- Published on
Note: I originally published this in 2022, but with the benefit of 4 more years of experience under my belt have added in some areas and removed other bits of irrelevant information.
There are few things I prioritize over quality home inspections, and my family is at the top of that list. Like any loving parent, I do everything I reasonably can to keep my child safe and healthy. However, much like being a good home inspector, parenting is a continuous learning experience. There are always new things to discover, lessons to learn and improvements to make.
Over seven (!!) years ago, my son was born, and I officially became a parent. I still remember the drive home from the hospital, thinking about how two of the biggest life changes most people experience: moving into a new home and bringing home a newborn come without much in the way of an instruction manual. I knew I wanted to be a great parent, but I also had that all-too-common feeling of not really knowing where to start. But enough about my personal ramblings. This article is about creating a safe and healthy environment for our little ones.
Over the years, I've learned quite a bit through both my home inspection training and general life experience. Most new parents already know about baby gates, outlet covers, cabinet locks and securing furniture to walls. Those are all important, but I want to look at some of the less obvious things that can have an impact on children's health and safety inside the home.
Houses (and Children) Need to Breathe!
One of the common responses I hear when discussing ventilation is something along the lines of: "Is ventilation REALLY that important? I grew up in an airtight home and I turned out fine!" Well, perhaps. But that doesn't necessarily mean the indoor environment was particularly healthy.
Growing up in the 1980s, I remember a very different approach to indoor air quality. Home construction placed considerable emphasis on keeping heated air inside, and much less attention was paid to bringing fresh air in and getting stale air out. Smoking indoors was also commonplace, and exposure to cigarette smoke was something many children simply grew up around.
Today, we have a much better understanding of indoor air quality and the importance of ventilation.
Everyday household activities produce moisture and airborne contaminants. Cooking, showering, cleaning products, building materials, furnishings and even the people living inside a home contribute to indoor air pollution. Without adequate ventilation, these contaminants and excess moisture can accumulate.
This is particularly important in newer or renovated homes, which are often constructed or upgraded to be much more airtight than older houses. Mechanical ventilation systems, including Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs), can help introduce fresh outdoor air while exhausting stale indoor air. Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans also play an important role in removing moisture and contaminants at their source.
Good ventilation isn't simply about making a home feel less stuffy. It's about maintaining a healthier indoor environment for everyone living there.
Lead is STILL an Issue Today
I remember being a child in the 1980s and pulling up to a gas station, hearing my parents ask for "regular unleaded." Leaded gasoline was gradually being phased out, and by the time the 1990s arrived, it was no longer something we routinely encountered at the pump. So, lead is a thing of the past, right?
WRONG!
Lead is still present in many everyday products and, more importantly for homeowners, in some older building materials and plumbing components. Lead exposure is particularly concerning for young children because their developing brains and nervous systems are more vulnerable to its effects. Even relatively small amounts of lead can be harmful, and there is no known safe level of lead exposure for children.
The good news is that awareness and a few sensible precautions can go a long way. Here are some places where homeowners should pay particular attention.
Water Pipes and Plumbing
Lead was historically used in water service lines, plumbing solder and certain plumbing fixtures. In the Halifax Regional Municipality, the potential for lead service lines is primarily associated with homes built before 1960 in certain older areas of peninsular Halifax and Dartmouth. This is not a concern limited to every older home in those neighbourhoods, but it is worth investigating if your property falls within the affected area.
Halifax Water has an interactive map that allows homeowners to check whether their property is within the historical lead service line boundary. It also provides information on identifying the material used in your water service line. It's important to remember that the service line isn't the only possible source of lead. Older plumbing solder, brass fittings and faucets can also contain lead.
Although lead solder was restricted under the National Plumbing Code in 1990, and plumbing fixture requirements have become considerably stricter, older components can still be present in existing homes. If you suspect your home has lead plumbing, have the materials properly identified and consider having your drinking water tested (remember I can I do it for you). Simply looking at the water or checking whether it tastes normal will not tell you whether lead or any similar contaminants are present.
Lead was historically used in household paint, particularly as a pigment and drying agent. In Canada, restrictions on lead content in indoor paint were introduced in 1976, but that certainly doesn't mean every home built after that date is automatically free of lead! As a general guideline, homes built before 1960 are more likely to contain lead-based paint. Homes constructed between 1960 and 1990 may also have lead-containing paint, particularly on exterior surfaces.
As a home inspector, I spend a considerable amount of time looking at the physical condition of homes. As a parent, I look at those same homes a little differently. I think about the people living inside them, particularly the little ones who may not yet be able to recognize or avoid potential hazards themselves.
Nobody expects a home to be perfect, and there is no need to panic over every potential issue. But a little knowledge, some preventative maintenance and an awareness of the less obvious hazards can make a meaningful difference. After all, a house is more than just a building. It's where we raise our families, make memories and, hopefully, feel safe.
