We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
Hidden Hazards
Perhaps you have just moved into a new home. Or maybe you’ve lived in your house for a while and have started to uncover certain, shall we say, disturbing things about it. Whether you are a new or established homeowner, you don’t have to be living in the “Amityville Horror” house to realize that your home may be harboring harmful secrets. Dangerous building materials, for example, may lurk in your home’s flooring, walls, or ceilings, especially if you live in an older house. But even newer homes are subject to hidden hazards. Here are a few things to look for…and beware!
Fireproof, Yet Flawed
Asbestos is an inexpensive and highly effective flame retardant that was once widely used in home construction. Found in insulation, vinyl and linoleum floors, and roof shingles, asbestos becomes hazardous to your health when damaged materials break apart and are inhaled. Asbestos is no longer used in construction, but if you live in an old house it could still be lingering in the walls. If you think it’s lurking in your home, it’s definitely a job for a pro.
Related: 9 Places Asbestos May (Still!) Be Lurking in Your Home
Radioactive Risks
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that commonly enters houses though cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, or wall joints. It’s present in all homes to some degree, but at high levels it acts as a dangerous carcinogen. Because the gas is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, you’ll need a radon test kit, like this one from The Home Depot, to detect its presence. If your house is afflicted, mitigation can be as easy as adding ventilation or sealing cracks in the foundation.
Related: Here’s What Potential Home Buyers Need to Know About Radon
Get the Lead Out
If you live in a home painted before the 1980s, chances are good that there’s lead in the paint on your walls—or lurking a few coats beneath. Lead paint was banned in the late 1970s due to its toxicity. If you suspect that it’s present on your walls, you can test for it using a simple test kit that you can purchase from The Home Depot. Lead removal, however, should be handled by a trained professional. Common DIY activities like sanding can cause airborne particles of lead to infiltrate your house, potentially leading to serious illness.
Bad Gas
You can’t see it or smell it, but dangerous carbon monoxide gas is a serious threat. The gas can leak from stoves, water heaters, appliances, or cars. Even at low levels, a carbon monoxide leak can make you very ill; that’s why it’s vital that every level in your home be equipped with a carbon monoxide alarm—like this one from Amazon.
More Airborne Alerts
Installing new carpeting? Repainting your walls? Buying new furniture? It’s likely that your upgrades will come complete with volatile organic compounds—or VOCs. As these chemicals break down, they release gas into the air that can cause headaches, sore throats, and more. Minimize the effects of off-gassing by ventilating a newly furnished room for at least a week after installation and always buying no- or low-VOC products when possible.
Musty Menace
If your bathroom or basement has a musty odor, chances are you have a mold problem. Mold can grow inside ductwork, behind walls and ceilings, and under floors—anywhere excessive moisture builds up. Although mold can typically be detected by smell, you also can check by shining a bright light on any suspect areas or using a black light. Fortunately, this home irritant can be easily removed with commercial cleansers. Prevent future buildups of mold by using dehumidifiers and fans to reduce dampness.
Tiny Terrors
Gross but true—microscopic dust mites can live in your furniture, carpets, or bedding. These tiny critters feed off hair and dead skin cells and can trigger asthma attacks or allergies. While you can’t get rid of them, you can reduce any symptoms they cause by vacuuming carpets and furniture regularly, washing bedding and area rugs in hot water every week, and purchasing tightly woven, barrier-style pillow protectors and mattress covers to seal your bedding.
Related: 3 Fixes for Dust Mites
Of Mice and Men (and Insects)
Pests can cause a host of household problems. Termites and carpenter ants can wreak havoc on wood floors and walls, while mice and cockroaches can spread disease. Unfortunately, chemical treatments and poisons come with their own set of problems—many are toxic to children and pets, and give off noxious gases and VOCs. A qualified home inspector can identify infestations and recommend the proper treatment for any uninvited guests.