by Mold and Mildew still #1 concern in 2020
When A Healthier Home created The Home Health and Happiness Survey 2019 drawing on a Harvard University study as a guide, we found 66% of AHH respondents had major or moderate concerns about some aspect of their home that could negatively impact their health.
Our latest survey shows more than 75% of you do now.
Here are three takeaways from the 2020 survey:
Takeaway #1: Mold and Mildew continues to be our area’s #1 issue
Though indoor air quality was chosen as the #1 household health concern by 3 out of 4 respondents, more than 2/3rds of you who identified this as your number one issue feel the major producer of the problem is mold and mildew. Not surprising.
Twice in the past 3 years, we broke two all-time annual record rainfall amounts. Temperatures and humidity have remained high and at record levels. Mother Nature is throwing everything she’s got at us. Our houses are wetter, damper and more humid than ever. Surface chilling and dampening from our air conditioner systems is practically non-stop now for 7 months.
These conditions make molds “very happy.” They are thriving at higher-than-ever levels indoors. Outdoors, trees are rotting where they stand as they shed their heavy, dead, water-soaked limbs falling with a ground-shaking “WHUMP”! Look out below!
More than half of our survey respondents have done something about mold and mildew, and 43% have called A Healthier Home for additional guidance in correcting the problem. Way to go!
However, if you’ve never had us examine your home and you feel that mold activity has been advancing in your home arrange for us to do a Home Health Exam in the near future to get started on finding solutions.
If it’s been a while since we’ve examined your home, it would be prudent to call us in to do a Healthy Home Exam to confirm how your house is holding up to Mother Nature’s recent onslaught of warm, wet, damp and humid weather patterns.
Takeaway #2: Too often, it’s illness or an inspection that triggers an action
Just as you follow your health check-up schedule with your doctor to stay ahead of potential illness, be proactive about the health of your house. Look at these results:
- Household member developed symptoms: 35.14%
- Household member received a medical diagnosis: 16.22%
- Received Medical Profession’s Advice: 10.81%
Total 62.17%
Almost 2 out of 3 people said they decided to do something about the issue of mold, mildew, indoor pollutants or issues like radon only after they received information based on medical concerns.
Think of it this way … Mold in your house is a SYMPTOM that the house is sick. The musty odors, headaches, itchy skin, respiratory allergies, and other unusual adverse health symptoms you’ve been experiencing at home is your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t right. Schedule the house for a check-up. It’s been through hard times lately and has likely gotten sick, too. If left undiscovered and unattended to, festering house blemishes will turn into monsters. Related: See sick house syndrome.
Other areas you expressed concern about included water quality, indoor air ventilation, asbestos, air pollutants, radon and building products. Having thoughts on matters like these mean you want to be a good steward of your house and of your health. Schedule a chat with us. We’re here to help.
Takeaway #3: A healthier home is still the goal
Whether it’s something major like mold or mildew, something more manageable like pet dander or dust, the majority of you want a cleaner, healthier environment. Thank you all for participating and the 61% of you responding to our survey who have contacted us in the past.
As for the rest of you, what are you waiting for?
Remember, not only have we had a wetter than normal year, the traditional MOLD season is upon us.
Ready to Take Steps Towards a Healthier Home?
We’re here to help. When it’s your health that matters most.
*2020 Southern Appalachian Home Health and Happiness Survey was conducted from 1/14/2020-2/02/2020, and sent to subscribers, followers and individuals of “A Healthier Home” who opted in; 38 recipients responded.
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