Sometimes, it's less expensive to replace a tub than to get it refinished, especially if it's a rare type of tub made of an unusual material. Delivered to your inbox twice weekly - for free. The paint in the bath tub is pealing off after one use. During the entire refinishing process, the room should be adequately ventilated to protect workers. We recommend that you consult your personal physician about your health issues, and your local health department for assistance with the building management. Never stay where resurfacing is being done. Brooklyn resident Emily Gilbert had her familys tub and part of the bathroom wall reglazed four-and-a-half years ago (read more about that here), and overall, is pleased with the results. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. No warning that fumes would make me sick. It is often referred to as dichloromethane and has many industrial uses, such as paint stripping, metal cleaning, and degreasing. He wore proper equipment, however ventilation was not adequate. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. The prep is the most important part of the job, says White. Agree with your perspective. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. What are the governing bodies that oversee these applications? I wish they warned me and Id have had means to stay out of house for a few days. very good and helpful post thanks to author. Long-term exposure may cause cancer in humans. I say this because his co workers where in the other bathroom working. The Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP) program at the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has profiled two businesses that successfully strip bathtubs without MC. I repaired the tile finish as best I could and covered it with 123 primer and latex kitchen/bath paint by mohair brush. We do have pets and have young kids. Overwhelming toxic fumes from renovations on a neighbor's apartment My question is, am I in danger using the peeling bathtub??? There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. 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. Other uses, such as use by professionals outside industrial installations or household use by individuals is forbidden. Most professionals use alternative methods when possible. I am thankful to those who began to get the word out to the general public, you have certainly saved lives by doing so. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. 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. Is that smell dangerous for children? Opening the windows is necessary, but it's certainly not enough if you're working with methylene chloride. Although we cant say there is any particular hazard from these paint chips, it would be prudent to prevent your toddler from eating the paint chips or bathing the toddler in water with material that is degrading from the tub into the water. I only use stripper when absolutely necessary. I have a chipped tub that is built in with tile walls. Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. If you know the name of the product that was used, you may be able to find it by searching on the Internet. This Northern California real estate agent is living the green Dream. If you have concerns you should discuss them with a medical professional. These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. An expert starts by sanding down the tub's. I had a tub refinished with epoxy that had a bad smell, but nothing like this. Wow! We'll put an entirely new finish over the existing tub or tile in your bathroom. What if they put a horrible smell into the product that would alert the user before overexposure. Its good to know that if you have your bathtub reglazed, you much have proper ventilation. Ya, very helpful articles are posted. How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment? If youve been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. It always falls on us, to make sure, inspections we pay for, cover areas of higher hazard. I went to clean out the tub to take another shower myself and by just barely cleaning it a whole bunch of paint came off, like over a foot and I was just barely scrubbing! I wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). Dear Mr. Ronald M. Hall, you probably save my life with this article! 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. I have 2 small kids and an infant. Works on all types of surfaces. Technicians have been properly trained to do this type of work. Our tub was just resurfaced today I was told six hours after they got done we could return to the apartment and stay the night just cant use the tub or take the tape off for 48 hours is that safe? Sometimes workers are not educated, companies should invest in staff training to work with these materials. Her writing on New York City, parenting, events, and culture has also appeared in Parents, Red Tricycle, BizBash, and Time Out New York. Now its already peeling. 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. After a few years, she was diagnosed with lung cancer (she never smoked) and died in 1999. A lot of times when a solvent stinks, you realize you need the right protective equipment and ventilation. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. Can you give me any help in researching to determine if the polyurethane/acrylic finishes leaches? Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! Ive asked for a materials data sheet and nothing. They yellow like crazy, and they are solvent based, slow drying so they off gas, and they never hold up. Bathtub Refinishing | Benefits & Considerations in 2023 | REthority Usually coatings can be removed with a good razor scraper.sure it takes longer but it keeps me from using more harmful chemicals. 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. I am not an overly caution person, but I understand that in certain instances it is important to exercise caution. After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture. Quite naive of me. Perhaps this us not the case. