When you’re trying to maintain a healthy home, the details matter. If you have cracks, gaps, or other small openings in your home, they are an invitation for dust, dirt, and animals to take up residence indoors. You’ll start to notice this problem through diminished air quality and dust build-up.
Fortunately, making some key changes can translate to a healthier environment. Read on as we explore practical home improvement for cleaner indoor spaces.
Replace Old Window Seals
Your windows face a lot of wear and tear from the outdoor elements. And when you’re constantly opening and closing them in the summer months, you’ll start to see caulk and other sealants wear down. That’s why it’s so important to reseal any gaps that develop from peeling weatherstripping or damaged caulk.
You can use fresh weatherstripping for any components that move within your window. Use caulk for areas that don’t move. Ultimately, you’ll help keep dust, moisture that can cause mildew, and pollutants from entering your home.
Invest in Door Sweeps
You might not think much about your doors, but any gaps around them can let dirt and brisk air into your home. If there’s a gap at the base of your door before it meets the floor, that’s an easy place for water or insects to seep inside. Installing door sweeps is the answer to this problem.
Opt for durable rubber sweeps or ones with a brush strip for the best protection. You want to make sure your door sweep doesn’t drag, and it should be flexible. Once installed, you notice cleaner spaces around your door and less draftiness.
Check Your Thresholds
Thresholds are the strips that sit right beneath your door when it’s closed. Over time, these strips can form cracks or wear down, making it easier for dirt and dust to enter your home.
Make a point of checking your door thresholds and replacing them. You’ll end up with a better seal. And when your threshold is in good shape, that can prolong the lifespan of the door sweep that makes contact with it.
Evaluate Your Service Penetrations
Service penetrations do a lot of unseen work in your home. These are the openings in your home through which HVAC ductwork or electrical wiring passes. You’ll find them in utility spaces or basements, and they can be prone to having gaps.
Use sealant to ensure you have more secure openings that keep pests and cold air from entering, too. If you have an attached garage where exhaust fumes and other chemicals are stored, it’s especially critical to seal these gaps.
Make Key Improvements
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to create a healthier and cleaner indoor space. Replacing or reinforcing seals, checking thresholds and service penetrations, and investing in new door sweeps can make a huge difference.
When you’re mindful of the small gaps and crevices where pollutants and pests can enter your home, you can help maintain a healthier, safer space for your family.
