(Intro)

As you can see, we have marked off an area that is approximately 20in by 20in. And the idea here is to have a good clean and smooth surface inside this perimeter. So we need to brush it off, sweep it off, maybe even have to rub a little sand paper on there, something like that to get all the debris off that you can, and it might be a little bit of a dusty job so you will want to be prepared to take the steps necessary to keep it as clean as possible and not to be breathing in all that dust. But in the end, you do want a nice clean, smooth surface.

What I’m holding here is the actual calcium chloride test and what comes with that inside of here, is the dish with the test materials inside and we are going to pop that open here in a just a second. But you also get kind of an amber colored plastic dome that has some self-adhesive tape on there that we will eventually put over the dish.

So, what we are going to do right now, (opens dish package). What we’re doing here is removing the dish, and the top side you’ll see has some printing on it. And its also covered, or sealed up I should say, with some black electrical tape. And you want to leave that on there for the time being. The idea here is to place this on the scale, so you can get a reading, I guess you could call it a dry reading of the ingredients. And this one weighs 30 grams.

Really any common scale will work. If you have a food scale, maybe you have a postage scale, that will work just fine. But always remember to follow the test kit manufacturers recommendations.

So very simply, now that you have your weight. The idea here is to remove the black plastic tape from the dish. And we have already removed the protective little pieces here on your self-adhesive strips. The black plastic tape simply goes on the inside top of the dome, we will use this later. Now that we have that done, its just a simple matter of being very careful not to spill any of the contents here, set the dish down like so. Take your plastic dome, simply put it on top of here (plastic dish) and seal down the edges. And go enjoy yourself for 60-72 hours.

Remember, in your basement you need to maintain a relative humidity of somewhere between 40 and 60 percent.

It is imperative that you test 3 times for the first 1000 square feet in the area that you are working in. Now also please remember for each additional 1000 square feet you are going to need to perform an additional test. We are in a rather large area right here and we have already put a test over on the other side of the room that we are going to show you in a minute and that test has been there for about 72 hours. So, lets go take a look at what happened.

Now it’s time to open up this dome to access the dish that’s inside, without disturbing the dish. And to do that, we’re just going to simply, make a cut, right here, (diagonally across the square dome). Now that we have made our cut, we’re going to carefully reach inside, and pull out the dish, being very careful not to spill any of the contents. Before we weigh any contents of the dish, we want to make sure that its sealed up with the black plastic tape that was stuck to the underside of that amber colored dome.

Now what we’ll do, is simply place it on the scale, and the scale is set to grams. And we can see that our weight has showed up. So now that we have gotten to this point, you can either follow the formula on the screen, or for those us that are maybe a little math challenged, you can access the website of the test manufacturer and most of them will provide you with a little calculator there where you can get the results you are looking for.

So, what do we know now? Well what we know now is we have the right information to make an educated decision as to what flooring products you are going to need to use in the environment that you are working in MP global has a great product selection tool if you have questions about our products, or how to use them.

(Outro)

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  • The tough exterior layer and resin coating of laminated floors make them very durable. This type of flooring lasts between 15 and 25 years. Laminated flooring also endures exposure to high heels, cats, dogs, and even kids. They are also easier to clean than carpets and less likely to experience weather damage. These features and their other benefits make them a favorite among homeowners. Have you decided to switch up your carpeted floors for laminated flooring? If so, be careful to install your laminate floors properly to get the most performance and longevity out of your new floors.

    Consider the Carpet Pile Thickness

    The type of carpet already in use will determine if removal is necessary before installing laminate floors. Carpets are generally categorized as high-pile, medium pile, or low-pile. Low-pile carpets, usually less than a quarter-inch in height, are those commonly utilized in hotel rooms, air and bus aisle ways, and for other commercial applications. If your carpet is low-pile and is generally flat and in good condition, your laminate can be properly installed on top of the existing floors. It is important to remember that a high quality underlayment will still better serve your flooring than low-pile carpet overall.