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. That is a shocking statistic, At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. I also had diarrhea several times this morning. Step 1: Remove Tub Hardware Shut off the water supply to your tub and drain any water from the line before you begin. I own a small bathtub refinishing business and we have committed to stay away from M.C. I have one side of my nose feeling congested and post nasal drip and a headache. Cristine. Contact me via e-mail njtragroup@gmail.com and send me your ideas. Sad to hear, but at least proves to me that I was right! There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. I believe in situations like these, two or more workers would be present in the bathroom, when proper ventilation is impossible. Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous? Thank for speaking about about tub refinishing. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. Hi I have very sensitive skin, and covered in psoriasis and eczema. As owner of a tub refinishing company we have moved away from polyurethane isocyanate systems years ago because of the hazards but, for educational purposes, we provide a dedicated page with links to various articles on our website explaining the dangers of isocyanate coating use in residential markets. Avoid use of methylene chloride or minimize the amount of methylene chloride used at each site. However, we have no information about the risks that might arise to the resident from exposure to the flaking surface of the refinished tub. Thanks for your comment. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! We are not familiar with the finishes you mention. It is an odd sized bathtub so I did not even consider ordering a replacement custom-made. I learned a lot and want to ask a question about the dangers. A fresh air system is critical. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. Comments listed below are posted by individuals not associated with CDC, unless otherwise stated. I thought it would be a simple spray paint job. I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub. My little dog had trouble breathing during the night and I had to go to urgent care for a chest xray. I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? Successful bathtub stripping with benzyl alcohol as an alternative to methylene chloride-based paint strippers Last night I went to bed with a headache, then vomited on and off throughout the night. This post was helpful to me too. The most dangerous part of the bathtub refinishing process is inhaling the fumes associated with the job. I cant tell you how many times Ive told others in the field that are doing this to make sure they have more ventilation and to remove or re-coat the tube out of the bathroom and to at least not to do it without the proper breathing apparatus. Thank you. I blog often and I really appreciate your content. Vanity of a tub isnt worth it. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. I have 15 years experience with bathtub refinishing and stripping. Their cost is at least twice as expensive as Miracle Method refinishing and can take up to 3 to 4 weeks from ordering to installation. I refer to this CDC article a few times a month when answering questions from customers. Its used to strip paint and varnish from furniture which will be refinished. If you are referring to paint strippers (which is what methylene Chloride is used for) one consideration would be using alternative methods, such as sanding. Our blog focused on the exposures from methylene chloride to workers during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. But because were low income, we also do not get the luxury of telling management or housingno. Theres no such thing as excessive safety precaution. Of course I wont be using it for a good week or so just to be safe, but I dont even use bleach or Flash to clean my tub because of the chemicals getting into the bathwater; even rinsing thoroughly. I have personally resurfaced in the past for investment properties, and have smelt the sweet smell, but never was affected , luckily. Mimi OConnor has written about New York City real estate for publications that include Brick Underground, Refinery29, and Thrillist. There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. Bathtub Refinishing vs. Liner: Whats Right for Your Home. The Health and Safety Executive is our policing force that helps prevent the tragic consequences of injuries and even fatalities in the workplace. After reading this post I think I can live with those scratches until I can hire a professional. Thank you so much! Thanks! And, are there any substances that are dangerous and can later leach into bath water and be absorbed by the skin? 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. The coating and sanding are done alternatively. Im 70 and have no place to go except my apartment. Reglazing involves stripping off the previous coating and sanding down the tub. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. The past three days have been the hardest in my entire life. The use of methylene chloride can be reduced significantly by professionals. The fumes were in her room not mine, i didnt know until i opened the door, we had put on the fan origionally for the smell, fumes came full blown after. We are in a rental and I had to stop allowing my daughter to take baths because its everywhere. Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. I have read many articles but this is different one. Pre-leasing now launched at 595 Dean St., the newest rental development in Brooklyn's vibrant Prospect Heights, The roommate dilemma: It's much more expensive to rent an apartment in NYC all by yourself now. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. The guy who came to do tub had a fancy breathing mask that covered his whole face and tubes attached to his belt I was concerned when I saw the precautions he took but said it was no problem. 