Hello. Has anyone out there ever had their home air tested for mold, etc.? Since moving into our house, I have had almost asthma like conditions. At first, I thought it was a cold, but it hasn't gone away. Any recommendations?
Thanks to everyone that sent me advice. I did purchase a mold test kit from Ace Hardware. (still too early for results) We had asked about the home having water problems before we purchased (the previous owner said, no) The home inspection noted only one spot where a water spill occurred, but it was where the pressure release for the sprinkler system was located, so it didn't look extensive. I have put a call into her to see if she could come back and do some air quality testing.
As for cleaning, in our previous house I started switching our cleaning products over to more environment friendly items. Right now, I use either Shaklee or just a straight mixture of white vinegar and water (I still need to pick up some essential oils to change the smell a little. I have also used Mrs. Meyers shower cleaner and some of the Method cleaners before we moved in here and never had a problem. The only chemical-laden one that I use infrequently is Windex.
Thankfully, most of the house is either hardwood or tile..........except for the playroom and two of the bedrooms (one happens to be mine, which is also where I have the most problem) The carpet was going to go anyway, but now it might be sooner rather than later.
If anyone thinks I have missed something, PLEASE send along the info.
Has anyone ever had their duct work cleaned?
Thanks again everyone.
hi C.. i moved from south boston to holbrook abou 2 years ago. since i moved i do nothing but sneese and have to do my inhaler almost every day . my doctor gave me some med he said we did not have the trees and all kinds of lowers. in boston . so there for i am sneesing and doing my inhaler] talk to your doctor he might give you somthing to help you.
B. mello
I wonder if the house has old carpets. These can be full of icky stuff. It might be worth changing the carpet or putting down harwood floors if that is the case. Also my basement has mold and we use a dehumidfier. It really helps keep it in check. If we were dilligent about emptying it, I am sure the mold would go away.
Hi C.,
Something no one else mentioned,and that may help, is to place a free standing room size air purifier in your room and use it 24/7. It's somewhat costly- like $500.00, but it works. This was what a doctor recommended to a good friend of mine,who has had severe allergies and sinus problems,and who lives in an old house full of dust and mold. The doctor also recommended a high quality dehumidifier for the basement. My friend says the cost of investing in these 2 machines has paid off in much better health, easier breathing, and a BIG reduction in her symptoms. She used to have to use an inhaler daily,and was constantly being treated for sinus infections, and she hasn't had to use the inhaler for 5 years since getting the air purifier,and had only one sinus infection this past winter. A good source for air purifiers,natural cleaning products,and home testing kits is GAIAM - you can find them on-line at www.gaiam.com, and/or request a catolog be sent to you. To Your Good Health,L. S.
Hi C., Do you still have the name of the Home Inspector who inspected your house while you were in the buying process? I would recommend contacting him to ask for a reputable place to test your home. Did he mention any area in your home that showed signs of having been wet at one time? Once a room or area has been wet, even if it looks dry now, mold/mildew can grow on the back side of the sheetrock, molding, etc. They should all be replaced. I have learned this being married to a contractor and from having water problems in our own home years ago. I have also learned that our homes are now very air-tight to keep up with limiting our energy loss - this is a good thing for that aspect; however it traps all the "off-gases" in our homes; i.e. dangerous off-gas from our carpets (especially new carpet), microwaves, printers, TV's, clothes that have been drycleaned, and anything made from pressed cardboard - to name just a few. Another HUGE contributor to asthma-related issues could be your cleaning products. So many of what most of us have been buying contain extremely dangerous chemicals, and when we use them, these chemicals are released into the air. Once you have cleaned your bathroom, kitchen and wherever, these chemicals are mixing together forming even more dangerous conditions (they can't get out because our homes are so air-tight), and we are all breathing them in. They are also entering our bodies through the pores in our skin. Air fresheners and Fabrese and terrible, terrible, terrible for us!!! Please contact me if you would like to chat or have me tell you more about what I have learned. I also have a DVD I could send you if you wish. E. Taft ###-###-#### or e-mail me ____@____.com
My husbands aunt had her place tested for mold. She went & bought a peetrie dish (not sure if I spelled that right) at CVS or some where like that. Her place tested very high with mold & she had to move to another building. She lives in an apartment they are fairly new & I guess built on wet lands.
So I am not sure if moving to another building was smart but she tested the new apartment too & so far all clear!
Hope that helps!
There are home tests out there that you can buy to test for mold. I am sure that your neighborhood Home Depot or Loews would have a kit like this as well. Get their numbers from information and call. This way you don't have to spend a fortune to check for mold. I just checked online for you for Home Depot and this is what I found for you: Mold Armor - Do-it-Yourself Mold Test Kit - Model FG500 - $9.97. Good luck!
Hi C.!
I would definitely have the home tested. There are molds that are toxic to children and should be cleaned up if you have them in your home. It's also possible that the previous tenants had animals and you are allergic to them. Were there any renovations done to the place before you moved in? The other possibility is outgassing from products used in that.
Hi C. O,
I have never tested my air quality, however I have seen a difference in how and what we use to clean inside our homes. Chances are, if you just moved in...you have done a lot of cleaning....if it is a older home. Many times it is what we bring inside our homes that creates our health issues.
If it is a new home, it could be toxins in building products. If that is the case, I have no advise. In damp or wet areas you can look for mold problems. Usually mold issues are easy to spot.
If it is an older home, you may have exposed yourself and your family to too many harsh chemicals while getting it ready to live in. These toxic cleaning products can remain in the air that you breath for a very long time, as well as be replenished every time you use them again. There are over 400,000 new chemicals being used today, that have never been tested for their effects on humans. They are cheaper to make and more profitable for companies. Every time you see "NEW IMPROVED FORMULA" please ask, what was used to make it "New and Improved"
There are many studies, which have proven that the air inside our homes is most apt to cause allergies, cancer, upper respitory illness, kidney disease, skin issues, etc.
I work with a company that will not use harsh chemicals and the products are affordable, made in the USA, and every ingredient has been tested and proven effective as well as safe....before they are introduced to the public for sale.
There is an affordable, alternative choice out there just give me a call and I can give you the details. ###-###-#### I know, as my daughter had all of the symptoms that you describe....now she doesn't...she can breath while cleaning her home.
I am availabe on member perks as well. My website is www.SuccessBuiltFromHome.com I work from home as I needed an income while being the MOM to our children.
L. Gratton
158 Bowen Rd.
North Bangor, NY 12966
###-###-####
www.SuccessBuiltFromHome.com
