When you're buying a home, the home inspection is the best time to get down and dirty into the condition of the property. Sure, you'll get a detailed report from any professional inspector, but the wrong partner merely follows a loose script that includes a visual inspection and not much more.
Don't be afraid to ask for more out of your inspection report; there may be an additional cost involved, but it's worthwhile. From testing for poor ventilation to doing a thorough mold inspection, get familiar with your indoor environment to check home systems, pollutant levels and ultimately, minimize long-term health effects.
Everyone hopes to own a home with a healthy living environment, but indoor air contaminants aren't always visible to the naked eye. To get more insight, we connected with Andy Fox, Filtration and Indoor Air Quality Specialist at 3M who encourages homebuyers to challenge their inspector and requests that they conduct indoor air quality assessments.
Ask About Water Damage and Mold
The presence of mold can be a deal-breaker for many homebuyers; even left behind airborne mold spores can be a nightmare. "Ask for full disclosure about any water damage and mold growth that has occurred in the home, and be sure to carefully inspect the home for these as well," notes Fox.
When in doubt, request mold tests. "Some types of mold are toxic, while some may trigger allergic reactions. Excessive mold contamination may require expensive professional remediation, and any mold growth needs to be dealt with in a timely manner."
Ask for the Radon Testing History
Understanding whether or not you have poor air quality is an important step, and checking for dangerous levels of radon gas (the "silent killer") falls at the top of the watch list. "If you live in an area where radon is prevalent, ask for full disclosure about any previous radon air quality tests that have been performed in the home, and check whether radon-mitigation equipment has been installed. Radon is an invisible, odorless, radioactive gas that is present in the soil and rocks in some areas, and professionally installed mitigation equipment is needed when radon levels exceed safe thresholds."
When in doubt, repeat indoor air quality testing. Radon levels can vary over time, including in homes that are new construction. Be on the lookout, as it's not your ordinary indoor air pollutant.
Long-term exposure can cause respiratory diseases and has other health risks. We also recommend using an indoor air quality monitor (we like Airthings) to alert about potential issues regarding levels of radon, carbon monoxide, and other indoor pollutants.
Check the Effectiveness of Ventilation Systems
"Understand the various sources of forced ventilation, i.e. exhaust fans, in the home, especially in the kitchen," shares Fox. Your inspector should look at each one.
He adds, "Cooking activities in the kitchen are often one of the top sources of indoor pollution. Some stovetop ventilation systems exhaust cooking pollution outdoors, while others just recirculate the air indoors."
Once you move in, take note: "To maximize the ventilation effectiveness, cook on the back burners, not the front ones, as studies have shown that ventilation is much more effective at capturing pollution that is generated from the back of the stovetop."
Test the HVAC's Stamina
"Determine if your new central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can operate the fan continuously on a low, air-circulation mode," recommends Fox. If it seems glitchy, pay closer attention. You want to prove that it can improve the temperature uniformly throughout the home.
Not only is it important to understand that it heats evenly, but when paired with a high-efficiency HVAC filter, you can also trust that it'll continuously clean your air and manage humidity levels throughout the home.
Confirm the HVAC Filter Specs
"Very importantly, figure out how many HVAC filters are needed, where they are located, and what size they are," advises Fox. "To maintain proper HVAC system health and operation, filters typically must be changed at least every three months for 1” thick filters and every 6-12 months for 4-5” thick filters."
Once you know exactly what you need to order, it's easy to grab a few for future use or subscribe for routine deliveries; having filters on hand keeps indoor air quality issues at bay. You can also opt for a smart filter like Filtrete™ Smart Air Filters for a few dollars more. "Simply pair with the Filtrete™ Smart App to keep you updated on when it’s time to change your smart filter based on actual usage. Even if you don’t have a Filtrete Smart Air Filter, you can set a time-based reminder in the Smart App for any Filtrete Air Filter."
