Did you know that as much as 50 percent of the air in your home comes not from above and outside your home, but from under your home. That’s right. The air trapped in your crawl spaces and foundation can dramatically effect the quality of the air inside your home. How good is the air under your home?

Improving the air quality under your home

That half the air you breathe comes from under your home may sound confusing and frightening, but it doesn’t have to be. Keeping the air quality level good beneath your home simply requires a little maintenance and monitoring. Here’s what you need to do:

• Check for radon. Radon is a naturally-occurring gas that can lead to serious health issues at high levels. This colorless, odorless gas can seep through your foundation, effecting the air quality inside your home. Having your home professionally tested can help identify if you have a radon problem and allow you to take steps to reduce the amount of this gas in your home if necessary.
• Measure the humidity. A little humidity in the air is good. However, too much can lead to mold and mildew and the myriad of health concerns that this aggravates. Best to monitor your house’s humidity levels, especially here in the rainy northwest.
• Keep your foundation well maintained. In addition to keeping an eye on the radon level and humidity, you’ll want to make sure that your foundation is well maintained. Small cracks in the stone or concrete can let moisture into your crawl space or basement. It’s important to walk around the perimeter of your home and inspect the foundation periodically.

Maintaining good air quality with Kaufman’s Home Maintenance

If you need help checking and improving the air quality at the bottom of your home, Kaufman’s Home Maintenance can help. We offer a full range of home repair and handyman services, both on a demand basis and as a subscription service. Our home maintenance packages are designed to meet each homeowner’s specific needs and include such services as cleaning out gutters and downspouts, washing exterior windows, changing furnace filters, cleaning heating ducts and filling cracks in your foundation. To learn more about Kaufman’s Home Maintenance Service, call 503-798-4357 or visit KaufmanHelp.com to schedule an appointment.