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/. This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly, this is an understatement, but Im glad its finally being brought to peoples attention. Surely the proper checks should be taken before the products leaves the factory. It seemed like this article focused more on the concerns of MC and not ISO is there a follow up article that is just based on Isocyantes? What is the difference between a muntin and a mullion and are they still used in windows? Superior heavy duty Reglazing. Follow good housekeeping measures, including spill and leak control and appropriate personal hygiene practices (such as making skin washing areas available to workers). So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the resident and pets after the project is completed. AND DURING CLEANING. The following recommendations on respirator use are in the NIOSH/OSHA Alert. The bathtub/shower in my apartment was reglazed this morning. I wish I discovered this post a few weeks earlier. Thanks for the great post. Even a tiny bit? Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. discovered that the fumes were coming through the vent in her bathroom. I will always do the research beforehand going forward. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. Do these products continue to leech into air/water once project is completed? Mostly problem is that it can broken. Hi, so I had my bathtub reglazed in March. Is that dangerous as well? For example, if your pipes have burst, spilling water into the unit, a day or two may be reasonable, assuming that the landlord can employ a qualified repair person within that time period . Pay $64.00 after $25 OFF your total qualifying purchase upon opening a new card. It won't last forever, but it's a pretty good temporary fix. So how and why are these places allowed to keep doing that tub refinishing if its so dangerous?? I opted in for your Feed too. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Is that legal? The apt right next to me was just resurfaced and the chemicals came through the air vents. Ive spoken with many other tub resurfacing company owners and employees, and most of them do not use or even own full-face air-supplied respirators. Are these chemicals only toxic while being applied, or can they still be harmful later as used? I had my cast iron tub reglazed on a very hot humid day. We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. NIOSH has not evaluated isocyanates exposure among bathtub refinishers but products containing isocyanates should also be handled with care. Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. I regret it so much! We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers. This post was helpful to me too. My apartment manager refinished my bathtub about 2 1/2 years ago instead of buying a new one. [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says. Please, if you know anyone who refinishes bathtubs, make sure they are VERY AWARE of the dangers and the different situations. Changing ones business practices and methods can certainly be a daunting task and a big decision, but in the case of methylene chloride and bathtubs it is an important, potentially lifesaving one. What a Useful Post and great shared to Plumbing Service, Thanks author your Awesome tropic and Excellent Content. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. I had no choice but to return home. While bathtub refinishing is one I havent tried, I do know that in-home work with many types of cleaners, paints and strippers and adhesives is always going to be a concern due to poor air circulation indoors, and sometimes outdoors too. Changing up your tub is a great way to give your bathroom a makeover on a budget, Visit the Solution Center to Explore Articles. I usually like to do things myself, but I think I will have to find someone to do my bathtub repair in concord ma. Thanks for sharing such a helpful post. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. I personally have never heard of this being such a serious problem. Thats why we see it a lot in historic neighborhoods.. refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. Open the bathroom door and as many . The odor and fumes were suffocating. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We use a spray-on compound that hardens to a polished and durable, like-new finish. Its really awesome and very dangers take care guys Adults? Thanks! They were wearing some gas mask type stuff while they were doing it, but I have noticed even after spraying the fumes were strong; and I was outside when they did this. Bathtub refinishing is a necessary maintenance step if you wish to improve the appearance and structural integrity of your tub. Refinishing Porcelain & Fiberglass Bathtub Reglazing/Refinishing Service. What is an escalation clause and what are the risks? Use full-face air-supplied respirators, protective gloves, and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that is resistant to methylene chloride during the entire refinishing process. Thanks to those whoever posted this article. When the project is complete, you can take a relaxing soak in your new tub, knowing it was refinished correctly and safely. 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? Until the finishing dries, it is a good idea to leave the house. Look for an alternative to do the bathtub refinishing. Very good info. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. 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. Lowering exposures, even below the PEL, is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. Is it safe to bath in especially for my toddler??? Its generally a task best performed by professionals due to the hazardous chemicals involved. 