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Dec 22, 2014
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Formaldehyde & Your Home

Those of us old enough to remember Marcia Brady writing a letter to Davy Jones which ultimately leads to her going to prom with him are also likely to remember when wood paneling was fashionable home decor.  There’s more than one reason this trend has fallen by the wayside.  In addition to being outdated, wood paneling also contains formaldehyde which can pose a threat to the air quality in your home.  Just because the 1970’s are over doesn’t mean that the threat of formaldehyde in your home is a non issue.  Here’s what you need to know to minimize the risk to your family.

What is Formaldehyde? Formaldehyde is used in countless products for the purpose of acting as a bonding agent.  It can also be created as other chemicals break down.  It is considered a volatile organic compound (VOC).  These types of compounds become a gas at room temperature and can release unhealthy chemicals into the air which are then inhaled by those around it. The more formaldehyde that is emitted into the air, the more of a health risk it poses.

What Type of Products is Formaldehyde Found In?

  • Particle board
  • Plywood
  • Builder grade furniture and cabinets
  • Varnish
  • Paint
  • Wallpaper
  • Permanent press bedding

What are the Side Effects of Formaldehyde Exposure?

The side effects of formaldehyde exposure vary widely by the amount and duration of exposure.  Severity of symptoms also varies person to person.  Symptoms include watery eyes, runny nose and burning sensations in the throat, eyes and nose.  Because these symptoms imitate those of the common cold and allergies, it can be difficult to identify them as symptoms of formaldehyde exposure.  Higher concentrations of exposure can lead to nausea, headaches, coughing & wheezing, rashes and chest tightness.  While there are no scientific studies proving formaldehyde causes cancer in humans, it has been demonstrated that high levels of formaldehyde exposure causes cancer in lab rats.

How Can I Reduce my Formaldehyde Exposure at Home?

While it would be nearly impossible to create a home environment free of formaldehyde, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the exposure.

  • Opt for real wood in cabinets and flooring, as opposed to builder grade materials.
  • Regularly maintain your chimney & wood stove so that smoke is directed outdoors as much as possible.
  • Opt for low or non VOC paints when possible
  • Forego wallpaper
  • Opt for cotton, instead of permanent press sheets which contain formaldehyde
Reviews

We Strive for 100% Customer Satisfaction

Delivering exceptional service is our No. 1 priority. Read these happy reviews from homeowners who were blown away by their home improvement experience with Lindus Construction.

"I was very impressed that Lindus sent a safety inspector on day one and a quality inspector at the end. I did not expect this but sincerely appreciate this attention to detail. All of this demonstrates how Lindus stands by its work and differentiates Lindus from other firms. I would definitely consider Lindus for any future exterior needs."

Debbie E.
Plymouth, MN
February 27, 2024

"Over the past 18 years and 4 separate major home improvement projects, Lindus Construction has exceeded every one of our family’s expectations on each of these projects. Whenever anyone invests in home improvement, the homeowner’s concerns ultimately center on several critical factors: the ultimate quality of the final product, ease of working with the firm, honest communication and relationships, craftsmanship of the employees, timeliness, service after the sale, and of course, a manageable investment cost. We are proud to say that the Lindus team has been an outstanding partner in improving our house’s function, appearance, and market value."

Jim G.
Chanhassen, MN
February 8, 2024

"I did two big projects in 2023 with Lindus. First was removing and replacing attic insulation plus creating proper ventilation. Second was replacing roof and adding LeafGuard®. Did everything go perfectly? No but that is where a company shows its merits. All issues were resolved! I even received a check for unused supplies. I highly recommend Lindus. They are not the cheapest. You get what you pay for."

Jill D.
St. Paul, MN
December 14, 2023

"Lindus Construction is a company that provides the best possible workmanship, professionalism and customer service for each and every project. Lindus Construction is a great choice for roofing, siding, windows, doors, decking and LeafGuard® Gutter projects or any combination of those projects. Small jobs such as garden sheds to large homeowner associations with multiple buildings they are able to handle it."

Kelly P.
River Falls, WI
December 4, 2023

"We are quite pleased with the way our project went. The Lindus folks have successfully managed to instill a culture of quality and customer service in throughout the entire business, which is rare these days.  Everyone we worked with carried that same attitude of wanting to do it right and make us happy. The installation went well and we are very satisfied."

Tim M.
Minneapolis, MN
June 20, 2023

"Thorough, timely, efficient, good communicators. Excellent work, cleaned up well and took care of a few extra details without any hassle."

Carla U.
Minneapolis, MN
May 17, 2023

"Your services and products are wonderful!  (And we have used Lindus three times now). The crews were gracious and hard-working."

Alan W.
St. Paul, MN
May 11, 2023

"I would just like to compliment Randahl for excellent work and customer service skills.  Every time he was at our home, he was professional, thorough, extremely pleasant, and explained things well.  You are very lucky to have such an outstanding employee!"

Vicki F.
Blaine, MN
March 25, 2023

"Great job. Workers were friendly and cleaned up everything when they were done. They stopped to tell me they were ready to work and checked in when they were done."

Carolyn I.
Andover, MN
March 16, 2023

"This company has all ways been honest with us, took care of us and their workmanship is second to none."

Michael N.
Rosemount, MN
March 13, 2023

"Very professional, super quality work, everyone was very pleasant, would highly recommend, will continue to use Lindus for all future projects."

Chuck V.
Chaska, MN
February 18, 2023

"Service and work were excellent; thank you!"

Ron B.
Burnsville, MN
January 19, 2023

"The technician worked very efficiently and put in long hours to get the job done. Excellent work and we were very grateful."

Pam L.
Oakdale, MN
January 12, 2023

"I have used Lindus in the past and they once again, gave me excellent service. They stand behind their products and service. I have referred them to many friends."

Susan B.
St. Paul, MN
January 6, 2023

"We have had them do work at our home before and at my parents' house. They did great work!"

Sue R.
St. Croix Falls, WI
January 3, 2023

"The two young men that did the install were great.  They were personal and appeared very conscientious."

Jim H.
St. Anthony, MN
December 30, 2022

"Always polite and considerate. Last inspection was a quality control and I was impressed with him and his thorough inspection. Great job!"

Irene S.
Bloomington, MN
December 20, 2022

"We had a great experience with Lindus. The communication has been great. When I had a question I received a return email or phone call quickly. When Lindus employees were at our home, they explained what they were doing in great detail, my questions were always satisfactory answered. I will gladly continue to refer Lindus to friends and neighbors."

Roger D.
Shoreview, MN
November 29, 2022

"I highly recommend Lindus Construction. I have used them for three projects over the last few years and they are easy to contact, the people are friendly and they do very high quality work. Don’t hesitate to use Lindus for your next project."

Darrell M.
Lino Lakes, MN
June 9, 2022
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