The Problem with Dry Air

April 19, 2016

Adults take about 23,000 breaths everyday. Are you sure if the quality of the air you’re breathing is enough? As spring arrives, it’s a perfect situation to assess your home’s indoor air quality. We have plenty cool days ahead of us and colder air holds less moisture. This dry air is not only uncomfortable, but it can affect your health and your residence.

Low Humidity Increases Your Chances of Getting Sick

That you get a cold because cool temps outside is an old wives’ tale… but there is a little truth to it. As we mentioned, cold air is drier and dry air can cause you some health challenges. The mucous membranes in your nose and sinuses dry out when humidity is decreased, so they are unable to do their function of filtering out germs. This heightens your chances of coming down with a cold, the flu or another infection.

Dry Air Harms Your Skin

In the Manassas winter, you could see that your skin is dry and itchy. Absence of humidity is the problem. Lotion can be a solution to treat the symptoms, but investing in a whole-home humidifier could solve the actual issue.

Damages to Your Home

The lower humidity in your home’s air can also impact the wood around your home—baseboards, floors, furniture—because the air takes moisture from these items. You might even see cracks in the walls and floors.

Watching for Dry Air

While itchy skin and a perpetual cold are signs that your indoor air may be dry, there are a few other symptoms to keep an eye out for as well:

  • An increase in static electricity
  • Cracks in the flooring
  • Gaps in the molding and trim
  • Cracking wallpaper

All of these concerns suggest that it’s likely time to review your indoor air quality. We are here to offer our expertise! Reach out to our indoor air professionals at Woody's Sudden Service Inc.