Are Spring Time Allergens Becoming Irritating In Your London Home?

Preparing Your Home for Spring Allergens

Spring is closing in. Nature is blooming once more, birds wake up to sing their songs, and the chills of winter gradually cease. For some, spring is a pleasant and hopeful time. For the millions of seasonal allergy victims in the U.K, it can be one of the worst times of the year. That’s why there is no better time than now to prepare your home for the new season. Spring cleanup is still important to keep everything tidy, but there are some simple tasks that could cost you if you forget to do them.

What are allergens?

In case you are not aware, allergens are otherwise harmless substances that cause the immune system to react as if they are a threat. What counts as an allergen depends on the person, but it can be anything from animal fur to food to spores from wild plants. The latter is especially true in the case of spring allergens. In the process of rejuvenating plant life spores and pollen can wander into your London home and block your sinuses. That is why it is important to ensure the ventilation in your home is in top shape.

How do I fight off allergens?

There are a few fixes that can help remove allergens from your home. Listed below are four of the best precautions to take. How helpful they are to you depends on your situation, but being too careful should not be an issue.

1. Prevent Dust From Outside

Over half of the dust that enters your home in London comes from outside. For starters, take off your shoes before entering the house or use a doormat outside and an entry rug inside. These simple steps will prevent any extra dust from entering into your home. Another good idea is to vacuum or shake out these rugs roughly once a week. When you attempt cleaning this spring, remember to use tools and products specifically designed to trap dust, not push it around. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter or dusting off with a microfiber cloth are some great ways to start.

Also the outdoor AC unit takes in air from outside through the HVAC system, and all that dusty air will circulate throughout the entire house. Make sure to check for dust and debris, and clear it from the unit as often as possible to keep all of it from being pulled inside.

2. Check the Inside Insulation

Outdoor measures can only get you so far when it comes to dust and other airborne particles. Sometimes, allergens slip inside from underneath or above ground level. The first solution to this problem is to make sure the air ducts are properly sealed. A trained technician is best suited to sealing air ducts and preventing contaminants and debris. At the same time, it improves ventilation efficiency and therefore air quality.

Clean air filters also help keep dust particles out and also protect equipment. It is also helpful to remove from bathroom vents all the dirt and particles inside. While the power is off, remove the vent cover and wash it clean with warm, but not hot, soapy water. You can use a toothbrush or a slightly damp rag to wipe the fan blades clean as well.

3. Clean Out/Replace Your Duct

As discussed earlier, it is vital to have your ducts professionally cleaned if you have allergies, asthma or a similar problem. It can help improve the air quality inside your house by reducing contaminants.

4. Check for Mold

Mold is another allergen, and it likes moisture and humidity. Make sure to check the ducts, condensate drip pan and drain, evaporator coils, and the air handler every once in a while for signs of mold.

Allergies are the least of your problems when it comes to mold spores. Certain molds can cause disease and even death if left unattended. If you spot mold, do your best to remove as much as you can if the amount is small. For bigger problems, it is best to call a professional.

What do I do next?

So you have done every conceivable preventive maintenance possible with all the tips presented. So what is next? Well, now is a great time to schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment. After doing regular maintenance to keep your home clean, calling an HVAC professional will ensure that your system is truly allergen-free.

After that, it is simply a matter of replacing your HVAC filter to continue removing allergens from your home. Routinely changing the filters in your heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems should become a habit by now. When you change the filters it removes filthy air and keeps cleaner air, while also ensuring the life span and effectiveness of the AC unit. It is recommended to change your disposable filters every month while your machine is active. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions if the filter is not disposable. It is important to regularly exchange or clean filters and follow any maintenance instructions as recommended by the manufacturer. If you discover mold particles within system components or if a foul odor is coming from your vents, consult a professional to check for mold.

Schedule an appointment in the London, UK area now by calling FD Plumbing at (020) 7060-4770.