Indoor air quality test

cjcullom

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This may be a little off topic for the section but falls into the health category. My wife and I have both noticed a "change" when returning to our house after being away. I have pulled most all of the lead painted woodwork and replaced it as we have been doing the restoring of the home. I have had the exterior removed and there is no mold visible or any evidence. My thought maybe there is something airborne and I need a way to test ambient indoor air quality. Any suggestions on a specific test or testing device that can help me with that?

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If the house is old have you thought about having the ducts cleaned? My mom's house is like that. When we lived up there we were always sick or felt bad. Even happened if we would go up there for the day. And she is ALWAYS sick with some type of respiratory issue. They sealed the crawl space. Replaced the HVAC at some point, but not sure if they cleaned the ducts. And the air mover is in the basement and draws air from there, and I know there is mold down there in places. It was even worse when they had the carpet left over from when I was a kid.
 
Look up home air quality testing in your area. There should be a few that could test for you.

How have you been removing the lead paint?
 
Had the all the duct work replaced that was 30 yrs old in our stand up crawl space along with the indoor and outdoor unit. Made a huge difference in air quality. If you go that route insist on a duct pressure test that you witness. Supposed to be required by NC as part of a new or replaced HVAC system as part of test and inspection.
 
I replaced the lead paint by pulling and replacing the painted wood with hardwood. I have the ducts in all systems cleaned every 5 years or so as a preventive measure. All of the units are new and with new ductwork as well. I thought about hiring a company to do some testing but would rather do it myself if possible. Black mold up here is crazy and you cant sell your house if there was a revelation via a testing company and thats my secondary concern. I have the existing under slab ductile in the basement that I have filled with hydraulic cement but I have one lateral that was covered up with concrete that has not been traced out but its been dry for a few years. I thought that maybe gases could be coming up through the slab or thru the sand. My wife thought it was mold but I have not found a single bit in 20 years. If I was familiar with what to test for then maybe I could go from there. Many thanks to all who chimed in!!

Rooster
 
Are you really in PA?
There's a retired particular gent that's done this for years in Harnett Co, and he loves to shoot.
 
Yessir....Im just outside of Philadelphia Co. The mold test kit you listed I may grab for sh&$# and giggles. Im thinking a gas of some sort but who the hell knows. It could just be the yankee air coming outta west Philly....lol

Rooster
 
Slow to the gate here... Have you identified any cause? I agree general mold growth would be unlikely given your upgrades and maintenance, especially this time of year.

Can you localize the odor at all? Is there any chance there is a hidden plumbing leak, or a dead mouse/other animal tucked away somewhere?
 
The hidden plumbing leak is my thought....there is an occasional smell like rotten eggs. I have filled all the old cast lines, that were replaced, with hydraulic cement. All new laterals have been installed too. I just need a device to check the air and tell me what is in it.....before I start pulling up concrete basement floor.

R
 
Any chance you have a dry trap or some other way for sewer/septic gases to be getting back into the house? I sure hope you don't have to start breaking up concrete!
 
Thats what Im thinking...just need test to confirm. As we remodeled I found the top of some of the 4" cast completely rotted thru....but the house is 1886 build date. One of the bathrooms had plumbing but it was all formed sheet lead....lol. Shes an ol gal!

Rooster
 
I'm with you on the old part. Mine's 1846. lots of nice surprises.

If you find some other open abandoned pipe. Get a plumber to do a "smoke test" and see if /where you have multiple openings or leaks
 
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Well that is an old home... Good on you for taking care of her.
 
The restoration has been frame up/down. Ill never do it again while living in it with a woman thats for sure! This will be a one in a lifetime project and I doubt whomever buys it will fully appreciate the pains to keep it original. It has been 20 years already and still a "large nut" from finishing. One day.....Lord willing!

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