Home » About Us » Blog »Carpet And Indoor Air Quality: Why Carpet Is Bad For You
All homeowners want to have a safe and comfy home. Therefore, they will do all that they can to achieve this. Some will opt to install a carpet because it provides the look they want while adding insulation and reducing noise to their homes. You can also choose from many beautiful patterns and colors that will surely match your home’s interior design. However, this does not mean that carpets do not come with disadvantages as well. Understanding that carpets are bad for you will ensure that you make better and smarter decisions when it comes to all things carpet in your home.
Read on to find out why carpet is bad for you and how carpets impact your home’s indoor air quality.
How Do Carpets Affect Indoor Air Quality?
You might think that carpets are made from natural materials because they feel soft and plush. Truthfully, most carpets are made of synthetic fibers. Many manufacturers like using these materials because they are cheap and stain-resistant. Unfortunately, toxic chemicals are utilized when carpets are manufactured and installed. If these chemicals are released, continuous exposure can pose a risk to your health. Older carpets can also be harmful as these trap dust, pet dander, mold, bacteria, and other debris that are not easily removed.
What Is Indoor Air Quality?
Indoor air quality, or IAQ, is the state of the air circulating within the building. Poor air quality means that your health and well-being suffer while you occupy these areas. It can cause you to get sick and feel irritable as well. Depending on several factors, the symptoms from having poor IAQ may be prominent immediately or slowly emerge as time passes. It can also range from mild, moderate to severe. Air pollutants can have interior or exterior sources, so it is best to stay vigilant. Knowing what commonly causes poor IAQ and how you can minimize them are essential in keeping a safe environment for your family.
What Impacts Indoor Air Quality?
IAQ is most affected by the structure’s ventilation. A home that has poor ventilation is bound to have poor IAQ as well. Most modern homes have an airtight design so that the cold or warm air from their HVAC units do not leak out. The HVAC air filters in their system are cleaned or replaced regularly to manage air quality. However, this alone is not enough as dust, dirt, and other contaminants continue to get trapped and accumulate in your home.
Harmful chemicals might also be produced by interior sources and these cannot be vented outside. You also might have high humidity levels indoors, which can encourage mold and bacteria to grow. This can cause problems with your health if you leave them be. Other common indoor pollutants include paints, pressed wood products, cleaning products, and tobacco products.
Is Carpet Bad For Your Indoor Air Quality?
Carpets can worsen your IAQ. However, this does not mean you can’t do anything to combat this situation. Knowing how to clean carpets and how to keep the air clean means you can have carpets in your home without worry. After all, carpet can become a huge problem when you leave them to gather dust and other contaminants.
When this happens, you and your family will have symptoms pertaining to respiratory illnesses. You might notice that you cough and sneeze a lot, have a runny nose, or have trouble breathing properly. If you have a pre-existing condition like asthma, you might even suffer more than usual because of the carpet’s dust and debris.
You might even suffer from allergies when exposed to these airborne particles. Some people are highly sensitive to dust mites or pet dander. These can cause allergic reactions, such as skin irritations, continuous sneezing, or high fever.
Our body has a defense system that protects us from harmful particles found in our immediate environment. However, it can weaken as time passes and when it is overburdened with a toxic environment. Babies and toddlers also frequently crawl on the floor and are more likely to come in contact with the carpets and their pollutants than adults.
Steps To Take Before Buying Carpet
Before you purchase a carpet, it is a must to conduct the necessary safety measures to ensure that you can better manage your home’s indoor pollution. Here are some of the things you need to think about if you have your heart set on getting a carpet for your home:
1. Research The Materials And Construction
Look into more than the design, color, and cost when choosing a carpet. Research on the different kinds of carpet materials. It is always recommended that you go for natural fibers. However, if this is beyond your budget, you can opt for the least toxic synthetic one.
2. Look For Info About Their VOC Emissions
Find out if there is any information about the carpet’s emission of volatile organic compounds or VOCs. Most carpets release VOCs to some degree. However, some carpets are still eco-friendlier than others. Find out which brands have less toxic carpets for their consumers and go for these green brands instead.
3. Stay Somewhere Else During Installation
Carpets are installed using foul-smelling adhesives that emit harmful particles. Therefore, opt for alternatives to keep your carpet in place. You and your family should also stay somewhere else so that you do not inhale the unpleasant smell and poor IAQ during carpet installation. These should clear out after a few days.
4. Have Proper Ventilation In Affected Areas
Pollutant removal can go faster if you have proper ventilation at home. Do this by opening the windows in the affected area so that fresh air can circulate and take the contaminants outside. Open all exhaust fans around your home as well.
5. Read And Follow The Care Instructions Carefully
All carpets have different maintenance guides that depend on the materials used and their construction. Therefore, read the manufacturer care instructions and follow them carefully. Make sure you clean the carpet regularly, especially the areas you tend to pass through a lot.
Conclusion
Carpets can be a good flooring option depending on particular situations. However, it needs to be taken care of and cleaned properly and regularly. Otherwise, it will contribute to poor indoor air quality in your house. Contact your local, trusted HVAC technician to know more about how you can keep your home safe and comfy even when you have a carpet installed.
Call Tower Energy For Superior Indoor Air Quality Solutions
When you need superior heating and cooling services in Hartford County, Connecticut, do not hesitate to call Tower Energy. We have professionally certified and highly trained technicians who can help you with your HVAC and indoor air quality needs. All our skilled techs are knowledgeable and experienced to conduct accurate services like maintenance, replacements, installations, and repairs.
Tower Energy has highly competitive and affordable HVAC service rates in the area. We offer tune-up services that guarantee to enhance your IAQ and comfort while increasing your efficiency and reducing your energy bills. We can also help you find the most practical and budget-friendly solution to your HVAC repair or replacement needs. All of our works come with a guarantee. Book an appointment with Tower Energy and call us today for a free, in-home estimate.
Contact usnow or call us at(860) 677-7347to find out more.
