Keeping Your Home’s Air Clean

Most people live under the assumption that if the air in their home smells fine, it must be clean. While that isn’t a terrible initial indicator, it’s definitely not the final benchmark to measure by. Air can contain countless contaminants that are completely scentless.  

That’s why it’s important to be active in keeping your home’s air clean. After all, people spend an average of 90% of their day indoors, and many of those hours are spent in our own homes. Here are a few steps you can take to make sure your home’s air is safe and breathable. 

Clean Your Home 

Keeping your home clean is priority #1. Left unclean, your home will build up dust, debris, germs, mold, and more. These particles can easily travel into the air, reducing its quality and causing harm. By actively cleaning your home, you can remove the sources of many air contaminants.  

The best way to ensure your house is staying clean is by keeping a schedule and routine. If you don’t already have one, trying setting up a calendar for monthly household cleaning so nothing gets missed. 

Keep Any Pets Cleaned and Groomed 

Not everyone has pets, but for those who do, they can contribute to reducing air quality through shedding and pet dander. Even if you’re not allergic to animals, these things can affect you over time. Make sure your animal is being regularly washed and brushed. 

If it’s an animal that needs to have its hair cut, keep regular appointments in doing so. 

Add Some Houseplants  

Houseplants don’t just dress up your interior. They improve the air quality by absorbing carbon and producing oxygen. That doesn’t mean you have to turn your living room into a forest. Simply add a plant or two in every room. 

You’d be surprised by the difference it can make. 

Use an Air Purifier  

Air filters actively clean out the air in your home, capturing particles through their filtration systems. However, not all air purifiers are the same. Make sure to consult a professional when looking for air purification systems. We can help with that. Feel free to give us a call at 937-399-4242 to learn more. 

Don’t Smoke Indoors

Smoking anything in your home actively pollutes the air around you. The worst culprit, of course, is cigarettes. Cigarettes are filled with dangerous chemicals that not only harm the smoker, but those breathing the air around them as well. 

The best thing to do is to not smoke at all. If you must, however, please do it outside of your home. 

Test for Radon  

Radon is an invisible, odorless, radioactive gas in the air around us. Traces of it can be found in virtually all air. While small doses are completely harmless, large amounts can be very dangerous. Radon can be found in homes across the US, and it is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. 

If you haven’t, make sure to have your home checked for radon. 

Clean Your Air Ducts 

Overtime, dust, debris, and even mold build up in your air ducts. Since they’re small, enclosed spaces, it’s hard to know what state they’re in. That’s why you should contact a professional for air-duct cleaning services. 

They can inspect your air duct system, and should it need cleaning, they have the tools to get the job done right. For air duct cleaning in Dayton, Ohio and the surrounding area, contact Air Duct Cleaning & Radon Company today! 

Frequently Asked Questions About Radon Testing Before Basement Renovation

Short-term tests typically run for 48 to 96 hours. That’s enough to get a clear baseline before renovation. If you're on a tight timeline, we offer same-day professional radon testing, using calibrated digital monitors with faster turnaround and higher accuracy.

🛠️ Pro Tip: Schedule your test at least a week before framing or insulation begins — that gives you time to take action if mitigation is needed.

Often, yes. Finishing a basement reduces natural ventilation, seals air pathways, and creates negative pressure zones — all of which can trap radon gas inside. We frequently see radon levels double or triple after renovation.

If you plan to install drywall, flooring, or closed-cell insulation, test first. It's much harder to retrofit a system once the space is finished.

Absolutely. In fact, newer energy-efficient homes are often more airtight, which can amplify radon accumulation.
Radon isn’t about age — it’s about soil conditions, slab construction, and airflow. We’ve mitigated brand-new builds in Columbus that tested over 10.0 pCi/L before occupancy.

The EPA recommends testing every 2 years, but after a basement remodel, you should test immediately after the work is complete — even if you tested beforehand.

🎯 And if you already have a radon mitigation system, make sure to re-test after any HVAC upgrades, insulation changes, or new construction that may affect airflow.

  • Below 2.0 pCi/L: No action needed — considered low risk.
  • 2.0 to 3.9 pCi/L: Consider mitigation, especially if children live in the home.
  • 4.0+ pCi/L: The EPA’s action threshold. Mitigation is strongly advised.

🔎 We’ve seen plenty of “borderline” homes spike to dangerous levels after finishing — so if you're anywhere near 4.0 pCi/L, don't wait.

Final Takeaway: Test First, Then Build

The only way to ensure a safe renovation is through early detection. Testing for radon before finishing your basement isn’t just smart — it’s essential.

Call (614) 799-8530 to schedule a professional radon consultation Licensed. Proven. Local. - Get answers before you build — and breathe cleaner air afterward.

Serving Columbus, Dayton, Springfield, Cincinnati, and all of Central Ohio

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