Seasonal allergies are something we are all used to when spring and summer roll around here in Northern, VA. Especially with everyone staying home and indoors, there is no time like the present to evaluate if the air in your home is healthy for your family. Common side effects of poor or contaminated air quality include excessive coughing, sneezing, or runny nose, stale odors, and mold or mildew growth. Before calling a professional to come evaluate and fix the issues, here are a few things you can do to prepare.

Rule out if your crawl space is the issue

If your crawl space has moisture, mold growth, or has been exposed to other allergens like dirt, rot, or pests, than you might notice bad odors, increased humidity, soft floors, or even more mold upstairs. Symptoms of a wet crawl space can sometimes be mistaken for other household issues, but once it's determined that the crawl space needs help, encapsulation with our CleanSpace system is a fantastic long term solution.

Check to see if you have any leaking windows

This may sound like a no-brainer, but humid air has a knack for seeping in even the smallest cracks. With high pollen levels and extreme humidity, even the smallest leak could mean compromised air quality in your home.

Check any air filters you have in your HVAC unit

Would you put your face up to and breathe into a soggy or moldy or otherwise damaged filter? No way! Well that's exactly what happens if you're AC filters are dirty. Sometimes, they might even be dirty from mold spores traveling through the vents from your crawl space. It also can be from wear and tear, so be sure to get them changed at least once a year.

Keep your humidity levels in check

We all know the struggles of high humidity, both indoors and outside, and most of the time we wish it was drier. However, did you know that we actually need humidity (particularly on our top floors) to maintain healthy air quality in our home? While it's important to keep your basement and crawl space free of moisture, make sure you aren't overdrying your home. Too little humidity can cause air conditions that trigger dry coughs and skin. A small-sized humidifier can help with this, but be sure to check the filters to avoid what we just mentioned!

Check your insulation, especially in your crawl space...

And if it's fiberglass, ditch it! Fiberglass insulation (the yellow and pink 'cotton candy') is fine for areas of the home that are enclosed by walls, but it bodes poorly in crawl spaces where it's exposed directly to the elements. It's super absorbent of both water and dirt - both which lead to mold growth. If you see that your crawl space or basement insulation is discolored, distended, or falling out of the walls/ceilings, it's time to get rid of it for the sake of your health, comfort, and home efficiency.

All of these issues are things that the 3 Pros team can help with, whether it's a direct solution or a trusted referral. If you are having any of these problems, give us a call today.