ᐅ Toxic odor after installing engineered oak hardwood flooring

Hello

I have the following problem: a new prefinished oak parquet floor was installed in my apartment. Previously, there was a stretch carpet underneath. During the glue application, there must have been a very strong, toxic smell from the adhesive (according to the building caretaker who was on site). When I moved in, this smell was still lingering in the walls. I immediately opened the windows and balcony doors wide and aired out the apartment with cross-ventilation for eight weeks. That means, I tried… but the smell is still almost as strong as before. 🙁

I then asked the flooring installer what kind of adhesive or surface treatment he had used. He said he “had to check” – after two days he replied: Sempacol 850 P was used as the adhesive, and a wax polish by Bauwerk for the initial maintenance. At first, I suspected the wax polish because it contains 15% raw gasoline as a solvent. However, from what I read elsewhere, this solvent should evaporate relatively quickly. After about two weeks of continuous airing, it should be gone.

Then, a different flooring installer visited me, and I explained the problem. As soon as he entered the apartment, he immediately sensed that something was wrong. He suspected that this was not a harmless dispersion adhesive (as Sempacol 850 P is supposed to be), but rather a so-called “hybrid adhesive” – a multi-purpose product containing strong chemicals. He advised me to take a sample of the adhesive and have it tested by an expert (perhaps Mr. Stenzel?). Is this possible here?

I am quite desperate about this issue. I have also developed a dry, irritating cough. I no longer sleep in the bedroom but in the kitchen. I have even inquired about another apartment with the building management. After all, I do not want to be slowly poisoned. Where can I get advice?

Thank you very much in advance!

Hello,
I also suspect unplanned chemical reactions; I put it this way because this odor can originate not only from the adhesive itself but also from a reaction between the adhesive and the substrate (pre-treatment, primer, filler compound, etc.).

I have encountered a similar case before; after thorough investigation, it turned out that one component of the adhesive was incompatible with a component of the filler.

It would be advisable to take a sample and have it analyzed. Solvents (especially the less volatile ones, as seems to be the case here) can cause nerve damage.
It may also be helpful to involve the manufacturer. That way, Collano will be motivated to ensure that their product Sempacol 850 P is not associated with increased solvent exposure.

Hello Mr. Hertweck,

Thank you very much for your suggestion! I will follow up on this matter through this approach after all...

Kassandra33