February 19, 2024

Love that NEW CARPET SMELL!

Smell is the most primitive of the five senses and is more powerful than we think. The fra-grances of food enhance our sense of taste. Pleasant scents create a feeling of calm and con-tentment, while unpleasant ones may be a cause for alarm. Unfamiliar odors can create anxi-ety, especially when the source is unknown. The nose knows,as they say. But what about “newcarpet smell?” For many, this odor is welcome, as weenter a carpet store or have new carpet installed in ourown homes. It smells like a new beginning. But is thissmell hazardous?Volatile Organic Compounds The unmistakable odor produced by new carpetis caused by a volatile organic compound or VOC. Volatile simply means it evaporates readily at nor-mal temperatures. This volatility makes it easy for usto smell. VOCs are present in many new man-madebuilding materials including sheet vinyl floor covering,wall coverings, floor finishes, adhesives and paint.VOCs are what create “new car smell”, “new carpetsmell” and the smell that you probably don’t enjoy somuch after you paint a room here are many different typesof VOCs but the one related tonew carpet odor is 4-phenylcyclo-hexene (4-PCH), a by-product ofthe synthetic latex binders used tohold the carpet backing together.Although new carpet does producethis volatile organic compound,emissions from carpet as measuredduring EPA studies ranked amongthe lowest overall contributors toindoor air quality issues. Most of theVOCs present in carpet dissipatewithin 24-48 hours after installation.Ventilation during and after carpetinstallation helps to reduce thatlength of time. EPA Testing Several years ago, as the EPA was renovating its Washington DCheadquarters, some employeescomplained that odor from the newcarpet was making them sick witha variety of symptoms includingrespiratory irritation, headaches andgeneral malaise. The EPA enlisted help from carpet and latex manufac-turers to investigate the complaints.Following laboratory testing andextensive government agencyreview, no connection between4-PCH and any kind of adversehuman health outcome could beestablished. As a result, the EPAdescribes 4-PCH as an “unremark-able chemical.”Many people have the belief that“new carpet odor” is caused byformaldehyde used in the produc-tion of carpet. Research conductedby the School of Textile Engineer-ing, Georgia Institute of Technologydispelled this widely held myth.Current industry standards are inplace so that all new carpet pro-duced is monitored for this chem-ical. Formaldehyde has not beenused in the production of carpet inthe United States for decades. Latex Issues What about people who areallergic to latex? The latex used in modern carpet is synthetic and notlinked with the allergic reactionscaused by proteins found in naturallatex. All of the materials used inthe manufacture of carpeting areprimarily the same harmless materi-als found in clothing, furniture andbedding. Nylon, polypropylene,polyester and wool constitute themajority of the components foundin carpet.So the conclusion is that there isno evidence that new carpet odoris a cause for alarm. However, sinceodors can create different reactionsin individuals, it makes sense toaddress any complaints to preventdiscomfort. As mentioned earlier,ventilating the structure during andafter installation is the best way toreduce the buildup of 4-PCH in theindoor environment.
January 19, 2024

Ceramic Tile vs Natural Stone

Considering giving your home a facelift: If you are thinking about tile flooring, many homeowners simply don’t know which is the best choice of material for their project. Be it a kitchen remodel, bath renovation or new tile installation in the foyer, family room, or laundry room, howowners spend a great deal of time deciding between using natural stone or porcelain. Always keep in mind that whatever your final choice3 is, the key to getting the most bang for your buck is regular maintenance. The experts say to look at your lifestyle and the intended use for the space. A home filled with children and pets may best benefit from easy to maintain porcelain tile, while natural stone may be a good fit for a pet free home with older residents. To help you make the right choice, here are some of the pros and cons of each type of tile below. Porcelain Tile – Porcelain tile is a very hard type of ceramic tile. It is made from finer, denser clay than typical ceramic tile and it is fired at higher temperatures, making it more durable and resistant to stains. The surface of a porcelain tile is typically smooth and consistent, with uniform coloring throughout. While natural stone offers a sense of opulence, tiles provide endless possibilities. From modern and sleek to country or even glamorous, tiles really have no limits in terms of their versatility. Pros Long lasting; Easier to install; Superior resistance to wear and tear, even to rough pet nails; Can be as much as 30% harder than granite; Less porous than natural stone, it offers more stain resistance; Lower price point than stone; Highly moisture resistant; Low maintenance, does not require special sealing or cleaning solutions; Easy to clean; Large range of styles that con mimic the look of natural stone and hardwoods; Ideal for all types of projects – kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, flooring, countertops and walls; Offer a sleek and modern look; Cons Its hardness factor makes porcelain tile more difficult to cut, so it should only be installed by a professional; It tends to be on the heavy side, so you need to make sure the structure can support its weight; Usually a lower return on investment than natural stone in home value; Does require professional maintenance to prolong the life and beauty of the flooring. Natural Stone Tile – There’s an undeniable allure to naturual stone that has captivated homeowners for centuries. Whether is Marble, Granit, Limestone, Travertine, Slate, Sandstone, Quartz, or Onyx, natural stone adds a touch of beautiful sophistication to any space and con work with any type of style and decor. Pros Makes a bold, luxurious statement; Extremely durable; Conducts heat well, making it a good choice for radiant heating; Unique and distrinctive natural variations in color, veining, and texture; Considered a premium option, enhancing the value of the space; Cons Needs to be sealed; More porous than porcelain tile, making it more susceptible to stains; Absorption rates vary based on the type of stone; Hardness varies based on the type of stone, increasing the risk of breakage and abrasions; Can scratch and chip easily; More expensive than porcelain tile; Requires experienced installers due to natural variation in shape and size; More difficult to clean than porcelain tile as special cleaning agents are required – should be professionally cleaned and maintained to retain value; Not a green material option as natural stone is not renewable. When installed correctly and professionally maintained, both products are durable and have a long life span. No matter what flooring you decide on or if you just want to spruce up your existing flooring, we can help you! Difficult and heavy use areas will receive special attention from our technicians. We only use the highest quality, most scientifically advanced cleaning products on the market and the most technically advanced equipment to make sure you get the best result possible every time. Call B/P Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, Inc today with any questions or to schedule your next cleaning appointment.