Improving Indoor Environmental Quality with Maintenance Tips for the Spring Season

Several weeks into the spring season and people are enjoying warmer weather and longer days of sunlight. The start of spring is also an excellent time to check the condition of a home or commercial property. Some basic preventive maintenance tasks performed now can help to ensure a property is in good condition to provide a safe, healthy and comfortable place for the months ahead.
 
“Preparing a property for the rest of the season and the upcoming hot summer temperatures could also help prevent costly repairs and increase the building’s energy efficiency,” said Franco Seif, President of Clark Seif Clark. “Equally important, some of these tasks could help prevent indoor environmental issues associated with mold and moisture, indoor allergens, and other health and safety concerns.”
 
The building science professionals at Clark Seif Clark provide the following recommendations for preparing a property for the spring and upcoming summer:

• Change filters in the HVAC system and consider having the air conditioner checked by a qualified professional.  Also inspect the air ducts for the buildup of dust and debris.
• Clean outdoor air conditioning components and clear vegetation from around the area.
• Remove leaves and obstructions from gutters and downspouts and ensure water is draining away from the building. Also check for any damage from past ice dams.
• Check the siding for any damage or areas that moisture could enter.
• Check for any damage to the chimney, vents and roof, and be sure skylights are properly sealed.
• Check windows and doors for drafts and inspect and replace any worn weather stripping.
• Consider having the clothes dryer vent professionally cleaned and inspect the washing machine water supply hoses. Also draining some types of water heaters can help remove sediment that may have built up.
• Check indoor and outdoor faucets for any leaks.
• Trim trees that could cause damage to the property with broken limbs.
• Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide sensors and change out the batteries.
• Repair cracks in concrete, stucco or asphalt.

 
For those who suspect they may have indoor environmental issues in their home, school or work environment, the professionals at Clark Seif Clark provide comprehensive indoor environmental quality assessments and testing services to identify and resolve a wide range of issues in all types of buildings. They also recently sponsored an educational video with spring maintenance tips that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/-mEiNk1bRZI
 
To learn more about this or other indoor air quality (IAQ), occupational, environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. 
 
About Clark Seif Clark (CSC)
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality (IAQ), environmental, health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail