Prepare for Cold Weather to Effect Indoor Air Quality

When we get the news of school closing or work from home orders these days we have fond memories of building snowmen and considering the weather a blessing. With the unusual weather the Wisconsin area has had this year, it can certainly feel this way for most people. However, many people are still feeling the other affects of this such as indoor air quality. In this article we want to discuss some of the most common cold weather related air quality issues and some of the things you can do to mitigate these damages before they happen.

Frozen Pipes

This is the most common and obvious issue with cold weather and something that can cause costly damages lasting months to repair. Prevention is the biggest factor reducing the cost of this damage. Whether you are a homeowner, condominium owner, or tenant, we have a few easy steps you can take to reduce chances of being displaced by a water-loss event.

Prevent Ice Damming

Ice damming is a common issue we've discussed previously here. A common winter issue, ice damming is caused by warm air entering the attic and melting the snow against the decking that runs under the snow and freezes in gutters and against cold eves. As the snow continues to melt, water is dammed by the ice below and works up under the asphalt shingling and enters the attic decking. This wet decking can drip down the attic decking into the insulation. As the insulation gets wet, water damage can worsen and cause damage to ceilings and exterior wall finishes. This can be a costly damage that could take months to repair with easy fixes.

Prevent Cold Windows and Walls on Exterior

Of all the damages we talked about so far, this is the least damaging, easiest to prevent, and easiest to remediate. During cold weather, even good insulation can allow exterior walls to reach a dew point. (For a refresher on dew points, read here). So two easy factors cause mold on windows and closet walls. First is obviously the excess humidity being controlled. In the winter/cooler months we recommend keeping relative humidity between 30% and 40%. This can be accomplished by running shower exhaust fans for 15 minutes after shower or baths. Operate dehumidifiers in basements and green houses or rooms with excess plants or fish tanks.

The second part of this equation is air flow. Closets are prone to more condensation on exteriors where clothes or items are against the exterior preventing warm air on the surface to remove condensation. This can be a simple thing to monitor by arranging the closet in the winter to prevent boxes or clothes from sitting against the exterior for too long. For closets that are rarely opened, consider installing a vent or grate on the closet door to allow more air flow.

If mold growth does occur, it should be properly tested and identified as a condensation related mold growth and not due to water damage such as a frozen pipe or ice damming as discussed above. If the mold growth is consistent with condensation, the good news is that remediation practices do not require the removal of wall finish for repairs and can be easily cleaned from the surface using a detergent based solution. To find out more about cleaning contact your local air quality hygienist or trusted remediation professional.

Summary

Cold weather can bring many dangers to your home if not properly controlled. Keep these consistent tips in mind this winter to keep your air quality under control and prevent damages in your home. To find out more about air quality testing in southeast and central Wisconsin, contact us here.

Additional Resources

• American Red Cross; https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm/frozen-pipes.html
• National Rural Water Association; https://nrwa.org/preventing-frozen-pipes/