No one likes jumping into a cold car on a cold morning. Many people like to warm up their car before leaving the garage. But for homes with an attached garage, there are health risks. . .
The Pollutants
Automobiles release a mixture of contaminants that are the byproducts of the combustion process, including nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and most importantly, carbon monoxide. Even an low levels (undetected by household monitors), carbon monoxide can cause adverse health effects, including headache, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. At high levels, CO is lethal to humans and pets.
When you start your car in the morning, even with the garage door open, high levels of pollutants can end up in the garage and find their way into the home.
When you turn your car off, it will continue to emit contaminants for several hours after it's been turned off. It's a good idea to leave the garage door open for while after shutting the car off.
In addition to pollutants from auto exhaust, other contaminant sources may be present such as lawn mowers, gasoline, pesticides and paints.
The Pathways
So how do these pollutants enter the house? Airborne contaminants can enter through cracks and holes in the common walls between the garage and living space. Even though it looks tight, there are often small air pathways between these spaces. Gaps in weather stripping at the garage to house door are another pathway.
Movement of the contaminants can't occur without a pressure differential. If the pressure in the house is lower than the pressure in the garage, air will move from the garage to the house. Pressure differentials can be created by weather conditions or by mechanical fans, such as air conditioners or exhaust fans, or even a clothes dryer. In our climate, the most common cause of pollutant transfer from the garage to house is an air handler located in the garage. Leaks on the return duct side of the system and in the case itself are like a vacuum cleaner sucking air from the garage and distributing it through the house.
Openings in air handler, which is under negative pressure, draw contaminants into the home
The Solution
- Seal the common walls between the house and garage. Pay attention to the bottom of the wall where it sits on the floor slab. This is a common area for leaks.
- Weather-strip the door between the house and garage.
- Don't run the car in the garage, and leave the door open for a couple hours when you return.
- Make sure that all openings in garage ductwork and air handler cases are sealed air tight. This is critical. It may save your life and it will certainly save you money on air conditioning and heating costs.
- Make sure your air conditioning system is not creating negative pressure in the house. (An inspector or AC contractor can help with this.)
- Store gasoline, pesticides, etc. in tightly sealed containers.
As always, feel free to call if you have any questions.
Mark Cramer
Mark Cramer Inspection Services, Inc.
492 20th Ave.
Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785
727-595-4211
http://www.BestTampaInspector.com
Advice for consumers on choosing a home inspector in Tampa, St. Petersburg or Cleawater
Posted via email from Clearwater St. Petersburg Tampa Home Inspection News
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