How Carpet Can Affect The Health Of Those In The Home
Carpets can be a great addition to a home, but it can also adversely affect the health of those who live in the home. This is because of the dirt and bacteria that accumulate in them over time, as well as a host of allergens that can get stirred up when they are dirty.
Airborne Particles
Airborne particles are small insoluble particulates, ranging from a few nanometers (1 nm) to a few millimeters (0.1 mm). These can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and even into the bloodstream, where they can cause significant effects on the body’s ability to regenerate. Airborne dust is produced by a variety of sources, including soil being lifted up by weather, volcanic eruptions, and pollution. These dusts are transported through the atmosphere and can affect visibility. As these particles enter the lungs, they can trigger a number of health problems, such as coughing, sneezing, and trouble breathing. This can be particularly difficult for those who have asthma or other pre-existing conditions.
Allergens
Despite carpet’s insulating ability, it also collects and holds dust, pollen, mold, pet dander, and other allergens. These allergens then circulate in the air when you walk or vacuum and can irritate your respiratory system. In addition, carpets are very absorbent of sound waves which can make it difficult for people with respiratory issues to breathe easily and may increase symptoms. Choosing carpets with thicker fibers and a good quality pad can help reduce noise levels in your home. Moreover, many carpets release toxic chemicals into the air which are harmful to your health. Those chemicals include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde, which are both known to cause adverse health effects.
Chemicals
Some carpet cleaning chemicals and some new carpets, as well as the adhesives used to affix them to your floor, contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which emit gases and chemicals that can have adverse health effects. These chemicals include formaldehyde, xylene and benzene, which are known carcinogens. Optical brighteners are also present in many carpet-cleaning products and can be harmful. Some can even make your carpet look yellow, which can be an irritant to eyes and respiratory tracts. There are a number of other ways to help prevent exposure to these pollutants and protect the people in your home. For example, try to choose hard-surface floors or rugs that can be removed and cleaned outside; use vacuums that have a HEPA filter; and avoid using adhesives with phthalates.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are microscopic insects that live in mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture and carpet. They feed on flakes of dead skin that people and animals shed. They can trigger allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose and nasal congestion. In severe cases, dust mite allergies can cause asthma and eczema. The best way to reduce the number of mites in your home is to reduce the places where they can gather. Vacuum your furniture and floors often. You can also wash throw rugs in hot water weekly to kill them. This is especially important if you have concrete floors that remain damp and provide a warm environment for mites.
Mold
Mold is a fungi that can grow on many different types of surfaces, including floors, walls, appliances, carpet, and furniture. It can also grow in damp areas in homes, such as basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and crawl spaces. If a home has a lot of mold, the spores can be harmful to those with allergies or respiratory conditions. They can also cause asthma, sinus infections, and bronchitis. To be safe, you should dry water damaged materials within 24-48 hours and clean up any mold you find immediately. This is especially important for areas where children will be playing.
Although appropriate maintenance can significantly increase the life of a carpet, every carpet that is regularly used will ultimately require replacement. Some signs that your carpet needs replacement are obvious, but others are more subtle. The following are some signs that your carpet requires replacement.
Stains
Most carpets have a stain-resistant finish. However, with time, it fades and ultimately makes the carpet vulnerable. Fortunately, professional carpet cleaners have the expertise to eradicate stains. Nevertheless, tough stains sometimes do not go away. Plant food, tea, Bleach, mustard, and wine are typically the most stubborn stains.
Stains due to pet urine, vomit, feces, mildew, and mold are generally easy to remove if you act fast. However, these substances ultimately infiltrate the carpet padding, resulting in mildew and mold accumulation under the carpet. In case these stains are in many places, you should consider replacing your carpet to avoid health risks with mold.
Wear and Tear
Significant wear and tear on the walkways and matted carpetare key signals that your carpet needs replacement.
Polyester gets matted easily, losing its form. When the carpet loses its tuft, it does not go back to normal. Nylon carpets, however, are generally hardier than polyester ones and respond well to cleaning.
You can carry out carpet repair on small wear and tear. However, large tears and rips signal the need for carpet replacement, more so if they are present on major walkways.
