In response to our post “Poor indoor air and mold helps spread flu around the home” on February 12th, the user “BG” submitted the following question, with our answer posted beneath:
We have been making improvements to our home over the past year or so to be more energy efficient, and add to our existing living space. We have replaced our windows, and updated our furnace with an electronic filtering system. Because of my son’s allergies, air quality is an issue. We want to finish our basement for the added space. Is there anything you can suggest to additionally improve indoor air quality?
The movement to go green and conserve has gained momentum and attention to the point where the federal government is offering tax credits to homeowners and businesses that make improvements to their property using green products and reducing their carbon foot print. The idea of going green is not new, but technology and science have heightened awareness in our recent history.
In an effort to reduce our footprint, we are making improvements to our homes such as better roof ventilation, energy efficient windows and doors and higher efficiency HVAC and filtering systems. We have sealed our homes up tight to conserve energy and reduce utility costs, and shrink our footprint. These things are all good, but your home still has to breathe, and short of living in a bubble with some sort of Jules Verneian re-breathing unit, the air you breathe inside has to come from outside…and what is in it?
The use of electronic filters and air purifying systems can improve indoor air quality, but the fact remains that the impurities that exist are airborne until they are filtered and therefore still pose risk, and are you considering all of the sources of these impurities?
The “sleeping giant” in this initiative for better indoor air quality may well be your basement. It has been said, “There are two kinds of basements…those that leak, and those that will leak”. Patching cracks and filling holes is an expected part of homeownership, but few of us consider properly sealing the basement to keep what’s out, out.
Weeping walls, leaking rod holes and standing water from foundation and footing shift allow moisture into the home, which increases humidity and spawns mold (which becomes airborne before being filtered) and greatly reduces indoor air quality (increasing health risks). An additional invisible culprit that affects the air you breathe in your home is radon gas. Radon is a naturally occurring gas created from soil decay. The amount of radon in the soil depends on geographic location, but it exists in all soil. It [Radon] is an odorless, colorless radioactive gas that is carcinogenic.
Properly sealing your basement is the first line of defense against mold, mildew and Radon gas. You can test your home (or have it tested) for radon gas, and there are products available to seal the gas out of your living space. Illinois based manufacturer Emecole, produces and distributes a variety of basement sealing products specifically designed for radon gas mitigation. You should find a qualified, licensed contractor in your area that can test and seal your basement.
If you are considering finishing your basement to gain living space, you should first “pre-finish” it by properly sealing it against moisture and gas infiltration. If you simply want to improve indoor air quality, don’t ignore the basement. The cleaner the air coming in, the fewer the airborne impurities, the less your filters have to work, and the more you can breathe easy.
