As professional HVAC technicians, we at Expert Services- Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical are here to help with all areas of your heating and air system. This includes maintaining good indoor air quality through things like filter replacement and annual inspections, among other areas.
One such other area? Testing for airborne pollutants. And while this is something our pros can help point you in the right direction on, there are actually a few DIY solutions for testing in a few important areas – you can use these if you want to determine whether your home needs additional testing. Here are some areas to consider.
Mold Testing
Mold tests are available at hardware stores everywhere, usually coming complete with discs that provide a breeding ground for mold spores. You simply leave one in the area you’re worried about, then wait a few days. If the disc acquires mold, you can use the appearance and coverage area to determine what type it is and how rampant your problem is.
In addition, signs of mold are often present even without any testing. Mold has a strong, distinctive smell that’s often present early on.
Carbon Monoxide Testing
This is the easiest area to test for, and also the most important. Carbon monoxide, a tasteless and odorless gas, can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening to humans.
Luckily, carbon monoxide detectors are nearly as common as smoke detectors in the home today. Make sure one of these is installed on every floor of your home, and test and replace them often – doing this at the same time as smoke detector maintenance is often an easy way to kill two birds with one stone.
Radon Testing
Radon is a toxic, colorless gas that comes from radium, which is used in certain cancer treatments. It’s unlikely that there’s an actual source of radium in your home, but you could have trace amounts of radon gas present in your soil that could creep through the cracks of your foundation and into the home. If the home hasn’t been tested recently, you can purchase a simple DIY test at a hardware store – this won’t be completely precise, but it will tell you enough to determine whether you need to call in the professionals.
For more on testing for airborne contaminants, or for any of our heating and air or plumbing services, speak to the pros at Expert Services- Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical today.