Have you ever walked into a space that just. feels. good?! Healthy homes that have THAT feeling renew it’s inhabitants and make visitors feel welcome. We visit houses and homes that are under construction, completed and everything in between and these are the Seven Principles set Healthy Homes apart:

1. DRY

Damp houses provide a nurturing environment o.

Humidity Monitor ($11.65)

Even if your house feels dry to you, there may be areas of your home that you could improve. . .  Keep an eye on your Home’s humidity levels with an Indoor Humidity Monitor like the AcuRite 00613 Indoor Humidity Monitor ($11.65)

Install a drain pan under your water heater to capture water and prevent moisture ($20)

Use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture. Try DampRid Moisture Absorber($10) for under sinks, in damp areas like a Bathroom or Laundry Room, Check out a Dehumidifier with Auto Humidstat.

Intelligent Dehumidifier ($49.99)

Repair downspouts to drain water away from the foundation and prevent moisture intrusion. ($25)

Place a water alarm near the sump pump or water heater to notify you of water leaks. ($10)

2. CLEAN

Keeping a clean house means more mental clarity and no worries about unexpected guests popping by.  But the reason keeping a clean house is important is that it minimizes risk. Dusting, for example, does more than make your furniture shiny…. Cleaning up dust eliminates lead dust, allergens, and chemical residues.  Your home is less likely to be infested by pests or house contaminants if you keep a cleaning schedule and follow these tips:

Place a mat on the inside and outside of every door that leads to the outside. 

Use Non-Toxic Cleaning Supplies! It’s really a no-brainer. AND It’s easy to make your own.

Recipes for Non-Toxic Cleaners ($2.99)

. . . .Or, enjoy handmade, high-quality organic Cleaning Supplies like our favorites from The New Braunfels Farmer’s Market:

PRO TIP: Pay particular attention to cleaning refrigerator drip pans and range hoods.

3. WELL-VENTILATED

It is incredible what opening some windows and letting a little sunlight in can do for your Quality of Life!

Building Green puts it this way: “For centuries homes weren’t ventilated, and they did all right, didn’t they? Why do we need to go to all this effort (and often considerable expense) to ventilate houses today?

There are several reasons that ventilation is more important today than it was long ago. Most importantly, houses 100 years ago were really leaky. Usually they didn’t have insulation in the walls, so fresh air could pretty easily enter through all the gaps, cracks, and holes in the building envelope.

Also, the building materials used 100 years ago were mostly natural products that didn’t result in significant offgassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, flame retardants, and other chemicals that are so prevalent in today’s building materials, furnishings, and other stuff.”

4. PEST-FREE

Inappropriate pest treatments can exacerbate health problems, since pesticide residues in homes pose risks for neurological damage and cancer. Yikes!

Keep pests out by filling cracks and crevices with copper mesh, expanding foam, cement, and caulk. ($10–$50)

Get rid of Pesticides and google this: Integrated Pest Management. An IPM program employs common sense strategies to reduce sources of food, water and shelter for pests.

IPM MUST: Use a Trash can with sealable cover. Sealable trash cans prevent rodent and pest infestation. ($15–$20)

5. CONTAMINATE-FREE

Chemical exposures include lead, radon, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, and environmental tobacco smoke. Exposures to asbestos particles, radon gas, carbon monoxide, and second-hand tobacco smoke are far higher indoors than outside.

Radon is a naturally occurring dangerous gas that enters homes through soil, crawlspaces, and foundation cracks. Test for Radon in the lowest point in your home. Install a radon removal system if levels above the EPA action-level are detected.

To learn more about radon and how to receive a discounted radon home test kit, contact your state radon office at www.epa.gov/radon or call 1-800-SOS-Radon.

DIY Radon Testing ($17)

Your drinking water should be free from contaminants.  If you are served by a public water system, ask the water company for a copy of the “Consumer Confidence Report,” like this one from New Braunfels Utilities:

Our drinking water is obtained from…the Edwards South Balcones Fault Zone and the Guadalupe River…Assessment results indicate that some of your sources are susceptible to certain contaminants.  Any detections of these contaminants may be found in [The NBU] Consumer Confidence Report. For more information on source water assessments and protection efforts at our system, contact Doug Draeger at (830) 629-8485. –NBU Consumer Confidence Report (Annual Water Quality Report for the period of January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015)

DO THIS: Take Inventory of any chemicals you’re using and consider natural alternatives.

FOR EXTRA CREDIT: Install wire shelves to prevent the collection of dust and avoid off-gassing from particle board.

6. SAFE

The majority of injuries among children occur in the home.

1. Falls are the most frequent cause of residential injuries to children, followed by
2. injuries from objects in the home,
3. burns, and
4. poisonings.

Install nightlights in dark hallways and bathroom to help prevent falls.

Aroma Diffuser Nightlight

Adjust the thermostat on your water heater to Prevent Scalds. Keep hot water <120°F.  Start to fill bathtub with cold water and slowly mix with hot water. Avoid running water in other rooms during this time (it might increase the temperature of the water filling the bathtub) and turn off the hot water first. To be extra safe, look into an Anti-Scald shower diverter.  You can install special water faucets and showerheads that reduce the risk of scalding.

Anti-Scald Tub and Shower Faucet ($115)

7. WELL-MAINTAINED

We have access to some great local New Braunfels Resources and Service Providers that can help you with evaluating and maintaining your home. Contact Us if you want a referral.  Or, let us in on any tips or services that you’ve found that are helping you keep a healthy home.

These are the seven principles of a Healthy Home, according to the National Center for Healthy Housing.