What Kinds of Air Quality Issues Do Vancouver Home Inspectors Look For?

Home Inspection is a crucial part of selling or buying a home. One important but often overlooked area of home inspection is Air Quality Testing. Here are some of the issues that our expert inspectors look for when performing Air Quality Tests in the Vancouver area. 

Testing for Indoor Pollutants

One of the most important tests we perform is determining what, if any, pollutants are present inside the home. When testing air quality our home inspectors perform a minimum of 2 tests, one outside and one inside, in order to compare both levels. This allows home inspectors to measure the air for fungi, mold, bacteria, mycotoxins, endotoxins, various allergens, pollens, and particulates. These tests can determine whether any of these could pose a health risk to any current or future residents of the home. 

Radon Gas Testing

One air quality issue that frequently comes up when inspecting homes in Vancouver is Radon Gas Testing. Radon is a radioactive gas that is naturally present in the soil which is normally released and diluted by the air rendering it harmless. However, Radon can gradually build up in closed off buildings, such as homes, and allowing this build up could eventually present health risks to the residents. Some areas in BC possess higher levels of Radon than others and proper testing can determine whether or not your home is equipped to deal with the amount of Radon present in your area. 

Humidity and Ventilation Issues

In Vancouver the coastal climate can cause excess humidity - a common problem in homes which if not addressed can lead to bacteria and mold growth. This can cause health issues in residents but a good ventilation system you can keep humidity in check. Air Quality tests performed by home inspectors can determine whether the ventilation in the home is up to the task. Older homes with poor ventilation are more likely to have air quality issues than those with proper updated ventilation systems. These kinds of homes can also have chimneys which are an additional vector for air quality issues. These issues can be caused by blockages, improperly functioning flues and bad ventilation. 

The Importance of Air Quality Testing

Air Quality issues can affect the safety and enjoyment of your home, whether new or old, and present important health concerns for residents. Therefore, it is important that you discuss air quality testing when getting a home inspected.

The Inspectors is a group of very experienced home inspectors who bring reliability and integrity to the practice of home inspection. These inspectors follow closely the established standards of the Canadian National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about home inspection, we encourage you to call us at (778) 788-5301.