House treated for woodworm and now unliveable due to the chemical smell

Section62

Joedavis said:

WIAWSNB said:

Joedavis said:

WIAWSNB said:

Has it dried? If so, I'd hope that under-carpet lining paper - I think designed to cut down draughts and dust - laid tight against the skirtings, and then underlay and carpet - or whatever your chosen flooring - should sort it.
Was it water or spirit based insecticide? The former often just has a light soapy smell, not unpleasant. The latter will smell more strongly and be far less pleasant, but should largely dissipate once it dries.

I won’t be laying carpets or flooring. The intention was to sand and oil the boards. I realise this may not be possible now after the chemical drenching. So I’m unsure what will be the best next move. 

It has dried but still smells very strong. I think perhaps the company went a bit overboard with the treatment on this occasion so I may speak to them. I’m living in an Airbnb at the moment as the house smells so strong and I can’t see that smell lifting anytime soon. 

Did they literally spray the floorboards, or did they lift and and spray underneath?
If the upper surface had woodworm, is it suitable for keeping bare?
Anyhoo, if they soaked the upper surfaces, then I'd suggest more protection than usual could be required when sanding - an increased grade of dust mask protection, for example.
Will you be DIYing this? If not, I'd inform the sanding co that the boards have been treated, so they can take extra precautions.
Once the floor has been oiled, it'll nigh-on certainly present no more issues for you.

Yes, they doused them top and bottom. And I don’t think there is/was woodworm. I think it was historic damage. I think what I should have done is replaced the few boards with damage and then sanded and oiled. But as you say, probably not a good idea to sand them now as it will grind up a lot of nasty chemicals. I wish I could go back in time and avoid the woodworm treatment altogether. It feels like a big mistake. 

Unlikely to be significantly more 'nasty' than the wood itself.  Yes, wood dusts are being recognised as a 'definite' carcinogen.

Luckily your exposure to either should be minimal if sensible precautions are taken (if you do go ahead with the floor sanding).

born_again

Joedavis said:

marcia_ said:

Joedavis said:

I bought a house a few months ago and there were some signs of woodworm in the floorboards. My father (ex-builder) got several woodworm specialist companies to inspect and they recommended spraying all of the floorboards. I went along with it on the understanding that it was necessary and would only disrupt things for a few days. Now, a week after it was done, there’s a really strong pesticide smell in the house and I’m unable to spend any time there as I find mucous gathers in my throat and I feel ill. 

I’m not sure what to do about this. I have since read about the treatment and I regret not having read more before agreeing to it as I now feel the chemical spraying is heavy handed and unnecessary. And I now feel less keen on the house as it’s been doused in harmful chemicals. 

Is this smell likely to ever go away? I’m thinking of replacing the floorboards in one room at a time. This will be extremely costly but I feel like it might be the only way to get the house liveable again. I also thought that perhaps I should complain to the company that did it as I was told the house would be safe to return to after four hours. I don’t think it’ll be safe to return to after four months, personally. 

 Because you feel uncomfortable after the treatment is not an indication it is not safe. Being there and airing the house out will help. An empty house with all windows closed will extend your discomfort 

I can’t be there because it irritates my throat and gives me headaches. That’s why I wrote this post. I go round each morning to open all the windows. I came on here for advise because the smell isn’t going away. 

Can you not leave the windows open all night.

WIAWSNB

Joedavis said:

But as you say, probably not a good idea to sand them now as it will grind up a lot of nasty chemicals. I wish I could go back in time and avoid the woodworm treatment altogether. It feels like a big mistake. 

That isn't what I said.

In fact, once you do have it sanded, and then oiled, I can pretty much guarantee the smell will have completely gone; you'd have removed most of it, and then sealed in any remainder.

Then you'll be back on here complaining about the smell of the oil...

The only thing I would do is inform the sanding folk that you have had it treated to ensure they use suitable masks, possibly a different version than just for dust. 

Don't fret. Get your floors done - the problem will disappear.

Section62

WIAWSNB said:

Joedavis said:

But as you say, probably not a good idea to sand them now as it will grind up a lot of nasty chemicals. I wish I could go back in time and avoid the woodworm treatment altogether. It feels like a big mistake. 

That isn't what I said.

In fact, once you do have it sanded, and then oiled, I can pretty much guarantee the smell will have completely gone; you'd have removed most of it, and then sealed in any remainder.

Then you'll be back on here complaining about the smell of the oil...

The only thing I would do is inform the sanding folk that you have had it treated to ensure they use suitable masks, possibly a different version than just for dust. 

Don't fret. Get your floors done - the problem will disappear.

Its a good idea to let them know the wood has recently been treated, but they should be using suitable masks already as they won't know what the timber may have been treated with in the past... permethrin is a fairly low risk compared to historic wood preservatives which included some real nasties such as arsenic and cyanide.

stuart45

Ventilation is the key. The floors have a limited number of volatile molecules, so once they are allowed to escape it will be OK. A fan can help speed it up.

Joedavis

I’ve done some more research and found out that the company used a product called Wykamol Microtech Woodworm Treatment which is labelled as water based, solvent free and “virtually odorless”. So I’m confused about why the house smells so strong after airing out for a week. I’ve taken several people to the house and they’ve complained about having a scratchy throat. Perhaps the company got the dilution wrong. 

Eldi_Dos

What sort ot temperature is room sitting at when you go in the morning to start your ventilation.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Joedavis said:

I’ve done some more research and found out that the company used a product called Wykamol Microtech Woodworm Treatment which is labelled as water based, solvent free and “virtually odorless”. So I’m confused about why the house smells so strong after airing out for a week. I’ve taken several people to the house and they’ve complained about having a scratchy throat. Perhaps the company got the dilution wrong. 

Genuine question, did you tell them about your scratchy throat first?

Joedavis

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Joedavis said:

I’ve done some more research and found out that the company used a product called Wykamol Microtech Woodworm Treatment which is labelled as water based, solvent free and “virtually odorless”. So I’m confused about why the house smells so strong after airing out for a week. I’ve taken several people to the house and they’ve complained about having a scratchy throat. Perhaps the company got the dilution wrong. 

Genuine question, did you tell them about your scratchy throat first?

No. I just said that it smells. 

A family member went to the house for several hours yesterday and says she has a sore throat and lips. She’s said she wouldn’t sleep in that house. 

I get that people on here are keen to paint me as a hypochondriac, but I’m genuinely looking for anyone who’s gone through the process of having a house sprayed and whether it took several weeks for the house to be liveable again and whether there were additional steps taken to get rid of the chemicals. 

WIAWSNB

Joedavis said:

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Joedavis said:

I’ve done some more research and found out that the company used a product called Wykamol Microtech Woodworm Treatment which is labelled as water based, solvent free and “virtually odorless”. So I’m confused about why the house smells so strong after airing out for a week. I’ve taken several people to the house and they’ve complained about having a scratchy throat. Perhaps the company got the dilution wrong. 

Genuine question, did you tell them about your scratchy throat first?

No. I just said that it smells. 

A family member went to the house for several hours yesterday and says she has a sore throat and lips. She’s said she wouldn’t sleep in that house. 

I get that people on here are keen to paint me as a hypochondriac, but I’m genuinely looking for anyone who’s gone through the process of having a house sprayed and whether it took several weeks for the house to be liveable again and whether there were additional steps taken to get rid of the chemicals. 

If the situation is as you describe, then you are certainly not a hypo  

In the first instance, I'd call up the company and ask them to send out a senior rep. Give them the opportunity to explain if they consider it's unusual.