with serious allergies or asthma, who, besides environmental control, do need medical management.
Summary:
One thing that shines out as common in all these remedies is the fact that all the remedies deal with leaks and moisture. The two biggest reasons why your house could be suffering from allergy issues are because of moisture and leaks. This alone goes above and beyond maintaining your house properly, as you are establishing an environment suitable for the living occupants of the house.
These are not jobs you need to do at the same time, which is the best thing about doing it yourself. Each weekend, pick something you need to complete. Changes will become apparent, and you will be able to breathe real clean air in your home, and that is a fact that is hard to beat. A hardware store is many times a healthier place than a pharmacy.