    Medium-pile carpets are usually between a quarter-inch and a half-inch in thickness. High-pile carpets are thicker, from half-inch to ¾ inch in thickness. Medium and high-pile carpets are mostly used as plush flooring in living rooms and bedrooms of residential homes. These types of carpets should not have laminated floors installed over them as they will not provide enough stability to support your floor. Their thickness will affect the locking systems between individual planks, making the floor uneven or can result in damage as well.

    Can I lay Laminate Flooring on Carpet Underlay?

    Another question you have probably considered is, can you lay laminate flooring on top of carpet underlay? The carpet underlay usually acts as a shock absorber and enables carpets to recover or bounce back when exposed to footfall and heavy wear. The underlay will therefore prevent your pile from becoming flat and help your carpet look presentable for a longer duration.

    Although you may try to reduce your expenses by using the carpet underlay for your laminated floors, this is harmful in the long-term. When you are removing the carpet, you must remove everything until you reach the sub-floor. This removal is because the carpet underlay is too thick to properly support the newly installed laminate.

    In general, the underlay for laminate flooring is between 1mm and 3mm thick, while most carpet underlays are around 8mm to 10mm thick. This thick padding would not offer proper support to the laminated floors, possibly damaging your floors. The added height will interfere with the interlocking of the individual laminate planks, leading to a poor fit or a short-lived floor finishing.

    To ensure that the laminated floors can be correctly installed, both the carpet and carpet underlay should be removed, and the sub-floor should be smooth and free of debris. Removing all of these will give your laminate flooring a smooth and seamless surface.

    Can I Use Carpet Under Vinyl Flooring

    Installing vinyl floors is also common as this flooring is durable, comfortable, and easy to install and clean. Vinyl floors are also good for homes with heavy foot traffic. The vinyl reduces noises, which can be a great advantage for large families with kids and pets. Nonetheless, the great question is, can you use carpet underlay under vinyl flooring?

    As carpet underlays are generally thicker than what is needed, reaching up to 10 mm in thickness, it would not be advisable to install vinyl over it. Having this thick underlay under the vinyl will make the flooring unstable. Reusing your carpet underlay will make the floor too bouncy; hence it will not be stable when placing your vinyl tiles. Luxury Vinyl planks click-lock systems will also be jeopardized with too much cushion.

    You can have an underlay used for your vinyl floors. Having the appropriate vinyl underlayment can help eliminate noise, provide a cushion to the floor, add thermal properties, and provide moisture protection to your floors, making them more durable. However, the appropriate thickness for this underlay is 2mm or less. This thickness ensures that the vinyl can properly interlock during installation.

    Final Considerations

    Instead of trying to save a little money in the short-term and risking all of your hard work installing a new floor, take the time to do it right. Remove the carpet and carpet underlay and install the proper underlay for the type of flooring you are installing. You will appreciate the long-lasting durability and esthetic appeal that your new floors will add to your home or business.

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  • Floor Heating has grown in popularity over the last two decades. This growth has derived from improvements in floor heating like improved safety, efficiency, pricing, and ease of installation. Many systems are often installed in kitchens and bathrooms, where water and electric floor mats could be a dangerous combination. This ushers the question “are heated floors dangerous?” We cannot speak for all electric floor heating manufacturers, but in our case yes, QuietWarmth electric radiant heating systems are safe. QuietWarmth is UL listed, ETL listed, and offers a 25 year warranty all to help ensure the safety of our products.

    Will Heated Floors Shock Me?

    The odds of the heated floors shocking you are little to none. Our entire heating systems went through a thorough research and development process to ensure we are providing the safest product for our customers. QuietWarmth’s wires are surrounded by a durable sheath. Preventing any current leakage from reaching the floor. The systems have been UL and ETL approved meaning both the wires, and the conductive heat mats meet the national safety standards. Since the conductive ink mats are thinner than a credit card, you don’t have to worry about them raising your floor. Your flooring will not affect the mats negatively either.

