Browse Forums Flooring & Floor Covering Re: Will the new timber floor finishes affect my pregnant wife? 3Oct 15, 2008 11:33 am Someone I know had a solvent based finish applied to her timber floor. It was high for at least two weeks. These finishes can be very toxic. To minimise risk, ONLY use water based finishes, and have no soft furnishing in the house at the time if you can. After a day or two of drying, open the house and ventilate lots to allow fumes to dissipate. It should be OK after two weeks from the last coat, but if it smells still, its best for your wife not to live there. Best wishes with everything.
Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Will the new timber floor finishes affect my pregnant wife? 4Oct 15, 2008 12:24 pm Thanks a lot guys for your reply!
I will definitely use water-based coat if we do the floor. Still wondering if anyone here has used water-based finishes and could share some of your experience. Thanks Re: Will the new timber floor finishes affect my pregnant wife? 5Oct 15, 2008 7:34 pm The newer European made water-based polyurethanes are very good and almost as tough as the oil-based poly's.
Your wife would still probably need about 3 days out of the house. Re: Will the new timber floor finishes affect my pregnant wife? 6Oct 15, 2008 8:14 pm ozfish, talk to your obstetrician or midwife or GP, they should be able to advise you as well.
The other concern is if your wife has morning sickness - if there is any lingering smell it may set it off for her. It certainly would have done this for me, thankfully those days are over now Congrats too on pregnancy, is it your first?? Re: Will the new timber floor finishes affect my pregnant wife? 7Oct 15, 2008 8:47 pm Dukekamaya Your wife would still probably need about 3 days out of the house. 3 days every week or just first3 days to let it dry? We have two weeks to do the floor while we can stay in the current house. Thanks! Re: Will the new timber floor finishes affect my pregnant wife? 8Oct 15, 2008 8:57 pm albi ozfish, talk to your obstetrician or midwife or GP, they should be able to advise you as well. The other concern is if your wife has morning sickness - if there is any lingering smell it may set it off for her. It certainly would have done this for me, thankfully those days are over now Congrats too on pregnancy, is it your first?? Thanks. It is our first kid after several months' 'hard-work'. Good idea. I will talk to our obstetrician to seek her advice as well. I really appreciated all your input. Re: Will the new timber floor finishes affect my pregnant wife? 9Oct 15, 2008 10:10 pm The fumes of a freshly coated floor can be very strong resulting in headaches if staying indoors with it for long periods over the first couple of weeks so I wouldn't recommend her staying in that environment for a few weeks just to be sure. Re: Will the new timber floor finishes affect my pregnant wife? 10Oct 15, 2008 10:33 pm Hi Ozfish,
I am just over 7 months pregnant and our floors have just been finished (2-pac finish or whatever the high gloss chemical one is called!). our floor guy told me to stay away for at least 2 days (ie; not even visit the house) but to keep visits short for another 3 or so days after that. I did go past on day 2 (but stayed outside) and even from there I could 'feel' the effect of the fumes. From day 4 after they finished the polishing I could be in the house for short periods without feeling 'funny'. he said it was fine to be around the house after sanding (before polishing) but to be honest there was still a certain smell about the house that made me want to stay away! good luck with the pregnancy! Helen Re: Will the new timber floor finishes affect my pregnant wife? 12Oct 16, 2008 7:54 am thanks donuts! hopefully will be in the house in 2 weeks, finish work in 4 and then baby due in 8! that's of course if all goes to plan!!
Helen Re: Will the new timber floor finishes affect my pregnant wife? 13Oct 16, 2008 8:27 pm Thanks guys for your reply. I think we will delay the project just to be sure...
I also called my obstetrician and thats her advice as well. to MaylandsManor, congrats! And stay away from your new place for the next two weeks! Re: Will the new timber floor finishes affect my pregnant wife? 14Oct 16, 2008 10:09 pm I don't recall a particularly strong odour from our water-based finish - and I'm pretty sensitive to these things.
However, have been in a house one week after a solvent-based finish has been applied and boy - did I not want to be there! Re: Will the new timber floor finishes affect my pregnant wife? 15Oct 18, 2008 7:50 pm ozfish Dukekamaya Your wife would still probably need about 3 days out of the house. 3 days every week or just first3 days to let it dry? We have two weeks to do the floor while we can stay in the current house. Thanks! Around three - four days for the fumes to go - depending on ventilation. It would be around 1 - 1 1/2 weeks for an oil based finish. Engineering timber is certainly a less fuss option, times cheaper to supply and install and better withstands humidity. 1 11502 The most likely cause of your timber swelling (parquetry?) is either a plumbing leak or carelessly leaving water on floors after use or both. Without seeing, i am ignoring… 1 2578 Thank you. Do I use timber floorboards for stairs or do people use timber treads? Or is both the same? 6 3808 |