Job completed for Lisa L.

Completion date: June 20, 2020

Location: Glen Carbon, IL

Why did the customer contact us?

Contacted through Home Advisor to have air tested and samples due to family member(s) suffer cold, allergy, or asthma symptoms. Indicated feeling better sleeping in the basement area opposed to the master bedroom. 

Solutions provided:

Specific concerns were made in regard to the master bedroom, which is located on the main floor of the home adjacent to the kitchen area.

There were no visible signs of microbial growth of the interior of the home. Mold air samples were taken outside, master bedroom and in the basement. The outside test is done as a comparison knowing that the outdoor sample should be higher than the indoor samples. Readings in both the master bedroom and the basement area were similar in counts which may point to e a different cause to the problem which may relate to new products that are present in the master bedroom like the rug or bedding.

The second test was done using the AirAdvice monitor that provides a 30 minute flash report showing a snap shot that can be used to evaluate items such as the HVAC systems performance to indoor air quality standards relating to health and comfort within the indoor environment. These readings were taken in the master bedroom showing higher level indicators in three categories: particles, chemicals and carbon dioxide. Increasing ventilation within the home is recommended by the EPA to help reduce the above listed sources. Our homes are more energy efficient trapping contaminates within. It was recommended to install an EZ Breathe which increases air exchanges within the home, which is not being accomplished by the HVAC system. The chemical category can indicate new products being introduced into a room, possibly by the rug or bedding. It was recommended to remove the rug and bedding from the room to see if the sensitivity to these products were reduced or if they stayed the same. Other suggestions were to use good quality filters in the HVAC system, servicing the HVAC system and duct cleaning to remove any contaminates. Also, any areas where water damage has occurred should be cleaned and dried properly after a water leak to prevent issues.