Chemicals in new carpets?
 

I've been thinking of putting in a new carpet in our basement, but a few friends have told me that new carpets have some chemicals in them that may be harmful. They recommended me have them installed during the spring so I can open the windows and let the basement ventilate. However, it seems rather odd that carpet manufacturers would put in something harmful so you would need to ventilate the room...don't they want people to buy carpets during the winter as well?

I'm just wondering if there is any truth in the theory put out by my friends.

Thanks,
Merlin

Harmful yes, above the legal limits of dangerous chemicals allowed, no. I'd certainly take your friends advice. The smell you get from new carpets isn't occuring for no reason, it is through the chemical processes carpets have to go through before they can be sold. As far as i'm aware carpets must be to a certain degree fire resistent, it is at this point chemicles are added, likewise when the colour is dye into it. I think it is better to avoid it if you can, however if you don't have small children that will play down in the basement and if you're not using much anyway (like sitting there for long periods), then go ahead.

Hope that helps.

Thanks, I think I'll wait then. Better safe than sorry

New carpet is treated with a formaldehyde-like product for storage purposes. Even if you wait until spring or summer to install new carpet, you should insist that the carpet be unrolled to "air" before bringing it to your home. The chemical "flashes" (evaporates) over a short period of time, but why should you have to be subjected to those odors?

Another consideration with new carpet . . . if you have any pets. I know with birds, their respiratory systems are very sensitive to chemicals and I've been cautioned about carpets especially.

In any case, I would go with the recommendation to have it installed at a time with you can air the room(s) out for a few days before any living creatures spend any time in there.

You're right, though, you'd think that carpet would be safe from Day 1.

Bump to everything said here. And one more point. That Scotchguard or whatever protective stuff they put on the carpet isn't very good either, especially if you have a toddler or dogs/cats. Anything crawling or walking on the carpet and then possible licking their hands/feet.

I finally went with wood floors nearly everywhere!

We had carpets installed in the wintertime. I was away at school at the time so I didn't have to deal with the smell, but it bothered my sister's children (3 and 1 at the time) pretty badly. They were coughing and the like for a month. But then again, this was in Southern California where even in the winter you can open the windows more often than not.

I'd wait. And re-evaluate carptes overall. I'm with thingstodo in their advice to go for wood. You can always throw a rug or mat down to cushion your feet, and they won't collect invisible dust bunnies and stains the way carpets do.