tub resurfacing fumes apartment

Perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, and residential or commercial tubs, sinks, showers. According to OSHA, you must also provide local exhaust ventilation and make-up air to replace the vapors removed by the exhaust. There is an incredible amount of data They know where people bathe. Thank you! The home I purchased a few years ago came with cast iron bathtub and ceramic tile walls that had been covered with a 2-step epoxy finish. I am linking an article from the Retro Renovation blog on safety that includes links to other sources on this. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. http://retrorenovation.com/2016/05/02/understanding-potential-lead-hazards-old-porcelain-enamel-bathtubs-sinks-ceramic-tile-any-age/#ixzz47UvHcM00. CDC twenty four seven. You should ask the installer to check that the product was applied correctly. These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. Open the bathroom door and as many . Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Does anyone know if I should be worried? Methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). We sure take a lot things for granted. In our blog we state that methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). I manage a home related business in Australia and we are often exposed to applications that we are unsure of what dangers we could be exposed to. ), [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says Dan DiClerico, HomeAdvisor'ssmart home strategistand home expert. 9 Easy Steps to Refinish Your Bathtub | Lowe's Sad to hear, but at least proves to me that I was right! Thank you for sharing this useful information. We'll put an entirely new finish over the existing tub or tile in your bathroom. According to the Centers of Disease Control, more than half a million children ages 1-5 in the U.S. have blood lead levels high enough to damage their health. Saving Lives, Protecting People, Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers, http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General, http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA, http://retrorenovation.com/2016/05/02/understanding-potential-lead-hazards-old-porcelain-enamel-bathtubs-sinks-ceramic-tile-any-age/#ixzz47UvHcM00, https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html, http://jwcpropertyservices.co.uk/bathtub-refinishing-dangers/, https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/indoor-air-quality-apartments, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. A person directly outside the door and 30 seconds could have saved our best friends life. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. These cookies perform functions like remembering presentation options or choices and, in some cases, delivery of web content that based on self-identified area of interests. Comments listed below are posted by individuals not associated with CDC, unless otherwise stated. HomeAdvisors True Cost Guide puts the average cost to refinish a bathtub at about $450, while installing a new one runs about $3,000. I started reading articles and ended up reading most of the comments in this blog. Not worth it. Methylene chloride, a new chlorinated solvent, is usually a risky, without color liquid having a sweet-smelling smell. What separates a good job from a not-so-good job is not so much how it looks, its the prep. I wish I discovered this post a few weeks earlier. The vapors should subside after awhile and you should not be able to smell the strong odor. sprayed with materials that emit fumes which may be hazardous to the tenant's health if inhaled in the working concentration within the first 4-6 hours after completion of the job. What are the effects of being in the house during the process (for our pets) and after the process (chemical wise around our kids). Pacific Reglazing provides high quality, affordable kitchen and bathroom repair and refinishing services throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, the San Fernando Valley, Ventura, Orange County and Riverside County. Right now, I am surrounded by vacant apartments, and the new owner is reglazing all of the tubs. Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. During the entire refinishing process, the room should be adequately ventilated to protect workers. Effective ventilation would have to be ensured in order to shield the worker from toxic fumes of the process. Ask Sam: Will the U.S. Supreme Court end rent stabilization? How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment? Everything You Need to Know About Bathtub Refinishing Hello Im Derrick I used this last night now this morning Im sick as a dog headache stomachache am throwing up I didnt use a mask. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. My apartment complex refinished nicks in tub. Coatings suitable for bathtub reglazing include: You can use these materials on several surfaces, including acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, and fiberglass bathtubs. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. If methylene chloride is used, ensure that the room is adequately ventilated during the entire refinishing process. My apartment manager refinished my bathtub about 2 1/2 years ago instead of buying a new one. It took me a little bit to get used to, and while it doesn't look super cool, it's clean and an upgrade from the '90s pink tile for sure.. Its good to know that if you have your bathtub reglazed, you much have proper ventilation. I do home remodeling in Dallas, and many homeowners want to try to salvage some tubs, which is cost effective for some, but certainly a chemical risk for the workers and I would think the homeowners need to be made aware of this type of chemical being used in their home. I stayed home all day, working around the house because there were two workers and didnt want to leave strangers in my home. What is this stuff? Is Bathtub Refinishing Safe? | Tub Reglazing Fumes & Safety - Angi The bath was not stripped just resurfaced with a very thin layer of the napco product paint. And, are there any substances that are dangerous and can later leach into bath water and be absorbed by the skin? Is it safe to stay???? I used this kit 6 weeks ago. I do home remodeling in Dallas, and many homeowners want to try to salvage some tubs, which is cost effective for some, but certainly a chemical risk for the workers and I would think the homeowners need to be made aware of this type of chemical being used in their home. Hovering over a bathtub, unprotected, while stripping it would overtake anyone in a very short amount of time. Thanks! The prep is the most important part of the job, says White. We have had a terrible experience. I would also like to issue one other caveat. In order to assess learn more about the products that are being used for the re-glazing, assess the air quality of your apartment, prevent exposure or remediate any hazards, seek assistance from the building owner or manager. Tub Cast Ekopel 2K Bathtub Refinishing Kit - Made In The