When it comes to keeping your home safe you likely think of locks on your doors and outside home monitoring systems. However, there’s a much closer threat than you realize–your indoor air quality.
The truth is that the air inside your home can be just as polluted as the air outside and it can have a big impact on your overall health.
From mold to harmful gasses, poor indoor air quality can cause everything from allergies to chronic respiratory issues. Read on for more information on how to test your home’s air quality and the warning signs to look out for indoors.
How To Test Home Air Quality
Testing your indoor air quality might feel overwhelming and like something only professionals can do, but there are plenty of reliable ways to do it yourself.
1. Use an Indoor Air Quality Monitor
An indoor air quality (IAQ) monitor is one of the easiest ways to get an idea of your home’s air. These devices can detect:
- Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10)
- VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
- Humidity
- Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Temperature
Many devices sync with smartphone apps to give you real-time updates and track trends over time.
2. Test for Mold
If you suspect mold growth, a mold test kit may help. These kits usually involve placing a petri dish in your home for 48-72 hours to collect mold spores. Sometimes you have to send the sample to a lab for analysis.
It’s important to remember that even a positive test won’t tell you where the mold is coming from or how bad the issue is. That’s where professional mold inspections and mold remediation comes in.
3. Check for Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that may enter your home through the foundation. It is colorless, odorless, and a common
cause of lung cancer in the United States.
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that can enter your home through the foundation. It’s colorless, odorless, and the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.
At-home radon test kits are affordable and widely available. You’ll place the device in a central location for a few days and then send it to a lab. If your levels are high (4.0 pCi/L or higher), you’ll need to call in a radon mitigation specialist.
What To Look For in Your Test Results
Once you’ve run your air quality tests, it’s important to know how to interpret the results. Here are a few key metrics and what they mean:
- PM2.5 and PM10: Fine airborne particles like dust, smoke, and allergens. Safe levels for PM2.5 are under 12 µg/m3; for PM10, under 50 µg/m3.
- Humidity: Ideal indoor humidity is between 30–50%. Anything higher can promote mold growth and dust mites.
- VOC Levels: These gases come from paints, cleaning products, and furniture. Less than 0.5 ppm is ideal; higher levels can trigger symptoms like headaches and eye irritation.
- Carbon Monoxide (CO): CO should always be at or near 0 ppm. Higher levels are dangerous and require immediate attention.
- Radon: Anything above 4.0 pCi/L is unsafe and should be professionally mitigated.
Even if your readings are “within range,” if you or your family are experiencing symptoms like coughing, sneezing, headaches, or fatigue, don’t ignore it. Test results are just one piece of the puzzle.
Signs You Might Have an Air Quality Problem
Not sure if you need to test your air? Pay attention to these red flags:
- Musty odors that linger, especially in bathrooms, basements, or near HVAC systems
- Visible mold growth on walls, ceilings, or around vents
- Condensation on windows, which may indicate poor ventilation or high humidity
- Increased allergy or asthma symptoms
- Chronic fatigue, dizziness, or headaches that improve when you leave the house
- Warped walls or flooring, which could signal hidden moisture
Even if you don’t see anything obvious, your body might be picking up on something your eyes can’t. If you or your family are feeling unwell at home, testing your air quality is a smart next step.
When to Call in the Pros
Home tests and monitors are a great starting point for any homeowner, but they don’t always tell the whole story. If you’re noticing signs of mold, moisture, or persistent symptoms that won’t go away, it’s time to call in the experts.
At Axel Works we use industry grade tools to assess your property including thermal imaging and moisture meters to detect hidden issues. Whether it’s mold behind drywall, or moisture issues in a crawl space, we’ll identify it and recommend water extraction and mold remediation services.
Clearer Air, Healthier Home
Indoor air quality is easy to forget about, but its impact on your daily life may be significant if left unchecked. If you’ve been dealing with unexplained health issues or want peace of mind, start with testing your home’s air.
From basic monitors to professional inspections, there are plenty of ways to get the answers you need.
Axel works is just a call away for all your remediation needs.
