The summer season is the perfect time for enjoying the sunshine, backyard barbecues, and those long-awaited home projects. Whether you’re finally painting that guest room, replacing the old flooring, or taking on a full-blown renovation, DIY season is officially here! But while you’re busy improving your space, have you thought about how those projects might be affecting the air you breathe? 

The Not-So-Fresh Side of Fresh Paint 

Let’s be honest, few things feel as satisfying as a fresh coat of paint or the smell of newly finished wood. But that “new project smell”? It’s often caused by VOCs (volatile organic compounds) gases released by many common household materials like paint, stains, adhesives, and sealants. These pollutants can hang around in your indoor air long after your project is complete, and depending on how sensitive you or your family members are, they might bring along some unwanted guests like headaches, dizziness, or respiratory irritation. 

Why Summer Makes It Worse 

Summer heat might be great for your tomato plants, but it’s not doing your air any favors. Warmer temperatures and higher humidity levels can actually increase off-gassing, meaning those chemicals are released more quickly into the air and in greater amounts than during cooler months. In short— that beautiful summer sunshine might come with a side of invisible air pollutants. 

What You Can Do About It 

Don’t worry, we’re not here to rain on your summer project parade! You can still tackle that DIY list while keeping your indoor air in check. Here’s how: 

  • Ventilate, ventilate, ventilate. Open windows, run fans, and keep the air moving during and after any project. 
  •  Choose low-VOC or no-VOC products whenever possible. (They’ve come a long way!) 
  •  Avoid working during the hottest, most humid parts of the day if you can. 
  • Test your air quality once the dust settles, literally. It’s the best way to know what’s lingering in your home. 

Build Better. Breathe Better. 

At the end of the day, your home projects should make your space more beautiful and more comfortable. A quick indoor air quality test can help you uncover what might be floating around post-project and give you peace of mind that your newly improved home is just as healthy as it is lovely. 

 
Just wrapped up a summer DIY project? Let’s make sure the only thing in your air is that fresh new feeling. 
 Check out Home Air Check Here!