USA - Odorless Pros will have the correct gear, knowledge of how to ventilate the space and protect themselves, and familiarity with the various chemicals used so you dont need to worry about keeping yourself safe. It is an odd sized bathtub so I did not even consider ordering a replacement custom-made. A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. Refinishing Porcelain & Fiberglass Bathtub Reglazing/Refinishing Service. Last night I went to bed with a headache, then vomited on and off throughout the night. Winter renters lose leverage, questions for condo and co-op buyers, & more, The allure of tax abatements, a Chelsea affordable housing lottery, & more, Co-ops may have some 'splaining to do, renting a penthouse, & more. Thanks for the post on this. I have been in hat business for 20 years. It is definitely a good idea to ventilate the area as much as possible to remove the residual vapors. I take epsom salt baths and the salts are absorbed systemically. Personally the bathtub reglazing odor resembles the aroma of a room after it has been painted and therefore the fragrance will keep within the facility for up to 2 days, this is not body odor we are . To ensure their safety, the employees should have left the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. Thank you for your comment. I did two tubs in old houses yesterday. If you just bought a Mercedes, would you put a rubber mat on the roof? White asks. Very helpful and will definitely be one of the things to look out for on my rehabs.. Great article. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. CDR Hall is the Deputy Branch Chief of the Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch in the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology. Publication number 81-8c-2013. Those DIY kits are not cutting it. Overwhelming toxic fumes from renovations on a neighbor's apartment What a great reminder to always plan for and wear personal protective equipment. Just trying to speak up for low income and maybe other apartment dwellers too. Surface Designers have been in business for over 20 years resurfacing bathtubs and countertops. I regret it so much now and want the tub out of the house. At Specialized Refinishing, we have a team of highly experienced, certified refinishing and reglazing technicians who can restore and revitalize a wide variety of surfaces and fixtures in your rental property or before you put a house on the market. The fumes are stronger fumes so we do not allow anyone to be in the apartment for 8 hours. Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. I have read reglazing tub reviews where a few customers couldn't take the scent while others had no issue with the bathtub reglazing odor. Its not bad to ask especially if we dont know anything about something. There is apparently limited research on this issue, but there are case studies of some children getting lead poisoning from bathing in an old bathtub that was leaching lead. It is amazing that I get over 100 hits per month on the article from homeowners who are fumed out during and after refinishing. Im not familiar with the Australian occupational health and safety system but you might want to start with Safe Work Australia http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA . Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed. Specifically, typical mobile LEV units have a fan, flexible ductwork, and a hood near the tub that exhausts hazardous vapors to the outdoors. It was a cold day, so I went back inside. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. So glad I read this. refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. Your new bathroom's finish won't have any . I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. Please do not use a torch either The fumes will kill use. But if we get together as a group of experienced bathtub refinishers I am positive that we can come up with a simple solution that will keep us safe. It gives me hope to see that some commenters are specialists who are trying to recreate safer and more effective processes that will phase out use of this agent. This Northern California real estate agent is living the green Dream. Your blog has provided useful information for the work. Kimberly Evans. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. Most professionals use alternative methods when possible. Is that legal? Also you should understand between difference between Refinishing (without removing the old layer first) and Reglazing (stripping off the previous coating and sanding down the tub) a Bathtub. However, the human body can quickly become desensitized to the smell and a worker may be overexposed even if he or she can no longer smell it. OSHAs Methylene Chloride standard (29 CFR 1910.1052) requires employers to test the air to determine the concentration of methylene chloride present in the air when a product containing methylene chloride is used (29 CFR 1910.1052(d)). Melissa. We work a lot with paints and try to stay abreast of the dangers when working with chemicals, solvents and paint compounds. He was formally pronounced brain dead at the hospital, the same day of the incident. PDF Acute Lung Disease from Bathtub Refinishing - University of California I worked at [Company name removed] for 14years. Opening windows and moving away from areas with vapors can decrease or stop continued exposure. Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. I found out the hard way. It's also possible to injure yourself if the product comes in contact with the skin. Thank you for the great information. Even a tiny bit? I used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub. Weve added a resource to try and educate those who are using these processes and offered a number of safer alternatives to using substances other than methylene chloride here: http://jwcpropertyservices.co.uk/bathtub-refinishing-dangers/. Hello Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. Is it safe to bath in especially for my toddler??? Bathtub Refinishing matters should be left to professionals to complete. *Note that there are reports that a fresh air system is . It's a multi-step process that involves cleaning the tub thoroughly and sanding it to remove any soap scum or other particles, and repairing cracks or worn areasall of these imperfections will affect the quality and durability of the final finishing coat. Opening the windows is necessary, but it's certainly not enough if you're working with methylene chloride. Thank you for this post. It was heart breaking. Ive asked for a materials data sheet and nothing. We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing. There are bathtub refinishing companies out there, [company name removed] are using safe processes for refinishing your bathtub, you just have to ask the tough questions. Our apartment building had the next apt tub realized these morons did this in winter and there was no windows open. Not sure if it can come through the walls. I have an article on my site entitled Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous. Remember, if