We are building an addition for a family whose young son is recovering from cancer. The floors are to be stained concrete, and the mom is now concerned about the toxicity of what we use to stain the concrete.
My thought is that once the acid stain is finished, the pH comes in close to water, and with all the water washes that go into the process, little “free” chemical is left. Further, cured concrete itself is pretty harmless, maybe more so than OSB & carpet etc. Also their house is circa 1850, so what we’re adding is probably safer than where he’s lives the last 3 years. But these are just thoughts, and my inclination is that she is simply a worrier after all she has been through with him.
Does anyone know the facts on concrete stains, sealers and their safeness? I’d like to be able to calm her fears. Thanks.
Replies
which product do intend to use...
have you selected one or are you looking for one..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Still looking - we had to drive quite a ways the last time - we used the acid stain product on countertops! (without even a thought to toxicity) I have heard Sherwin Williams carries a concrete stain - they are local. Otherwise its Kemiko or some other mail order stain.Treat every person you meet like you will know them the rest of your life - you just might!
SW will have all the MSDS sheets on all of their products..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
sherwin william is a paint and not a stain, no matter what they tell you it a paint. kemiko is a good stain, but the stain not the problem, you have to cover the stain with a clear, that where the gasses be coming from. The stain will be encap and will be harmless. the clear weather epoxy base or water bases will have the vcc
Actually H&C now has out an acid stain.But most of their products are a "paint" like coating.http://www.hcconcrete.com/contractor/infusion/reactive.asp"H&C¯ Infusion Reactive Concrete Stain
H&C¯ InfusionTM Reactive Concrete Stain will enhance new and existing concrete by adding decorative and unique shading of colors. The variegated and translucent color effects are a result of the unique formulation of blended acidic metallic salts. H&C¯ Infusion Reactive Concrete Stains becomes part of the concrete surface due to a chemically reactive process and will wear only as the concrete wears. Mixing different H&C¯ Infusion Reactive Concrete Stains together will also achieve unique colors. H&C¯ Infusion Reactive Concrete Stains are available in 8 ready to use colors. FOR PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY!"
I'd start by looking at the MSDS sheet from the stain mfr. I'd hesitate to give this to the client however, because anyone reading an MSDS sheet in her state of mind would wind up thinking it's as bad as toxic waste.
The mfr. technical folks might be a valuable help too.
Ithaca, NY "10 square miles, surrounded by reality"
MSDS - good thought... I'll do some more research
Treat every person you meet like you will know them the rest of your life - you just might!
We stained all of the garage floors a few years back. Toxic is an understatement the fumes were so bad. We did wear filter masks with organic filters. Nasty stuff. We painted the work shop and storage area floors with a product from Muralo that worked great. (Slippery when wet) We wanted dust control.
I'm sure the EPA has stepped in and gotten rid of most of the chemicals that were used 14 years ago.
The stain has held up well but I'll paint when I get around to it.
Wow. I don't remember any thing like that the last time I stained concrete. Maybe things have changed - aren't modern stains just an acid - base reaction leaving salts and water? (plus color)
Treat every person you meet like you will know them the rest of your life - you just might!
I'll need to look for an old can. When we did the job it was planned that no one would be comming home for a few weeks.
Try posting on http://www.acidstain.com in their forums. Some good info there.
I agree with other poster that the sealer is possible problem rather than stain. I used a water based sealer that seemed pretty harmless on my own house.
Mike
Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.
Have you poured the concrete yet? I ask only because there was an article a few years back in FHB that had a poured countertop that was stained with coffee. I thought that was a great idea. Using natural stains like tea, coffee, ketchup, bluberries etc. instead of the hazardous stuff.