Surviving a home renovation is usually a matter of planning how you are going to work around the intrusive noise, odors, and dust that is going to be part of your daily routine for as long as they last.
However, of these three villains, the odors are the worst because they can signify the presence of toxic fumes that can be very harmful to your health and even cause brain damage.
The dust is also a huge concern as you can inhale it and when these particulates get into your lungs, they can cause blood clots that in turn cause asthma, coughing, and a possible heart attack.
Strange odors can also signify the presence of mildew and mold, which causes respiratory distress and skin reactions for a lot of people.
Thankfully, a few great ideas do exist for helping you navigate your way through this situation so that you are less at risk for breathing in polluted indoor air.
1 – Determine Which Areas Are For Living and Allow No Trespassers
For the least disruption to your daily routines establish firm boundaries with your contractors, making it clear that they are not allowed where you eat, sleep and play.
A good contractor will supply everything that is needed to separate the renovation area from your living area including large tarps and sheets of plastics.
Good contractors will also respect your privacy and do as much as they can to prevent dust and fumes from traveling through your HVAC system by sealing up your vents with tape.
2 – Use Portable Air Cleaners Whenever Possible and Turn Off the HVAC
The minute you turn on your HVAC system during a renovation, you risk stirring up a lot of dust thanks to the gusts from the vents.
Your best course of action is to leave the HVAC off as much as possible and use portable air cleaners in the rooms you are currently living or sleeping in.
Portable air cleaners can also help you keep fine dust from renovating practices from landing on your food in the kitchen.
3 – Always Keep Extra Filters On Hand for Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system will be working overtime some days, trying to remove all of the debris from the air while you are renovating.
This means your filter screens can become caked with grime and dust.
The best thing to do is change these screens every couple of weeks while renovating and then change them twice a year after you are satisfied that your filters have sufficiently cleaned the renovation dust out of the air.
To summarize, Greensburg, PA, residents need to know that staying out of the dusty areas of your home is half the battle when it comes to breathing the best possible air during a home renovation.
Practicing dust-free renovation practices, as well as continually changing your air filters, can also help improve your air quality.
As a bonus, changing your air filters frequently also helps your system to work more efficiently, and the result is that you can save up to fifteen percent on your energy bills.