There are few things I prioritize over quality home inspections, and my family is at the top of that list. Like any loving parent, I do everything I reasonably can to keep my child safe and healthy. However, much like being a good home inspector, parenting is a continuous learning experience. There are always new things to discover, lessons to learn and improvements to make.
Over seven (!!) years ago, my son was born, and I officially became a parent. I still remember the drive home from the hospital, thinking about how two of the biggest life changes most people experience: moving into a new home and bringing home a newborn come without much in the way of an instruction manual. I knew I wanted to be a great parent, but I also had that all-too-common feeling of not really knowing where to start. But enough about my personal ramblings. This article is about creating a safe and healthy environment for our little ones.
Over the years, I've learned quite a bit through both my home inspection training and general life experience. Most new parents already know about baby gates, outlet covers, cabinet locks and securing furniture to walls. Those are all important, but I want to look at some of the less obvious things that can have an impact on children's health and safety inside the home.
Houses (and Children) Need to Breathe!
One of the common responses I hear when discussing ventilation is something along the lines of: "Is ventilation REALLY that important? I grew up in an airtight home and I turned out fine!" Well, perhaps. But that doesn't necessarily mean the indoor environment was particularly healthy.
Growing up in the 1980s, I remember a very different approach to indoor air quality. Home construction placed considerable emphasis on keeping heated air inside, and much less attention was paid to bringing fresh air in and getting stale air out. Smoking indoors was also commonplace, and exposure to cigarette smoke was something many children simply grew up around.
Today, we have a much better understanding of indoor air quality and the importance of ventilation.
Everyday household activities produce moisture and airborne contaminants. Cooking, showering, cleaning products, building materials, furnishings and even the people living inside a home contribute to indoor air pollution. Without adequate ventilation, these contaminants and excess moisture can accumulate.
This is particularly important in newer or renovated homes, which are often constructed or upgraded to be much more airtight than older houses. Mechanical ventilation systems, including Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs), can help introduce fresh outdoor air while exhausting stale indoor air. Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans also play an important role in removing moisture and contaminants at their source.
Good ventilation isn't simply about making a home feel less stuffy. It's about maintaining a healthier indoor environment for everyone living there.
Lead is STILL an Issue Today
I remember being a child in the 1980s and pulling up to a gas station, hearing my parents ask for "regular unleaded." Leaded gasoline was gradually being phased out, and by the time the 1990s arrived, it was no longer something we routinely encountered at the pump. So, lead is a thing of the past, right?
WRONG!
Lead is still present in many everyday products and, more importantly for homeowners, in some older building materials and plumbing components. Lead exposure is particularly concerning for young children because their developing brains and nervous systems are more vulnerable to its effects. Even relatively small amounts of lead can be harmful, and there is no known safe level of lead exposure for children.
The good news is that awareness and a few sensible precautions can go a long way. Here are some places where homeowners should pay particular attention.
Water Pipes and Plumbing
Lead was historically used in water service lines, plumbing solder and certain plumbing fixtures. In the Halifax Regional Municipality, the potential for lead service lines is primarily associated with homes built before 1960 in certain older areas of peninsular Halifax and Dartmouth. This is not a concern limited to every older home in those neighbourhoods, but it is worth investigating if your property falls within the affected area.
Halifax Water has an interactive map that allows homeowners to check whether their property is within the historical lead service line boundary. It also provides information on identifying the material used in your water service line. It's important to remember that the service line isn't the only possible source of lead. Older plumbing solder, brass fittings and faucets can also contain lead.
Although lead solder was restricted under the National Plumbing Code in 1990, and plumbing fixture requirements have become considerably stricter, older components can still be present in existing homes. If you suspect your home has lead plumbing, have the materials properly identified and consider having your drinking water tested (remember I can I do it for you). Simply looking at the water or checking whether it tastes normal will not tell you whether lead or any similar contaminants are present.
Lead was historically used in household paint, particularly as a pigment and drying agent. In Canada, restrictions on lead content in indoor paint were introduced in 1976, but that certainly doesn't mean every home built after that date is automatically free of lead! As a general guideline, homes built before 1960 are more likely to contain lead-based paint. Homes constructed between 1960 and 1990 may also have lead-containing paint, particularly on exterior surfaces.
As a home inspector, I spend a considerable amount of time looking at the physical condition of homes. As a parent, I look at those same homes a little differently. I think about the people living inside them, particularly the little ones who may not yet be able to recognize or avoid potential hazards themselves.
Nobody expects a home to be perfect, and there is no need to panic over every potential issue. But a little knowledge, some preventative maintenance and an awareness of the less obvious hazards can make a meaningful difference. After all, a house is more than just a building. It's where we raise our families, make memories and, hopefully, feel safe.