Maintaining a healthy home is crucial for your family's well-being, which means addressing preexisting conditions within your home. Taking a proactive approach like this ensures your family's safety and protects their health. Whether you're dealing with leaks, mold, pests, or structural issues, or you're just looking to take preventive measures, here are some potential preexisting problems you may be living with inside your home.
Trouble With Your Septic Tank
Septic tanks are an essential component of homes not connected to a municipal sewage system. According to Reliable Septic & Services, they're buried, watertight containers made of fiberglass, concrete, or polyethylene. Over time, they can develop issues like leaks or blockages, causing pollution of your groundwater and posing a massive health risk to your family. You should never be surprised by septic tank issues, so hiring professionals to inspect it and immediately begin repairs is essential.
Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial to prevent further problems. Consider hiring a professional to inspect your tank annually and pump it when necessary, as this will help you identify issues early on. Additionally, practicing responsible usage habits, such as avoiding flushing harmful substances like excessive grease down the drains and flushing toxic substances like chemicals, can prolong your septic tank's life.
Reduce Home Energy Consumption
Energy efficiency is a concern for many homeowners. While you may be aware of how it affects your wallet, you may not realize that it also indirectly affects your family's health. Poorly insulated homes cause drafts, moisture build-up, and the growth of mold and mildew, triggering respiratory issues and allergies. There may be parts of your home, such as faulty appliances, that are making your home less energy efficient.
According to OneDesk, the average family in the United States spends $2,000 a year on home energy. To address energy-related issues, consider conducting an energy audit of your home. This way, you can identify areas where energy is wasted, like poorly insulated windows or air leaks. By sealing these gaps, improving insulation, and using energy-efficient appliances, you can reduce energy consumption, save money, and create a healthy living environment.
Assess the Presence of Lead in Your Home
Older homes appeal to homeowners as they offer a vintage charm and often come at a lower price than new builds. Unfortunately, they pose unique issues that you may not face in newer homes, such as the presence of lead-based paint. Although lead-based paint was banned for residential purposes many years ago, it can still be an issue in older homes that were painted before it was prohibited.
The probability you'll find lead-based paint in your home increases with its age. According to The Oklahoman, homes built between 1960 and 1977 have a 24% chance of containing lead-based paint, but that statistic spikes to almost 70% for homes built between 1940 and 1959. If your home predates 1940, there is an 87% chance it contains lead-based paint.
If you suspect the presence of lead-based paint in your home, make sure you take appropriate measures. Hiring a certified specialist to test for lead will help you understand how much there is, and they should be able to remove or encapsulate the paint to mitigate the risk. Be aware that improper handling of lead-based paint can exacerbate the problem, so it's always best to hire a specialist to perform the removal process.
Addressing preexisting issues within your home is a proactive way to protect the health and well-being of your family, as well as potentially save you money long-term. These points highlighted in this article are essential steps toward creating a safe and healthy living environment. Finding the right help to complete these tasks lets you enjoy your home without having to worry.
