Question from Carole
I am trying to find a healthy apartment to live in. I’ve been searching and searching and finally think I’ve found a safe place. It has been painted but that was over a month ago, so there is no paint odor. It is a studio apartment and the floors in the entire place are original hardwood except for the bathroom which has it’s original ceramic tile. My only concern is the floors. This is a vintage building that has been refurbished. I was shown several apartments and some that they are still working on. The ones that have been recently remodeled still have a very strong smell from the coating that was used on the floors. This apartment does not have an odor, and the owner told me that it has been over a month since the floors were done. I am afraid to take any chances but I really don’t smell an odor. I usually smell something toxic for me “a mile away”.
Does anyone have any experience with this? Is there anything that I could apply over the coating to absolutely prevent any further outgassing?
Thank you for your responses.
Debra’s Answer
My suggestion would be to “bake” the apartment for a few days before you move in. This will help speed the outgassing. Just use a space heater, close the doors and windows, and let it heat up. Then after a few days, open the windows and air it out, and move in.
Trust your own body. If it smells OK to you, and you feel fine, it’s probably fine.
