I have a basic question, even when I leave town when all my windows doors are closed there is still lot ofdust

Question

I have a basic question, even when I leave town when all my windows doors are closed there is still lot ofdust accumulated. I'm puzzled. I was out of the country for 2 months. When I left I cleaned my place spotless, closed all the doors and windows, quite air-tight. To my surprise when I came back, I saw dust everywhere, on top of my TV screen, phone, kitchen cabinets. I dont't see any air gaps in my doors, windows. I know this sounds silly, but there must be an explanation.

I live in the SF Bay Area in Los Altos, Most homes around here don't have central air-conditioning. My home doesn't either. Our heating is through tiles heated through flow of steaming water under the ground, this system was built in the 1950s.

Answer 1

Most people don't realize that the air inside your home is *full* of dust. Ever see dust motes dancing in the air on a sunbeam through your window? If you have a really powerful flashlight/lantern, you might be able to get it to show up that way, too. Walking on your floor, vacuuming, broom-sweeping, sitting on chairs/counches, using towels, and yes, even cleaning can stir up dust. And it doesn't come down in 3 or 4 minutes. Some of it's so fine, it can take a week or two to settle, even in 'still' air in a closed-up home. So the very act of 'cleaning the house spotless' is likely to have resulted in extra dust in the air, and then it fell after you'd gone.

It's true that your house isn't air-tight, and you wouldn't want it to be, there is a (small) risk of suffocation if it were air-tight. It's generally 'good enough' to prevent a lot of stuff from getting in from outside, but not everything. During a really strong wind/dust storm, I'm sure you'd notice more dust. So some of the dust (a small part, I imagine) could have come from outside, as well.

There is no practical way to prevent dust. Dust happens. Well, if you wanted to invest in clean-room technology, but that's thousands of dollars, and would take up a whole room in your house, I think. California's dustier than the midwest, I think. Seemed so to me when I moved here from Ohio.

Answer 2

I lived in Las Vegas for 2 years and we had the same problem.It is from your windows,Leaking.You may not "see" any leaks but after a good dust devil or wind storm,The microscopic dust always manages to find it's way in.The house was built in the 50's.I do not know how updated your windows are but I can tell you this,Many Electric Companies offer "tests" to pressurize your home and check for leaks.You would be surprised! Have a test done and you may have to add some chaulking,weather stripping or update your windows and doors.

Answer 3

Do you have central air/heat? If so, that's the source of the dust. Your ducts are probably full of dust (like everyone else's unless they're brand new) and each time the air/heat kicks on, the dust gets out of the ducts and all over your stuff.

Answer 4

With wind, dust would enter through air gaps in your windows, chimney, doors. The old wooden double hung windows are worst for that. Houses are really dusty anyway -- any furnishing in your house made of fabric has fibers that are efficient dust catchers.

Answer 5

Definitely not airtight. Builds are all designed to allow air to flow in and out even if all fans or ventilation systems turned off. If they didn't let air through they would kill the occupants through suffocation.

Dust comes in with the air flow.

Answer 6

Also how old are the carpets on the floor and did you shampoo them recently, same with the drapes. The heating and cooling system has much to do with it to.

Answer 7

I'm with lisamae on this one!!