When you think about your health, your mind naturally drifts to two things: exercise and dieting.

If you eat right and get plenty of physical activity, chances are you’re going to live a good and healthy life. But, there are also plenty of other factors that can have a direct benefit on your health, such as your sleeping schedule, work schedule, and even the state of your house.

While you do what you can to clean your house, there are certain parts of your house that can have a direct impact on your physical health.

For those taking care of their home, some of these problems may not creep up but it always helps to be diligent and check various areas of your house to make sure everything is going well.

Dampness

If your house has high levels of dampness, then you might be more susceptible to respiratory problems, allergies, and even asthma. Dampness can appear in any room, but it’s most likely to show up in your basement or areas that are poorly ventilated.

That means you could expect to see dampness around windows or doors that don’t close properly or are not well-sealed. In many cases, fixing them can be pretty simple and likely won’t require a giant project.

Regular Cold Temperatures

These comes as a double whammy, not only affecting your health but also affecting your wallet. Cold homes are also victims of poor ventilation but they may also point to issues with improper insulation.

The colder it gets in your house, the higher your energy bill is going to be trying to warm you up. Living in a cold environment is horrible for your health, increasing your chances of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Mold

One of the more “common” issues with homes, mold is likely to appear in your bathroom or other areas where moisture is present. It can also be linked with poor ventilation and insulation in your home. Are we seeing a theme here?

Mold is easy to control if you catch it early but can have long-term health and home effects if it goes untreated. Keep an eye out in corners, especially around windows or in your bathroom for any mold.

Dust

No matter how much or often you clean, dust always seems to make its way back to your home. Many times, dust ends up in your air ducts where it can be spread all throughout the house.

If you’re not having your air ducts cleaned by air duct cleaning services, then you could be facing more issues for you and your family.

While a little bit of dust isn’t anything to worry about, too much dust is going to lead you to indoor air pollution, causing a number of respiratory issues or infections that can easily spread.

You should be cleaning your air ducts once every 3-5 years, more or less.

Radon Gas

Dubbed the silent killer, radon gas is one of the leading causes of lung cancer. Radon releases particles that can be inhaled and have serious long-term effects on your health.

It’s best to get your home tested, especially when buying or selling your home, by a professional. It is expensive but worth it. To prevent any further issues, it’s best to invest in a radon fan system that is fairly inexpensive but can prevent any further radon issues.

Pests

While termites are becoming less of a worry with each passing year, there are many other pests to keep your eyes peeled for. Pests can come in all shapes and sizes, from nasty mice to carpenter bees outside your house.

Not only do pests affect the structural integrity of your home, but they can bring in a lot of other diseases or illnesses.

Wild critters and pests aren’t exactly what we’d refer to as “hygiene stars” and bring in plenty of things into the home we’d rather keep outside.

As with anything, it’s best if you spot and treat the problem from early on. Lay traps, use pesticides, cover up holes and cracks and do research on control products.

If the problem becomes too overwhelming, then it’s going to be worth it to invest in a professional pest control service.