    Will Heated Floors get too Hot?

    If radiant floor heating becomes too hot, it has been known to damage flooring and become uncomfortable to live on. We specifically engineered QuietWarmth to not exceed 85 degrees F. This way it is incapable of reaching a potentially dangerous temperature. Since QuietWarmth uses conductive ink technology, the heat is evenly distributed. Systems that use electrical wires running through mesh mats are more prone to leaving hot and cold spots.

    QuietWarmth vs Radiant Mesh Mat

    Can Heated Floors Short Circuit?

    In a worst case scenario, if the system becomes damaged, would it pose a risk of a short circuit of the system? No, QuietWarmth thermostats have a built-in ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), that will automatically cut-off power if a breach is detected. National electric code requires electric radiant floor heating systems to be protected by a GFCI. The thermostats also come with a 10′ long floor sensor that allows the thermostat to accurately control the temperature of the floor.

    Heated Floors are Better for Allergies

    Radiant heating does not only give improved comfort, but also improves air quality when compared to other floor heating systems. The mats heat the floor, which then heat up people and objects in the room. Heat given off by the warmed floor gets evenly distributed throughout the room preventing drafts and cold spots. Traditional HVAC systems blow air around the house increasing the movement of dust. Extra dust in the air can be hindering for people with allergies and make breathing more difficult. Conventional systems also reduce the humidity of the room, making the air dry and uncomfortable. Considering all of these reasons, underfloor heating is the go to system for allergy suffers.

    Floors Compatible with QuietWarmth

    You have chose your flooring and have decided to install radiant heat with them. Ultimately, it is best to find your flooring manufacturers installation instructions. They will state if radiant floor heating can be used, and give certain requirements the radiant heating must fall under if radiant heating is allowed. Below is a list of common flooring manufacturers QuietWarmth has been known to work with. Each brand has many different types of flooring, so it is still important to check the installation guide for the specific flooring you are looking at. If you don’t see your brand of flooring in the list below, don’t worry, QuietWarmth fits most floors requirements.

    • LifeProof
    • Pergo
    • Hardwood
    • Mannington
    • Shaw
    • Mohawk
    • Tarkett
    • Lumber Liquidators
    • etc…

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  • When we shop for beds, furniture, or other home decors, the GreenGuard Gold Certifcation logo is popular on some products. It simply means that the product has been tested and certified for low chemical emissions. Usually, we get exposed to chemicals through the air we inhale, mostly indoor air.

    The GreenGuard Environmental Institute (GEI), corporately tailored as GreenGuard, comes as an industry-independent, third-party, and non-profit association. Its main agenda is to help maintain low chemical emissions to the environment. Typically, GEI provides four major certification programs. Three of them deals with the products we purchase for our homes, institutions, and schools. One program involves building certification.

    GEI was first formed in mid-2001 by Air Quality Sciences and operated as an indoor air quality company. Ten years later, it got acquired by the UL Environment. More importantly, all GreenGuard Gold Certifcation are globally known and acknowledged by viable programs and building codes.

    What does GreenGuard Gold Certification mean?

    A product that bears the GreenGuard Certification stamp means that it is best made for indoor uses. In other words, it has been scientifically tested for over 10,000 chemicals and proven to comply with the world’s most strict limits for chemical emissions standards. As a result, indoor air pollution and the risk of chemical exposure get reduced.

    What’s the work of GreenGuard Gold Certifications?

    According to GEI, the rate at which indoor air gets polluted is up to five times higher than that outside. Why? Well, it’s believed that airborne chemicals from furniture, building materials, flawed ventilation systems, and mold dirt contribute to this situation.

    So, a product that bears the GreenGuard Gold Certification mark gets support from a third-party. Besides, all the claims are established by experiential scientific data. In other words, GEI ensures that all the interiors of a home are healthier and safe from toxic chemical emissions. Additionally, companies with GreenGuard Gold Certification are likely to get excellent credibility when making sustainable assertions.

