Hi, we just put tile with grout in an apt, and there is still a very strong smell 1 month later. It is also causing some allergies. Could it be the tile adhesive or the grout? We sealed the grout with SafeCoat's grout-sealer. The apt was also painted, but with a no-VOC, low-oder latex paint that should have dissipated by now.

Hi Debra,
I don't know what kind of grout the tile installers used. I do know that they used thin set to lay it over the floor of a condo unit (the floor was already there). So, the tiles were just layed directly onto the floor using thin set as the adhesive. Could the thin set be the problem, or the grout? We just used standard brands, because I was told by people at an environmental building store that these products are pretty safe (toxicity-wise)and don't have much odor. What are your thoughts on this? Any suggestions on how to deal with the allergins now that the damages has been done?
Thanks,
Jeannie

I am having my bathroom remodeled. Should the contractor be using hardibacker on the shower stall or should that be builkt with a liner product and cement, I am very confused about his and want it done correctly because it is going to be lined with tile on the bottom and walls. What about the moisture. Is hardibacker completely moisture proof or is the water gopiong to be absorbed by the hardibacker ane eventuially fall apart? Please answer me i am very concerned!!

We have been using Magnesium Oxide Cement (MgO)as both a tile backerboard and in place of gypsum drywall. We think it is superior in water resistance to Hardibacker board. Our source is www.greeneboard.com.

Hello,

I am afraid I disagree with the above.
We just had some tiling done about 5 weeks ago.

My experience is that polymer modified grout can still be smelling 5 weeks after installation.
It is not a slight odor at all but **very** strong and I will be surprised if I can even go in those rooms for many months from now.
It is not dissipating quickly at all.

I know that some people have used simple Portland cement as grout.
No additives, polymers etc. Just the cement.
From what I have read, it does best when allowed to wet-cure for a good amount of time before applying sealer.

I have used the AFM grout sealer and am very happy with it.

I realise this is quite late and you have likely already done your tile job :-)
I hope it went well!

Hello,

I would love to hear from Jeanne how long it took for the smell from the grout to go away.


We are experiencing the same issue.

We had 2 bedrooms and one hall tiled back in mid-April and the smell it still strong enough that my partner (who does not have MCS) can smell it and comment on it. So it has been about 5 weeks.

Needless to say, I can't go in those rooms which was the entire point of getting them tiled. Very disappointing and frustrating.

It was polymer-modified sanded grout and I assume the polymer is the source of the problem.

We are going to seal it this week with the AFM grout sealer (which I love - no smell at all) and hope like heck that it helps somewhat.


I have no idea how to get in touch with Jeanne but if anyone does, I'd love to know how long it took for the smell to go away for her.

Thanks!
:-)

Yes, I had used it in the past and had it be fine also.
I do know a few others with MCS who have had trouble with it.
I know that one can grout using just Portland cement but we wanted more durability and quicker cure time.
Unfortunately I can't un-grout the 2 rooms and hallway :-(
We have since sealed it with AFM grout sealer and it hasn't stopped the outgassing at all. It will just take time I guess. :-)

Regarding grout: I cannot find just plain old fashioned simple grout. Every manufacturer has put either mildewcide, or mold killer or antibacterial substances in the grout. I just want GROUT, with no extra added toxic substances. Does anyone manufacture just plain grout anymore?

We used C-Cure AR grout 911 and C Cure thinset 922 (I might have those two numbers switched) -- they are supposed to be safe for MCS. It took a week and baking out to be off gassed enough.

I used Laticrete thinset and grout and had no order whatsoever. My installers said the thinset had more odor than some of their standard thinsets, but by the time the tile was laid and grout applied, I couldn't detect any odor at all. There's also a terrific book called Prescriptions for a Healthy House by Paula Baker La Porte that lists lots of resources.

I have environmental illness and contacted many manufacturers of thinset and grout this week, as I need to tile 3 bedrooms and stairs.

I did this investigation because I heard from another EI person that using modified products can lead to up to one year of waiting before it is safe.

Almost all of the manufacturers have an unmodified thinset product.

However, only ONE manufacturer still produces an unmodified grout - C-Cure.

As mentioned by somebody previously, C-Cure's 922AR sanded grout and 925 Supreme non-sanded grout are unmodified (no polymers or biocides). The grout needs to be special ordered. In addition C-Cure's 911 thinset is unmodified.

The companies I called that said they do NOT have unmodified GROUT are as follows:
- Laticrete
- Mapei
- Custom Building Products
- Bostik (discontinued in 2004)
- TEC

Both Bostik and Laticerete thought their products had very low levels of polymers in their grout, but they are still present. It is also important to ask about biocides.

Although I won't need it, I understand that the Hardiebacker cement board is a good brand to use in an EI home.

I hope this helps.

KF