When a frozen pipe burst in Anil’s Mount Airy home, it created a torrential downpour of freezing water. The house looked like a disaster zone. After surveying the extent of the damage, Anil knew it was time to seek professional help.

A pipe bursting in your home causes damage and could lead to a host of hidden health hazards. If untreated, dampness creates the perfect environment for mold to grow. Excessive moisture also promotes the growth of dust mites, cockroaches, bacteria, and viruses, which can impact health. For people with asthma or allergies, exposure to mold or other indoor contaminants can lead to asthma attacks, respiratory problems, or other issues.

Even if you’ve never had a flood, unseen hazards in your home may impact your health and well-being. Poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to various health conditions. EPA studies indicate that the levels of many air pollutants may be two to five times higher in indoor air than in outdoor air. Breathing in VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) like wood smoke, building materials, cleaning products, and tobacco smoke can irritate your eyes and nose, damage internal organs, and even cause cancer.

So, what can you do about it? We spoke with Brian Preuss of Green Home Solutions in Mount Airy to
learn about the causes of poor indoor air quality and how to create a healthier, safer home.

What are some signs that your home might have an air quality problem?

“Homeowners should look for signs of visible mold, specifically in their basement or attic. Poor ventilation and moisture create a breeding ground for mold and bacteria,” he says. Even if your basement looks dry, water can travel through your home, creating mold on your roof boards.

Brian recommends keeping your relative humidity below 48% year-round and running a dehumidifier. “Every home in the mid-Atlantic region requires a dehumidifier in its basement,” he says.

Here are other signs to look out for:

●     High levels of carbon dioxide

●     Visible mold

●     Poorly vented range-hoods

●     Strong or musty odors

●     Old homes with dirt floors

●     Feeling sick or unwell when you return home

 

Helping Customers Feel at Home Again

In the case of the burst pipe, Green Home Solutions was able to implement a remediation plan that was effective and efficient. “They helped us solve a life-changing event,” Anil wrote in a Google review.

Brian's work at Green Home Solutions is about helping customers feel at home again. He is proud to help customers with illnesses, syndromes, and poor quality of life. “When a customer says, ‘I can't stand my house anymore, I’m sick all the time,’ that’s a big problem.”

“I'm looking forward to them being able to return to their home and not be sick anymore. We get a lot of joy out of helping them to feel better. It means a lot to us.”

Lead photo: Green Home Solutions Owner Brian Preuss conducts an indoor air quality inspection for homeowner.

Second photo: Brian and a lead indoor quality technician prepare for a remediation job.