    Basically, the GreenGuard Indoor Air Quality Certification Program pin-points low-emission materials, finishes, and products. Therefore, it maintains quality, safe, and toxic-free indoor settings by reducing exposure to such pollutants. The program also outlines the most stringent guidelines to end the volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.

    How does the GreenGuard Gold Certification process gets conducted?

    For a company to get this fantastic certification, its products must meet the field-authenticated and performance-based standards. As for the case of materials and products, they need to reveal the use of low chemical emission, although this may not be sufficient. That’s why GreenGuard Gold Certification comes in play. Its standards require that all products should be tested yearly for over 10,000 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

    However, the certification process is meant for a diverse range of indoor items and specialists. This includes furniture, flooring underlayments, indoor products, architects, designers, specifiers for products and materials, and builders. All these must meet the rigorous standards for chemical emissions to get the GreenGuard Gold Certification logo.

    Statistically, there are over 200 manufacturers who engage in this certification program willingly. Also, more than 200,000 products get presented in the GreenGuard program. You’ll find all the commodities tested in a well-structured dynamic environmental chamber with temperatures and humidity levels controlled. The products stay in the chamber for one day or a few weeks to understand how many chemicals are eliminated.

    Education Facilities/School-related products

    The GIE institute created a new standard and product certification process in 2005, which acts as an extension of the GreenGuard Indoor Air Quality Certification program. This program mainly focuses on products used at school, K-12, and healthcare institutions.

    Children are more prone to allergies, headaches, and asthma, which may be due to exposure to VOCs. The furniture in classrooms, materials used for construction, and cleaning detergents are the primary sources of VOC emissions in schools.

    So, the only practical and reliable way to maintain a healthy life for children is through this certification program. This is concerned with children’s health, attendance rate, test scores, and productivity.

    That said, it is notable that the GreenGuard Gold Certification was initially referred to as the GreenGuard Children and Schools Certification Program. Typically, it was created by evaluating children’s sensitivity to chemicals and frame structure of schools. That’s why it delivers the most strict product emissions strategy to date for low-chemical emitting materials.

    Why is GreenGuard Gold Certification important?

    Often, chemical emissions come from furniture, cleaning supplies, and other indoor products. And these occur when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in some products splits at room temperature conditions. Since these compounds are carbon-based, they quickly get converted to gases that disappear into the air.

    Therefore, there are about 50 to 100 varieties of VOCs in our indoor spaces, which may be harmful to your health. Most importantly, the health of kids and the elderly in your home. To help prevent these effects on human life, the GreenGuard Gold Certification program is incredibly essential as follows:

    1. It limits the chemical emissions and VOCs from indoor products to the indoor air.
    2. Improves the quality of indoor air by getting rid of toxic elements and compounds.
    3. Ensures that facilities such as healthcare and schools with sensitive people are safe from indoor pollution.
    4. It is beneficial for companies intending to gain a reputation for producing quality and emission-free products.

    Limitations of GreenGuard Gold Certification

    The only challenge with this program it doesn’t always guarantee you 100% clean air. This is because some GreenGuard Gold certified products still emit certain levels of chemicals.

    Therefore, always be sure to unpack your new furniture, mattresses, or other products in an open space to avoid indoor pollution. Please leave them in a place like a garage for a couple of days before you start using them.

    Conclusion

    The GreenGuard Gold certification exists as one of the most remarkable services in the world. It ensures that all the products you have in your home have low chemical emissions. So, choosing products with GreenGuard Gold certification gives you the easiest way to create a healthier indoor space for your office, home, healthcare facility, or institution. In other words, they limit the risk of chemical exposure to your kids and older people at home.

    Want’s more, GreenGuard Gold certification standards are incredibly stringent and highly recognized in the world. Our QuietWarmth product is GeenGuard Gold Certified and therefore, you can always feel confident that these wonderful products meet the highest standards available in your home.