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. Second tub went smoother because I had a window to open for air circulation. keep blogging~! Is it safe to stay???? Awsome and useful informations too, thanks for sharing this educational post! It is amazing that I get over 100 hits per month on the article from homeowners who are fumed out during and after refinishing. The restrictions on placing on the market and use is a consequence of many incidents with lethal outcome. Does anyone know if I should be worried? I understand the dangers of the application process, but what about the 2/3 days following the reglazing? I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. Since Bathtub Refinishing can also be a consumer issue, another potential resource is Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au. It hurt to know, the four of us where in a room together for what will be the very last time. Most tubs can be reglazed if they are not overly damaged, but the process is generally recommended for steel, cast iron, or fiberglass tubs. Thank you. My apartment is very small and I sat in bedroom with my elderly cat not 20 feet away. Your local health department may be able to provide assistance. Ask Sam: I saw my apartment on a listing site, but I havent received any notice from my landlord. Tub reglazing: What you need to know about this affordable but stinky HomeAdvisors True Cost Guide puts the average cost to refinish a bathtub at about $450, while installing a new one runs about $3,000. How much should you renovate your NYC apartment before selling it? You should ask the installer to check that the product was applied correctly. Extraction during the process is everything. (before we had kids). Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. If safety is not enough to discourage the DIY Kits then maybe aesthetics will. Thanks for your comment. Kimberly Evans. I dont think I had the right mask on. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtubs appearance and repair surface damage. Vapors from this liquid can collect in the bottom of the tub and cause the person refinishing the tub to asphyxiate or even suffer from a heart attack because methyl chloride turns to carbon monoxide in the body, cutting off oxygen supply. Needless to say, I was shocked, I am taken aback by the statistics. Thanks. 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. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly. Based on this information, I think I can live with a less-than-perfect finish until we are able to get the tub professionally refinished. Understanding the Fumes Associated with Bathtub Refinishing The fumes are strong in the bathroom so I have the bathroom door closed, vent on. Prolonged skin contact may cause irritation and even chemical burns. Even if you hire a professional, let the area air out and keep it ventilated after the work is complete until you can no longer detect any unusual or chemical odors. NIOSH has continued to try to get the word out to workers and employers about the risks of working with methylene chloride. After the bathtub has been stripped and resurfaced how long is the danger from the Methylene chloride still in the air? Bathtub refinishing is amazing. Also my bedroom windows are both open, and that door is closed as well. We share your concern for the workers who worked on the tub in a confined space with the door closed. After doing research on reglazing chemicals typically used for bathtubs, we found that it's strongly suggested to (1) not be in the home for at least 48 hours after the reglazing and (2) that leaving windows open is not enough, but you must bring in some kind of ventilation gear such as hurricane fans or powered tubing to clear the area out . Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. Great information. Thanks for sharing. Is it dangerous to any or all of us? It was a cold day, so I went back inside. Will these chemicals be leaching out of the surface, presenting a health concern from contact? You may want to contact Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au, who assists with consumer concerns like the one you posted. Great amazing blog post I really love such lovely blog posts. She and her contractor agreed to wait until the weather cooledto remedy the situation. Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. I was doing some research on tub reglazing when I found this article. Opening windows and moving away from areas with vapors can decrease or stop continued exposure. Surface Designers have been in business for over 20 years resurfacing bathtubs and countertops. Its the very first time I call at your blog, however was very impressed. A person directly outside the door and 30 seconds could have saved our best friends life. The blog is not designed to provide personal medical or emergency information. 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. 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. If youre nervous, leaving your apartment for the duration of the job is always an option. One of the significant risks of refinishing a bathtub is exposure to methylene chloride or dichloromethane, which strips the tub and removes the previous glaze or finish. It feels toxic, but no one has instructed me to leave, so am I to assume that I am safe? There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. We understand the importance of protecting ourselves, the environment and most importantly our customers. Did you know that the fumes from the chemical used to refinish or reglaze your bathtub can be hazardous to your health? If methylene chloride is used, ensure that the room is adequately ventilated during the entire refinishing process. It is definitely a good idea to ventilate the area as much as possible to remove the residual vapors. That is pretty serious stuff. NIOSH analytical method 1001 is typically used to sample for methylene chloride in a workers breathing zone. This is in Australia. It hurt to know he was no longer mentality or livingly present with us in that room. Located at [http://www.refinishersonline.com] and I helped in two the studies before this report was finalized. This is a moderated site and your comments will be reviewed before they are posted. This is a great article. Its highly toxic Teri. Pacific Reglazing | Bathtub Reglazing Experts 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.
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