Concrete floors don't harbor allergens or release harmful chemicals. Bomanite Corporation in Madera, CA

Avoiding Carpet

Concrete floors are an allergy free alternative to wall-to-wall carpeting. In fact, when it comes to poor indoor air quality, carpeting can be one of the worst offenders. If you're looking for allergy relief, removing your carpeting and opting for decorative concrete floor is a great option.

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First, carpet is difficult to keep clean and often becomes a haven for dust mites and other allergens. Tens of millions of these little critters can live in a square foot of carpeting, and they aren't removed by routine vacuuming. According to Mayo Clinic, an allergy to dust mites can trigger symptoms similar to a cold or hay fever, including congestion and frequent sneezing. Dust mites can even cause a form of asthma, with chronic shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness. To minimize exposure, Mayo recommends removing carpeting where possible. Bare concrete floors won't harbor dust mites and are easy to keep clean with periodic dusting or damp mopping.

Concrete Floors Great for Those with Allergies

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Harris discusses the benefits of concrete floors for those with allergies.

Removing Carpet before Installing Concrete Floors

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Tips on installing concrete floors if you have carpet.

VOCs and Mold

Synthetic carpets can also emit volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, as can some of the products that accompany carpet installation such as adhesives and padding. Some of the adhesives used under vinyl sheet goods and linoleum can also emit VOCs. Concrete floors, stained with nontoxic pigments, do not emit harmful VOCs. In fact, VOC emissions from concrete building products are much lower than those for most other building materials, according to the Portland Cement Association.

Controlling Allergens with Concrete Floors

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Concrete floors are easy to clean and simple dusting or mopping greatly improves indoor air quality.

Controlling Allergens with Concrete Floors

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Find out why the prevention of mold growth in homes, offices, and retail shops is so important.

Carpet can also be a major source of mold, especially if it becomes wet and the moisture isn't removed completely. Exposure to toxic mold in homes and buildings has been blamed for ailments ranging from headaches to severe respiratory infections and immune system disorders. Mold can thrive on any organic material, especially in warm, moist, humid conditions. Concrete floors won't support the growth of toxic mold.

Concrete floors are an allergy friendly option because they don't harbor allergens, are easy to clean, and provide limitless decorative options. Make sure that your concrete floors are finished properly with a VOC free sealer and you will have a gorgeous floor that will help you find relief from common household allergens.

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