home air quality tests - any experience ?

dada44

hi there. we are looking to get a home air quality check done, because as well as quite a bit of mould, there are other issues that don't leave one feeling particularly well in the house.

was wondering if anyone had any experience with this ? there is one site that posts you a test you do yourself, then mail the air sample back to them for about 80 pounds. but that's all i know of at the moment.

thankyou

Doozergirl

What is the benefit of doing it? What does that help you do?

I'd be trying to work out why the mould there and treating the cause.

dada44

it's not just mould, there are other things in the air i suspect.

i think the knowledge would help because the owners prefer to ignore the subject or generally don't believe me.

Doozergirl

Like what? I think I'd be dubious if someone presented me with an air quality report.

Your landlord is either interested in maintaining his investment in the form of a nice tenant and a looked after house, or not.

You'd be better off finding a better landlord.

dada44

thanks , but i also want it done for my own interest (and health). don't want to sidetrack the post into my motivations for this, if you don't mind, so if anyone does have any experience in this would be greatly interested and appreciative to hear them

Doozergirl

You are asking if people have found them helpful.

I am genuinely asking what one would expect to find and what measures you would take either to reduce them or to even know what you were reacting with.

In order to know whether they were useful.

dampdaveski

dada,
When would you do your home quality test?, in the morning, over night, when the heatings on, just after you walk in the front door, when the windows are open or shut, when the back bedroom window has been cracked open in the locked position overnight?

Sorry for all the questions but unless your testing for something like radon or other ground gases it sounds like a complete and utter waste of time as there are so many factors that will affect it.

If you have a mould problem (the house not you ) and the house makes you feel 'generally unwell' it seems to me that you might have a condensation / ventilation problem.

The other thing to consider having realised you are a tenant is that if the landlord won't do anything to help or deal with the issues then contact your local environmental health department, they will send an officer out who will determine what needs doing and if necessary serve an enforcement notice on the landlord

Good luck!
DD