{"id":3911,"date":"2020-02-17T05:40:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-17T05:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carpetguys.com\/blog\/?p=3911"},"modified":"2024-04-09T16:45:24","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09T16:45:24","slug":"pregnancy-and-carpet-installation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carpetguys.com\/blog\/pregnancy-and-carpet-installation\/","title":{"rendered":"Can New Carpet actually Affect my Pregnancy?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can you get new carpet while pregnant<\/em>?  Just like every pregnancy is different, every person is different.  When I was pregnant, both times, everyone gave me \u201cadvice\u201d.  Some of it was helpful and others\u2026didn\u2019t apply to me. The Carpet Guys want to bring you all the information you need to make a good decision for you and your family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Flooring and VOC’s<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Almost all home products and furnishings have VOC\u2019s\n(volatile organic compounds).  VOC\u2019s are\nchemicals emitted as a gas into the air we breathe (check out this information from the EPA.gov<\/a>). That new rocking chair, the new paint in the nursery,\neven the pillow you bought to prop up the baby while you feed them contain\nchemicals.  Often, even when something is\nlabeled as a natural fiber, stringent government regulations require most\nthings to be fire retardant.  This\nchemical process, to make your all-cotton curtains safer in a fire, give off\nVOC\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New flooring, including carpet, have VOC\u2019s.  The majority of flooring\u2019s VOC\u2019s dissipate in the first 48-72 hours.  Some products, like engineered hardwood, luxury vinyl, and laminate, have smaller amounts of VOC\u2019s than roll products like carpet or sheet vinyl.  This is because most of the chemicals have off-gassed during their manufacturing process.  Roll products are manufactured, then immediately shrink-wrapped for shipping, which traps the gases inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carpet manufacturing standards have evolved immensely over\ntime.  Concerns with health and the\nenvironment at large have forced our government to regulate with tougher\nrequirements. Reports indicate that carpet\nemissions of volatile organic compounds<\/a>,\nare below recommended levels; meaning that carpets are much safer just in the\npast decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should I Have Flooring Installed Before or After Birth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Again, every person\u2019s household and situation are different.  If you just moved into a home where the previous owners had pets, and you can smell it in the flooring, you need new floors!  Did you know that pet excrement is considered a biohazard?!  No one wants their baby crawling on that.  Another reason to have your flooring replaced would be if there has been any water damage.  Mold doesn\u2019t go away like VOC\u2019s do unless it\u2019s physically removed.  Mold spores in your home can cause several health problems.  The Carpet Guys recommend having new floors installed one-month prior to birth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Have Carpet Installed While Pregnant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Keep these in mind when installing carpet during pregnancy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Make sure it\u2019s Made-in-America \u2013 The United States government has strict EPA standards for chemical off-gassing.  The requirements are tougher on American products than for imported products.<\/li>
  • Ventilation \u2013 Open windows and use fans in the home during and after installation.  Create airflow for optimal dissipation.  Maybe sleep in a different room for a couple of days.<\/li>
  • Have a professional installer \u2013 A good flooring service with professional installers will understand your concerns and work within your parameters.  Ask if it\u2019s possible to have your flooring cut prior to installation.  This allows the carpet to be removed from the shrink-wrap and aired out before it\u2019s brought into your home.<\/li>
  • Make sure it\u2019s installed weeks before baby arrives \u2013 Since most off-gassing takes place in the first 48-72 hours, have your floors installed AT LEAST that long before your baby arrives.<\/li>
  • Wait before returning to those rooms \u2013 If possible, stay out of the rooms being installed for about 3 days after installation.  Allowing the room to breathe will ensure yours and your family\u2019s safety.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    What is the Best Carpet for Health Concerns?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Here at The Carpet Guys, family is everything. With that in mind, we focus on installing carpeting that is healthy for your family, whether they’ve been born or not.  If you\u2019re still concerned after doing your research, we recommend using Mohawk\u2019s Air-o carpeting. The padding is attached, it\u2019s hypoallergenic and VOC-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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