Volunteers participating in the Healthy Housing Challenge are making many basic repairs that every homeowner should consider, such as:
- Repairing gutters and downspouts to direct water away from the home’s foundation
- Replacing old carpeting with resilient flooring to make surfaces easier to clean and to avoid the buildup of dust and other debris that can trigger respiratory problems
- Fixing trip hazards and add grab bars and handrails to reduce the risk of falls
- Ensuring that clothes dryers are vented outside through metal ducts to prevent fires and moisture problems
- Installing fans, vented to the outdoors, in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture and combustion gases
- Checking and repairing old inefficient and dangerous gas appliances with safe, energy efficient models
- Sealing cracks and holes inside and outside of the home to keep pests out