Ahh good old home. There’s nothing quite like coming home after a hard day, kicking off your shoes, and breathing in the familiar scent of comfort. Your home is a safe space for you and your family, and the last thing you’d expect from it is to be the reason you all keep getting sick. Illnesses caused by factors around the home is way more common than you might think! The good news here is that it’s not difficult to rectify, so let’s dive in and take a look at what could be making you unwell around your home.
Asbestos
If your home was built after the 1930’s but before the 1980’s, there’s a good chance it was built using asbestos. When untouched, asbestos isn’t a threat to your health. However, considering it’s now 2025, there’s a good chance the material will have started to break down, which will make it a big threat in your home. The problem here is that you can’t see or smell asbestos, but the exposure to the fibers could cause many problems like lung disease, mesothelioma, asbestosis, or even lung cancer. If you suspect your home might have asbestos, get professionals in to safely remove it.
Pests
Pests can actually go unnoticed for quite some time if you aren’t looking for them actively. Did you know that sometimes, many people have pests in their home in places like their pantry cupboard for weeks before ever noticing anything? Mice and rats harbor lots of germs and diseases, so it’s important to take action as soon as you notice anything. Call pest control experts like Terminix if you notice any signs like holes in food wrappers, droppings, or damage to your walls and flooring. The last thing you want is to catch some horrible illness because pests have made their way into your home!
Mold
Having mold around your home isn’t exactly the biggest shock in the world, especially if you live in a high moisture climate and your home is quite old. A home that’s got humidity over 60% is a hotbed for mold. When the humidity level is high, your drywall is also at risk. Not only that, mold causes a multitude of health problems from sinusitis to sleep apnea. The problem here is that you don’t want the humidity levels to be too low, because it can aggravate respiratory problems. Luckily, mold can be treated effectively with bleach and if it’s found early enough, you can rest assured it hasn’t done too much harm to your health.
Lead
Finally, lots of older homes were painted with lead based paint. And, while you may have redecorated, there may be a chance there is still some in your home. If your home was built before 1948, it’s worth having old paintwork tested as well as you and your family members to check lead levels. If your home is found to have lead based paint, you’ll need to have it stripped back to basics and start again!