PREVENT AN ATTACHED GARAGE FROM SPREADING POLLUTION TO YOUR HOME

Many homes have an attached garage, which is tremendously convenient in our hot Phoenix weather. An attached garage also increases security. It also provides the convenience of fewer steps when loading and unloading the car.

However, if you have an attached garage, you may want to consider air pollutants.  Car exhaust can potentially enter your home and lower the air quality. The car or other gasoline-powered vehicles running in an attached garage can affect air quality in the house unless measures are taken to prevent it. In fact, some homeowners with CO2 detectors and attached garages report that the CO2 alarm can be triggered by air entering the home through the attached garage door. So today, we’re going to review some options for preventing garage toxins from entering your home.

A FAN IN THE ATTACHED GARAGE

An exhaust fan will pull the toxic air out of the garage. It can be something of the size of a bathroom or

A fan like this one will suck the fumes out of a garage

kitchen exhaust fan. Since it creates suction, air from your home is more likely to be sucked into your garage than the other way around. Any plug-in appliance such as an exhaust fan can now be a Smart appliance, which can be controlled with a cell phone. Consider turning the exhaust fan on before you walk out to the garage to create a vacuum. The air from your home will then be sucked into the garage rather than the air from the garage entering your home. Reverse the process when you return home in the car.

MINIMIZE EXHAUST

Don’t run the car, lawn mower, or other engines in the garage any longer than necessary. If you don’t have an exhaust fan, open the garage door before starting the car. Wait a few seconds after you shut the car off before closing the garage door to allow exhaust fumes a chance to escape. Minimizing exhaust will minimize the amount of benzene (pollution from exhaust) that can enter your home.

FINISHING THE GARAGE

Taped drywall and paint will also help control particulates from migrating from and adhering to the garage walls. Accordingly, you should finish the garage as soon as possible. One thing you should be on the alert for: some of the older homes may be connected to the central HVAC system. A garage which shares an HVAC with the house isn’t legal anymore: if you discover this, make sure to block it off. The fumes from your garage can enter your home through a vent or the HVAC ductwork. Any trace of the odor from these fumes in the home is an indication that a remedy is in order.

While the American Lung Association is not currently hosting any events in the Valley, you can check here from time to time to see when they are planning something new. This worthwhile organization works to improve lung health and prevent lung disease through education, advocacy, and research.

Call Quick Response Garage Door Service: we are your Arizona garage door service specialists.
602-274-3667 (Phoenix) or 520-219-3667 (Tucson)