it smells new, the fumes are too. Fatal Exposure to Methylene Chloride Among Bathtub Refinishers United After most fumes and smell went away two days later i still had muscle pain and spasms all over, headache, very sick and weak, skin burned and stung, could feel it in my lungs. That is pretty serious stuff. Why is this not part of a home inspection, when you move into a house, built in 1950? You may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. Your email address will not be published. And again, dont be afraid to ask. Thanks if you reply. Now what about substances that are used in bathtub refinishing as final top-coats such as Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane, or, another, as one company advertises: Porcelain Glaze-a new type of chemical finish. What is porcelain glaze? This is a moderated site and your comments will be reviewed before they are posted. White uses a portable fume exhauster, and HVLP, or high-volume, low-pressure sprayers, which produce less overspray. I repaired the tile finish as best I could and covered it with 123 primer and latex kitchen/bath paint by mohair brush. THANK YOU! If you are concerned about the smells, you could seek help from your local health department. /box. I wish I had read this blog before the procedure. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. We use a spray-on compound that hardens to a polished and durable, like-new finish. The company who gave me 6 year warranty has disconnected the phone number. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad. information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any Great information. How much should you renovate your NYC apartment before selling it? We had it done over a year ago, and even with ventilation, I was outside in January feezing temps. My little dog had trouble breathing during the night and I had to go to urgent care for a chest xray. I had my bathroom resurfaced including the bathtub 4 weeks ago. Second tub went smoother because I had a window to open for air circulation. Half-mask respirators may NOT be used because methylene chloride may cause eye irritation or damage. very useful post thanks for giving this bath tub repair information. Located at [http://www.refinishersonline.com] and I helped in two the studies before this report was finalized. Thanks for sharing such a helpful post. After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. NIOSH has continued to try to get the word out to workers and employers about the risks of working with methylene chloride. I have 2 small kids and an infant. Do fumes from reglazing a bathtub/shower make an apartment If the room where it was used is flushed with fresh air, perhaps by using a small fan, it is unlikely that any methylene chloride will be present or continue to leech out days after the re-glazing was done. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. This is horrible People please do not use these DIY kits. Why? From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. A great thanks to you to let us know about the fact. Finding a Miracle Method office. Takes longer and cost more but the client can pay the labor or feel free to do it themselves. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. What to know about adding skylights to your NYC brownstone or apartment, How to evaluate different types of NYC contractor bids when you're renovating, New Yorkers moving out of state save more money on housing than taxes, 5 houses for sale in Margaretville, NY, a small town in the Catskills, 5 houses for sale in Sagaponack, the most expensive zip code in NY. Let the physician or health care professional know the specific products and chemicals used and the environment you were working in. If they continue, you should consult your doctor. I wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). Do-it-yourself bathtub refinishing kits and professional refinishing products alike are not to be inhaled or absorbed by your skin. The maintenance man telephoned 911 and then a second maintenance man. If those working with these finishes have concerns about their health they can request a Health Hazard Evaluation from NIOSH at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/. Its like trying to paint a car yourself. Care must be taken to ensure that workers are not overexposed to particulates being generated during sanding operations. If your bathtub is on the older side, then youll need to determine whether its worthwhile to refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. The restrictions on placing on the market and use is a consequence of many incidents with lethal outcome. Karma: 3. If you have concerns you should discuss them with a medical professional. A bathtub in our old home was reglazed a few weeks ago. We cannot provide individual medical advice on the NIOSH Science Blog, but we suggest that you see a doctor. Also my bedroom windows are both open, and that door is closed as well. I think this blog is very helpful in knowing about the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products.We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing.Thanks a lot for sharing. However, we have no information about the risks that might arise to the resident from exposure to the flaking surface of the refinished tub. Patrick. NYC Renovation Chronicles: 5 ways to save on your bathroom renovation, Renovating a co-op? I think this type of finish should be banned. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. Whether your tub is refinished or reglazed depends on whether or not the old coating was removed before putting a new layer of epoxy or another coating. As exposure increases so do the health effects, with a potential for suffocation, loss of consciousness, coma, and sudden death. Himmelstein McConnell Gribben & Joseph LLP. Anyone who is curious to try alternatives to MC-based strippers are encouraged to read these small business success stories. Sometimes, you may need to refinish your bathtub which requires chemical coating with special kind of brush or roller to an acrylic, porcelain, fiberglass, or cultured marble bathtub. However, during the refinishing process, it is not possible for us to guess what the airborne concentration of methylene chloride may be in your home without knowing how the workers will be using methylene chloride and how they plan to ventilate the work area and the house. Hello. This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. Awsome and useful informations too, thanks for sharing this educational post! I dont know of incidents that may have occurred, buy you can never be too careful with peoples lives. I will stress this to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. Thank you. We do not tread lightly, so I think we are a good example to work off of in terms of durability., Of the overall aesthetic, particularly the walls, she says: If you look closely, it's a little weird as you see the indent of the grout lines, but it's all one texture.

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