Stinky carpet
If you have not cleaned your carpet in a while or own a pet, you might sense a persistent odor on your carpet, but the scent should disappear or be markedly reduced after an appropriate cleaning. If it does not, it implies that the scent has gone deep into the fibers of the carpet, the carpets pad, or the subfloor, and might also indicate mildew and mold growth.
In these circumstances, it would be more cost-effective to do carpet replacement to fully eradicate the odors.
Carpet padding condition
Carpet padding assists in supporting the carpet making it comfortable to lay and walk on. It absorbs sounds, keeping a room quieter and even enhances insulation. Nevertheless, carpet padding absorbs spillages, and cleaning the carpet does not essentially clean the padding. Signals of old padding are wrinkles, unevenness, and a creasing sound when you walk on it.
Persistent allergy symptoms
Regularly, older carpets get and hold more allergens, causing allergies to escalate. If there is an upsurge in allergies, your older carpet might be one of the sources. A solution could be engaging specialized carpet cleaners. Nevertheless, it might be helpful to your health if you replace the carpet.
Old carpet
Believe it or not, a carpet does not last forever, even with utmost care. According to most manufacturers, carpets can last for around ten years with appropriate care.
Afterward, signs of wear and tear appear on the main walkways, and fibers begin losing their tuft and texture. Some common signs of old carpet are fading, color loss, wrinkles, ripples, matting, and lack of padding support.
Stretching is an important part of proper carpet maintenance. Over time, a carpet can become loose, resulting in wrinkles. To avoid this, it’s important to tighten the carpet by stretching it. The carpet installation process involves carpet stretching, though re-stretching is often required after a period of time.
While it’s possible to stretch a carpet on your own, the process requires several specialized tools and experience in carpet work. If you want to avoid purchasing expensive tools and potentially making a destructive mistake, contact a professional carpet re-stretching service provider in your area.
Below, we provide helpful information to answer the question, “What is carpet stretching?”
The purpose of carpet stretching
There are many signs it’s time to invest in carpet stretching. Bunching and bubbling carpet is not only unattractive, but it can also be dangerous. You don’t want to accidentally trip over a wrinkled carpet and end up injured. Carpet that’s started to peel from wood or tile floors could also mean it’s time to have it stretched. Catching and repairing these problems early will prevent worse issues down the line.
Not only will stretching get rid of all the wrinkles in your carpet, but it will also help increase your carpet’s lifespan. Instead of paying for a full carpet replacement when your old one starts to show wear and tear, ask about carpet re-stretching. In some cases, re-stretching will have your carpet looking brand-new.
What causes common carpet problems?
There are many things that can cause problems with your carpet, including heavy foot traffic. While carpets are meant to be walked on, constant foot traffic will eventually wear them down. Moving furniture across rooms can also put a major strain on your carpets.
Improper installation will cause your carpet to wear down sooner than it should. That’s why it’s important to only work with a reputable service provider for carpet installations and repairs.
Finding a carpet stretching company
Don’t put your carpet in the hands of a subpar carpeting company. Find a company that has years of experience in many different carpeting services, including installations, repairs and re-stretching. While it might seem like re-stretching will fix your carpet problems, this isn’t always the case. That’s why it’s good to work with experts who can spot other possible causes right away.
There are carpet repair contractors and technicians available in many areas; however, those who also specialize in carpet installations are usually your best bet. As mentioned above, carpet stretching is an important part of the installation process, so an expert shouldn’t have trouble re-stretching yours.
Speak with a trusted carpet repair and installation company
Now that you know what carpet stretching is, it’s important to remember to get yours stretched when necessary. If you’re experiencing issues with your carpet, contact the experts at Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center. Our experienced technicians will be at your home or business in no time to assess the situation and offer great recommendations. We charge fair prices on all our carpet services.
Interior design trends are always changing, and it’s not uncommon for previously popular styles to come back into fashion in unexpected ways.
If you’re ready to invest in new carpet for your home, but you’re unsure of what’s currently on trend, here’s a brief introduction to what types of carpets are popular in 2021:
Nylon
What are the top kinds of carpets to get in 2021? First, nylon is an excellent choice due to its exceptional durability. Nylon carpet is generally considered as the most durable option on the market. It’s fade resistant and easy to maintain, all without sacrificing plush softness. If you live with kids or pets, nylon is a great choice since it offers superior stain resistance compared to other carpets, so you won’t have to worry too much about accidental spills, tracked-in mud or other elements that can take a toll on the appearance of carpeted floors.
