Outgassing of carpet - has anyone had a problem with this?

[WDWorld2003]

We had new carpet put in our basement about 5 months ago. They had to glue portions down as it is a cement floor and we could smell the glue upstairs at the time!

Ever since, I cannot spend much time in the basement. I always get an itchy throat and mild cough. No one else in the family has a problem. There is also still a slight odor of carpet. I don't know if I have an allergy to the glue, the carpet or the pad. I've never had an allergy before but I am somewhat chemically sensitive.

I have called the place we purchased the carpet from and they will replace it. However, we don't know if the same thing will happen again. The pain is moving all of the furniture up the stairs and into the garage... and there is also a piano that will have to be moved.

I've read about something called SafeSeal that supposedly seals in the VOC's that are outgassing so I thought I may try that.

Has anyone experienced this problem with carpet and what did you do? Thanks for any help!

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I've never heard of Safeseal so I can't comment on it.

It's possible the glue could have reacted with something else -- the carpet padding, maybe the adhesive used between the carpet primary and secondary backing, or even the stain protector -- and could be giving off something you're sensitive to.

Do you know who the carpet manufacturer is? If so, call them on Monday and ask for their technical services department. Someone there might be able to answer questions for you to see what might be causing the problem. Tomorrow at work I'll look up some toll free numbers of the different manufacturers.

 

[debm]

Hi. We've been in two new houses the past 7 years (military) and I have had a slight problem with the new carpet. It wasn't glued down though---it was just the smell of the new carpet and the chemicals that they put in it for keeping off the stains I think. I know it is a pain to move everything but you will feel so much better once it is done. About 2 1/2 years ago we got rid of all the toxic chemicals in our home. Meaning we no longer use anything bought at the grocery store to clean or wash clothes or even our soaps and shampoos. I found a company I could order through that was environmentally safe and no bleach, chlorine, formaldehyde, etc. The great part is the products are cheaper and they work great!! I wouldn't trade them for anything! And with 4 kids in the house it amazes me how we haven't been really sick. Maybe two mild colds in the past year---but that's it! No more asthma medication for my daughter and my older son doesn't have any more earaches. (A doctor in the emergency room 4 years ago said that the formaldehyde in the plug in air fresheners we were using was causing his earaches. Sure enough, we unplugged them and were earache free!) So I really really believe that all those things I was using to clean with or run my dishwasher with, etc. were causing us more harm than good. A simple change ---just buying them from a different store has made a world of difference for us.

OK---so I went off on my soapbox. But I wanted to let you know that I believe what you are feeling is for real. I hope you can find an answer that works well for you and your family. BTW when we put carpet in our basement they did glue it down but it never really had a smell. Perhaps they can use something different for yours the next time? Or could it be the new fibers of the carpet? Keep me posted!

 

[WDWorld2003]

I'm not sure of the manutfacturer but it was purchased through Carpet King and it's a frieze (sp?).... Also, we really want to put carpet down again as we're covering asbestoes tile that of course no one will touch...

Again, thanks for any help!

 

[Sandy22]

I have similar reactions from carpet in newly constructed homes - but only for the first week or two. Have you considered using wood laminate and an area rug instead of glued carpet?

 

[WDWorld2003]

We did consider using wood laminate but because it is in a basement and the floor is not flat they did not want to do it. Also, I don't think they actually glue the carpet... I think they glue the strips that hold the carpet. They have to glue them as they cannot nail into concrete.

 

[mickman1962]

We did consider using wood laminate but because it is in a basement and the floor is not flat they did not want to do it. Also, I don't think they actually glue the carpet... I think they glue the strips that hold the carpet. They have to glue them as they cannot nail into concrete.

it is very easy to nail into the concrete. make them do the job right the second time and not use any glue.

 

[WDWorld2003]

Just bumping

 

[Conkozan]

it is very easy to nail into the concrete. make them do the job right the second time and not use any glue.

Just my opinion, but the OP said she was having this laid over asbestos tiles. The nailing of the carpet strips could damage these tiles, thus releasing the asbsetos fibers into the living area. The Asbestos is not a problem until it is disturbed. This may well be the reason they are NOT nailing the strips.

 

[mickman1962]

Just my opinion, but the OP said she was having this laid over asbestos tiles. The nailing of the carpet strips could damage these tiles, thus releasing the asbsetos fibers into the living area. The Asbestos is not a problem until it is disturbed. This may well be the reason they are NOT nailing the strips.

the possible amount of asbestos that could get released is minute. every time you pull in your garage and step on the brakes, you release more asbestos than you would buy nailing thru it. chronic exposure to asbestos is a problem not some nail holes that will be covered with carpet.

 

[Conkozan]

I am not arguing that fact at all. But, try and get a company that pays thousands in liability insurance to nail through asbestos.

The possibility of future lawsuit, and DEA regs, keeps most companies from disturbing asbestos in any way, shape or form. The OP already knows the headache she will go through to have it removed which is why they are covering it so as not to disturb it.