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Here at Renewal by Andersen of Long Island, we’ve previously discussed the health benefits of updating home windows in your Long Island home, such as lifting your mood and keeping your indoor environment more comfortable. Today, we’ll discuss a couple of ways bad windows can contribute to sick house syndrome (SHS).
SHS may sound like something out of a science fiction novel, but it is real. You can clean and sterilize every surface from floor to ceiling, and still suffer from frequent colds, allergy attacks, asthma flares, headaches and sleepless nights that make it hard to accomplish anything during the day. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, your house could be harboring natural and man-made allergens and odors that a thorough cleaning cannot get rid of.
The Nassau County Health Department reminds area residents that mold is everywhere, hiding in plain sight and tucked about in damp, dark spaces. Mold spores are in our soil, on plants, floating in the air, and anywhere indoors (or out) where moisture allows a colony to grow unchecked.
Most healthy adults don’t have negative health issues from exposure to common mold, but infants and anyone with a compromised immune system may develop serious respiratory problems with ongoing exposure to mold spores and active colonies. When you remove the welcoming environment – dehumidify your indoor spaces and eliminate excess moisture – and repair damage, you can effectively kill mold at the root.
Aging wood windows and shutters are prime nesting spots for mold spores. Improperly installed windows allow water and moisture to infiltrate wood, drywall and other porous building materials behind your exterior siding – so, some mold may be silently destroying your home and causing those unexplained rashes and respiratory ailments.
We recommend homeowners living on Long Island or one of the other five boroughs replace aging wood windows with Fibrex framed replacement windows because they do not absorb water or develop weak spots that encourage mold and mildew colonization.
Maybe It’s Lead, Chemical Fumes and Toxic Odors
Lead paint has been off the market for more than 40 years, but there are still thousands of homes with lead paint on trim work and windows throughout our region. Homes with older plumbing may have pipes originally installed with lead solder, too. As long as the paint is in good condition, not flaking or peeling, most people won’t exhibit any lead-related symptoms. However, people with certain medical conditions may experience myriad symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
Cooking and chemical odors often get trapped in your air ducts, stuck to dust mites and dirt that gets picked up by your HVAC ventilation system. Every time your system circulates air, you get a stream of “infected” air.
The best way to find out if mold and other allergens are clogging up indoor air is to order an indoor air quality test by a professional environmentalist. You can also:
If you suspect your house is making you sick, contact one of the professionals above and then fill in the short form on this page or dial (866) 609-5033 to schedule a replacement window consultation. Remember to ask about TruScene screens that prevent most airborne allergens from entering your home through an open window.
Learn Everything You Need to Know BEFORE Buying Replacement Windows