Twist pile
Twist pile carpeting is similar to the shag carpeting of the 1970s, but advances in technology have made it one of the types of carpets that are popular in 2021. Twist pile features tightly-twisted loops that are then cut, resulting in exceptional plushness. The tight twists are what distinguish twist pile carpets from the shag rugs of yesteryear; they also make them easier to clean and less apt to collect dirt and other particles. The twists also provide an added benefit in terms of appearance, making the carpet appear multicolored and adding visual interest to any room of the house.
Wool
If plush, soft carpet is what you’re after, wool is always on trend. It’s generally the plushest, softest carpet on the market, but it’s also one of the most expensive. The price you pay for wool carpet is well worth it, though, when you consider its durability. Although not as durable as nylon, wool offers exceptional durability, and you won’t have to replace carpets for several years with proper care. Wool carpeting also has an insulating value due to its thickness, making it an environmentally friendly choice for homes in all areas of the country.
Sisal
With sustainability being a primary concern for many homeowners, sisal carpeting is one of the top kinds of carpets in 2021. Sisal carpeting is biodegradable and made from woven plant fibers—there’s truly no better eco-friendly option. It’s also highly durable and perfect for high-traffic areas like entryways, walkways and living rooms.
Jute
Much like sisal, jute carpeting is an eco-friendly, non-toxic option that looks great, too. Many homeowners love jute due to its natural variation and imperfect texture that adds a natural, earthy beauty to any room of the house. Its exceptional durability also makes it a perfect choice for areas that experience heavy foot traffic.
Investing in new carpeting for your home is a big deal, and you want to choose a style and material that you’ll love to live with for years to come. Use this list of the top kinds of carpets in 2021 to guide you as you make your choice, and reach out to Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center for expert assistance. We’ll help you choose the style and material that’s right for your home.
As a homeowner, it’s a good idea to know how to make certain repairs and be able to do small home improvements yourself. When you put any amount of energy and money into your home, you will of course want to make sure it stays in good condition for as long as you live there.
Let’s focus on one interior element of your home: the carpet. Small damages like burns, tears or stains won’t necessarily require a complete carpet replacement. In fact, you might be able to fix the problem spot yourself! Try repairing damaged carpet in South Amboy, NJ instead of spending more money replacing it. Here’s how to fix or patch damaged sections of carpet.
Surface burns or stains
If the burn or stain is small enough, the repair might be as simple as trimming off the ends of the damaged portions of the carpet fibers. Take a sharp pair of scissors or nail clippers and carefully trim the stained ends. Be careful not to cut too deep into the carpet!
For deeper stains, the pros suggest borrowing some carpet fibers from hidden areas. This involves the removal of damaged fibers all the way down to the carpet backing, then cutting out fibers from a non-damaged section of the carpet to replace it. It’s recommended that you take fibers from unseen areas, like in the back of a closet. All you need is a toothpick to work the good fibers out one by one, then apply a clear waterproof adhesive to the base of each fiber to reattach it to the carpet backing in the bad spot. This is a slow and somewhat tedious process, but it’s an effective way to repair and save your carpet.
Crushed carpet
You’ve probably noticed crushed, matted-down spots underneath the legs of heavy furniture. Luckily, there’s a simple way resurrect crushed carpet fibers, depending on the type of carpet. Fill a spray bottle with water and grab your hair dryer. Dampen (don’t soak) the crushed fibers, then turn on the hair dryer and blow dry the area while brushing the fibers up with your free hand.
Replace damage sections
Some stains on carpets are just too deep to clean or cut away, or the damaged section covers a larger area. In these cases, you might consider replacing the damaged section. The best-case scenario is that you saved extra carpeting from the original installation—otherwise, you can go cut a piece from the back of a closet. Before adhering the replacement section, make sure the replacement piece is positioned so the fiber grain is running in the same direction as the rest of the carpet. A pro tip is to cut less noticeable shapes, like a circle or triangle.
If you are in need of carpet repair in South Amboy, NJ, look no further than Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center. Our professional carpet repair and re-stretching services can remedy small burns and snags. You can trust that our equipment and patching techniques will save your carpet and keep money in your pocket. Call us today for more information!
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