Carpet And Indoor Air Quality: Why Carpet Is Bad For You
A safe and comfortable home is something many people want to achieve. To do this, they exert every effort into improving different aspects of their homes. Some homeowners choose to have a carpet as their flooring because of the insulation and noise reduction benefits it brings. It can also help improve the aesthetic of the rooms as carpets come in different patterns and colors.
Unfortunately, carpets come with disadvantages as well. Understanding why carpet is bad for you means you can choose and implement smarter decisions and solutions when a problem crops up. This article discusses how carpets affect your indoor air quality.
How Do Carpets Impact Indoor Air Quality?
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Carpets are soft and lush to the touch, so you might conclude that they are made from natural materials. However, most carpets are actually made of synthetic fibers. Many manufacturers use these fibers because they are cheap and stain-resistant. However, the manufacture and installation process of these carpets uses toxic chemicals. These chemicals might get released into the air, and the exposure can pose a few health risks to you and your family. Older carpets can also be hazardous. These trap dust, bacteria, mold, and dander, among other things that are not easily removed.
What Is Indoor Air Quality?
Indoor air quality or IAQ is the condition of the air circulating within an enclosed space like your home. Having poor air quality means that the health and well-being of the occupants are negatively affected. They become more prone to sickness because of the indoor air. The symptoms might appear as soon as they are exposed, or they could develop as time passes. The symptoms can range from mild, moderate to severe. The pollutants might be from external or internal sources, so it is recommended that you pay careful attention. Determining the common reasons behind poor IAQ and knowing how to minimize them are essential in keeping your family safe.
What Impacts Indoor Air Quality?
Poor indoor air quality levels are due to poor ventilation. Modern homes typically have airtight designs so that air leaks do not happen. This helps their heating and cooling units keep the conditioned air in. To help manage the air quality, replacing the air filters regularly is a must. However, this might not be enough in some cases. Dirt, dust, and other debris can still accumulate. Toxic chemical emissions from indoor appliances might not get properly released outside as well. High humidity also encourages bacteria to grow, which can threaten your health if neglected. Some of the common causes of indoor pollution include cleaning products, wall paints, and tobacco products.
Is Carpet Bad For Your Indoor Air Quality?
Carpets can be bad for your indoor air quality. However, this does not mean you can’t do anything about it. Keep your carpets clean at all times. It would help if you also implemented a few strategies to keep your indoor air clean. This way, you can keep carpets in your house without having to worry about how they will affect your IAQ. After all, carpets only become a problem if you neglect them.
Neglecting your carpet will cause problems to you and your family’s health. You might experience respiratory issues like coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and breathing difficulties. It can even be more problematic to persons with asthma as the airborne particles released by the carpet can further aggravate their illness.
Some people might also experience allergic reactions. Carpets can carry pet dander or dust mites which some people might be sensitive to. Their bodies might react severely, and they might experience skin irritation, fever, and constant sneezing.
The immune system protects our bodies from harmful substances in our environment. It generally works well around the clock. However, its performance deteriorates when it becomes overstrained by a dirty and toxic environment. Babies and children also frequently crawl and play on the floor, so they are at greater risk of being in contact with the contaminants from the carpet.
Steps To Take Before Buying Carpet
Now that you know how carpets affect your IAQ, you must take the necessary steps to ensure that indoor pollution is lessened before you purchase a carpet. Here are the things you need to do if you want to have this flooring in your house:
1. Look Into The Materials And Construction
Conduct thorough research when choosing a carpet. This goes beyond picking the design, color, and price. Research what materials are used in making carpets. Make sure to choose one that is made of natural fibers. If this is beyond your budget, get one with the least harmful synthetic material.
2. Find Out More About Their VOC Emissions
Find out about the carpet’s volatile organic compounds or VOC emissions. Almost all carpets have VOC emissions. However, some are still eco-friendlier than others. Choose a brand that is “greener” as they lessen the toxicity.
3. Arrange For Alternative Accommodations During Installation
The adhesives used during carpet installation tend to have a foul smell and emit harmful particles. Therefore, ask your carpet installation company about other options to stick the carpet on the floor. Also, you should also think about staying somewhere else, so you do not have to inhale the bad indoor air during carpet installation. This should clear out in a few days.
4. Ensure Good Ventilation In Affected Areas
Help remove the pollutants faster by having adequate ventilation in your house. To do this, open the windows so fresh air can circulate throughout your home. You can also use your exhaust fans if you have any.
5. Read The Care Instructions Carefully And Follow Them
Carpets need slightly different kinds of maintenance depending on what kind of fibers it is made of and how they were constructed. Read the manufacturer’s manual and follow the instructions carefully. Ensure that you clean the carpet regularly and even more often in high-traffic areas.
Conclusion
Carpets can be an excellent flooring option only if you conduct the necessary upkeep and maintenance. Otherwise, they will have a significant contribution to your home’s indoor air pollution if you do not clean them up regularly. Consult a trained HVAC technician to learn more about your home’s IAQ and what you can do to keep it fresh and clean at all times.
Call Point Bay Fuel For Superior Indoor Air Quality Solutions
When you need superior HVAC services in Ocean and Monmouth Counties, New Jersey, do not hesitate to call Point Bay Fuel. We only hire the best professionally certified technicians who are knowledgeable and experienced to service all HVAC makes and models correctly. Point Bay Fuel can conduct high-quality repairs, installations, replacements, and maintenance. We can also find the best way to enhance your indoor air quality.
Rest assured that we offer highly competitive heating and cooling rates in the area. Our maintenance services can also improve your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality. Need to replace your old system? We can also recommend the best HVAC unit for your needs and budget. Your satisfaction is our priority so we back all our work with a guarantee. Schedule a service appointment with Point Bay Fuel today for a free, in-home estimate.
Contact us now by calling (732) 349-5059 to speak to one of our home comfort specialists!