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  • The big question, “Is Electric Floor Heating Expensive to Run?” Electric floor heating can make bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms much more comfortable to live in. Many often assume a big price tag that comes along with heated floors, but that is not always the case. Electric Floor Heating systems are normally very efficient and use as much as or less energy than other floor heating systems.

    Most heated electrical floor systems are more effective than your average space heater. Electric floor heating systems heat emitted and power consumption is fitted to the rooms size for maximum efficiency. On average, electric floor heating systems use 12 watts per hour per square foot, this means a 50 sq. ft. bathroom could be heated at 600 watts an hour. While, if you had to choose a space heater they often come in 1000 and 1500 watt variants. Over heating the room, and using unnecessary electricity.

    What Causes Running Cost to Vary?

    Ultimately, there are a large number of factors to consider when calculating the cost for any heating system. Hopefully these factors explained will give you a better idea of how much electric radiant heat would cost you.

    Electricity Price

    A crucial aspect you need to be considerate of is what price per kilowatt you’re paying for in your area. This can make a very noticeable difference as 100 sq. ft. of heating matts running 24 hrs a day would cost about $33 a month in North Dakota. Where the same square footage and usage time in Connecticut would cost around $75 a month. It is worth a call to your electric company to find out how much they charge per kilowatt in your area.

    To find out your cities average price per kilowatt look at https://www.electricitylocal.com

    Frequency of Use

    In the example before both systems were used each 24 hours a day. Think about how often you would run your system. Just in the mornings? When you get home from work? Consistently in the winter months? This could potentially play a bigger role than the electricity price as running the system in Connecticut mentioned above for 4 hours in the morning would cost $16.32 monthly. Where running the same system for 4 hours in the morning and 6 hours after you get off work would cost $34.11 a month. You might be wondering “how will I run my system at precise increments each day?”. This is where thermostats come into play.

    Room Size

    If you want your electric heating system for not only floor comfort, but to increase the temperature in the room as well room size plays an important role. The bigger the room the longer and hotter you will have to run the matts for the room to heat up, leading to bigger electricity consumption.

    Floor Insulation / Underlayment

    Installing the right insulation for your electric heating system can boost its efficiency! Insulation will prevent any heat that is generated from being lost into the subfloor below. Instead, the heat is pushed upward reaching your floors first and eventually passing on to the room above. Without insulation for your electric heating, you will be looking at longer heat up times and faster cool down times. In turn, forcing you to run your mats for longer, using more electricity.

    A high quality underlayment with a high R-Value can serve as insulation. This way you don’t have to pass up on any of the benefits underlayment can provide, while still getting an insulating barrier. We prefer QuietWalk underlayment because it provides the basic underlayment qualities like moisture protection, compression support, and sound reduction. All while maintaining an R-Value of 0.58.

    Floor Covering

    Finally, the type of floor you choose will affect the efficiency of your electric radiant heating system. Tile and stone make the best flooring to go over radiant heat. This is due to their exceptional conductivity. They tend to warm quickly, yet are also slow to cool. Vinyl makes the next best option because it warms rapidly, but also cools that way too. The floor coverings that will affect the heating systems negatively are hardwood and carpet. They are dense materials that have much slower heat up times, causing your efficiency to drop. Carpet in particular, will act as an insulator and trap the heat underneath.

    Calculating the Electricity Expense of Your Heating

    Most radiant heat manufacturers will have an energy cost calculator provided for their products. You will have to enter the square footage of heating you plan on installing, the cost per kilowatt-hour your electric company charges, and the amount of time per day you will run your system.

    For our examples in this article we used MP Global’s QuietWarmth Calculator.

    Please remember these pricing calculations are approximations for illustrative purposes only. With as many different factors there are for heating specific areas expect your heating costs to vary from ours. Make sure to do plenty of research before deciding on and installing heated flooring in your home!

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