How Plumbing and HVAC Can Impact Your Indoor Air Quality
Your plumbing and HVAC systems are essential for the indoor air quality of your Lakewood Ranch, Florida, home. Problems with either system could increase pollutant levels and lead to health issues. Here’s how plumbing and HVAC can impact your indoor air quality:
A Leaky Pipe
Even a minor leak in one of your home’s pipes can raise your water bills and cause water damage. It can also:
- Damage surrounding materials such as drywall.
- Increase humidity levels nearby.
- Encourage biological growth as well as pests such as cockroaches and silverfish.
Microorganisms often spread over time, creating unsightly stains and bad smells. Pests can also leave their droppings around your home and spread bacteria and viruses. High humidity or exposure to water can also damage wood floors, furniture, wallpaper and many other materials.
A leaky pipe could come from rust, a loose joint, a clog, unregulated water pressure and more. Microorganisms only need a small amount of water to multiply. Your family members might even start to feel ill when they spend lots of time at home. If you suspect your home has a leaky pipe, contact a professional for help finding the problem and making repairs.
A Sewer Malfunction
Along with encouraging biological growth, a leaky sewer line can spread dangerous bacteria or parasites around your home. You could notice bad smells, the sound of running water, wet spots in your lawn when it hasn’t rained recently or grass that looks great from the extra fertilizer. You could also get unexplained illnesses, colds that last a long time or cracks in your driveway.
If you have a sewage backup, such as an overflowing toilet or a leaky sewer line, you should have it repaired and clean the contaminated areas as soon as possible. You can prevent these problems with regular plumbing maintenance.
A Dirty Air Filter
Your HVAC system’s air filter captures pollutants such as dust, pollen, pet dander, dirt, smoke particles and biological growth. However, a dirty air filter will spread contaminants instead of catching them. It can also reduce your heater and air conditioner’s airflow, raising your utility bills by reducing efficiency and making your system’s lifespan shorter by increasing wear. Fortunately, you can prevent these problems by changing your air filter at least every three months. You should also have the rest of your HVAC system checked once per year by an expert.
Poorly Regulated Humidity Levels
Like a leaky pipe, poor ventilation or a malfunctioning HVAC system can lead to high humidity, especially in summer. Even in Florida, cooler winter air combined with your heater can make your home’s humidity levels uncomfortably low. Dry air can cause dry skin, dry eyes, chapped lips, sore throats and cracking paint. You can prevent these problems by using a humidifier in cold weather.
Duct Problems
Leaks in your HVAC system’s ductwork keep all the conditioned air in your home from moving through your air filter, making it less effective and reducing your indoor air quality. They also increase your power bills and make your home less comfortable.
Dust, dirt, debris and biological growth can also accumulate in your system’s ductwork over time. Dirty ducts:
- Spread pollutants through your home.
- Increase dust levels on your floors and furniture.
- Make your HVAC system less efficient by restricting its airflow.
They can even force you to change your air filters more frequently. Fortunately, professional duct cleaning is convenient and affordable.
Custom Air & Plumbing can help you get rid of these problems and keep your home’s indoor air quality high. We have decades of heating, cooling and plumbing experience. We’re committed to a tradition of excellent service and high-quality work. We’re a Trane Comfort Specialist, and our experienced NATE-certified service technicians can help make sure your home stays comfortable. For outstanding service, call us any time at (866) 819-0992.
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