Question:
I just purchased a condo and have a full month overlap between closing date and the end of my current lease to move in. During this time I’m planning to replace the carpeting with hardwood floors in the bedrooms, and low-pile carpeting in the common areas. I am concerned, however, with the air quality being contaminated by formaldehyde & other fumes that tend to eminate from new carpets. Also, I have no knowledge of installed hardwoods in terms of them being respiratorly challenging. So in summary, I’d appreciate any comments, personal experiences, etc., regarding putting in new floors. Specifically, I’m interested in knowing whether there are options to me in terms of types of fabrics, adhesives, etc., that might be less of a problem. I plan on initiating the refurbishing immediately, and will have an entire month before I have to move in to let things air out (is that enough?). Thanks.
Response:
> I just purchased a condo and have a full month overlap between > closing date and the end of my current lease to move in. During this time > I’m planning to replace the carpeting with hardwood floors in the > bedrooms, and low-pile carpeting in the common areas. I am concerned, > however, with the air quality being contaminated by formaldehyde & other > fumes that tend to eminate from new carpets. Also, I have no knowledge of > installed hardwoods in terms of them being respiratorly challenging.
You can also get those fumes from cheap wood flooring. It needs to be wood – not glued together pieces of wood. > adhesives, etc., that might be less of a problem. I plan on initiating the > refurbishing immediately, and will have an entire month before I have to > move in to let things air out (is that enough?).
Do you have much choice? In my experience, new carpet smells like new carpet until it’s been in use awhile. So, if you do nothing in the place for a month – it’s still gonna smell when you move in – but the month should help. — Kathie Sindt
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I just purchased a condo and have a full month overlap between > closing date and the end of my current lease to move in. During this time > I’m planning to replace the carpeting with hardwood floors in the > bedrooms, and low-pile carpeting in the common areas. I am concerned, > however, with the air quality being contaminated by formaldehyde & other > fumes that tend to eminate from new carpets. Also, I have no knowledge of > installed hardwoods in terms of them being respiratorly challenging. >You can also get those fumes from cheap wood flooring. It >needs to be wood – not glued together pieces of wood. > adhesives, etc., that might be less of a problem. I plan on initiating the > refurbishing immediately, and will have an entire month before I have to > move in to let things air out (is that enough?). >Do you have much choice? >In my experience, new carpet smells like new carpet until it’s >been in use awhile. So, if you do nothing in the place for a >month – it’s still gonna smell when you move in – but the month >should help. >– >Kathie Sindt
Don’t forget to skip the draperies also—they are nasty at dust retention. We just built a house and the only carpeting is in the living room and one bedroom. All else is ceramic tile, wood or asphalt tile–with an occasional washable throw rug. Still have lots of dust–but its better than before! Keep fighting….. Jane Robinson
Response:
Before new buildings are occupied some(many/all?) builders bake out freshly painted areas and newly installed carpets by leaving the heat on high over several days. It might be worthwhile to investigate this practice. Also, definitely avoid the fumes from the polyurethane used to coat the hardwood floors. Good Luck. I haven’t been the same since I sat through a 3 hour Jazz concert in a freshly painted church basement recreation hall last year … STUPIDITY!! M.I.T. Lincoln Lab (617) 981-2815 not necessarily shared by Lexington, MA (617) 981-0908(FAX) M.I.T./LL or its sponsors 02173-9185, USA
|> > I just purchased a condo and have a full month overlap between |> > closing date and the end of my current lease to move in. During this time |> > I’m planning to replace the carpeting with hardwood floors in the |> > bedrooms, and low-pile carpeting in the common areas. I am concerned, |> > however, with the air quality being contaminated by formaldehyde & other |> > fumes that tend to eminate from new carpets. Also, I have no knowledge of |> > installed hardwoods in terms of them being respiratorly challenging. |> |> You can also get those fumes from cheap wood flooring. It |> needs to be wood – not glued together pieces of wood. |> |> > adhesives, etc., that might be less of a problem. I plan on initiating the |> > refurbishing immediately, and will have an entire month before I have to |> > move in to let things air out (is that enough?). |> |> Do you have much choice? |> |> In my experience, new carpet smells like new carpet until it’s |> been in use awhile. So, if you do nothing in the place for a |> month – it’s still gonna smell when you move in – but the month |> should help. |> — |> Kathie Sindt
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