Debra Lynn Dadd

Floor leveling compound

QUESTION:

Is Quickkrite floor leveling compound from Lowe's alright to use for someone with multiple chemical sensitivity? We need to replace vinyl tiles in the kitchen and need something to patch the holes in the flooring to make the surface smooth before adding the new tiles. The tiles have been in the basement for 15 years so I'm sure they have outgassed. Are there any other options for no-voc or low voc floor leveling compound? I can't go into Lowe's to read the package and can't find the ingredients online and can't spend hours on the computer due to neck and back problems. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.

POSTED BY COLLEEN :: WEST VIRGINIA USA :: 09/28/2009 11:10 AM

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

COMMENTS:

At below link I read that there is coal tar, which is toxic, in Quickrete.
Perhaps a tile laying business could instruct you on how to use plain portland cement with sand and water.

The manufacturer of an additive free (no acrylic, latex, quick drying agents, etc.) grout such as C-Cure AR grout should be able to tell you if their grout can be used for this purpose. C-Cure makes several different products, so if you go this route make sure you use the additive free product.

C-Cure website: c-cure.co

C-Cure Corporate Offices
Seal Beach, CA 90740
1-800-895-2874
Customer and Technical Support
9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST
6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST

POSTED BY ANNIQUE :: COLORADO USA :: 10/02/2009 12:56 PM

Hi
There is a non-toxic floor leveling compound called Deco-Poz. It is a cement blended with a recycled pozzolanic material that makes it very strong. The kit comes with a non-toxic polymer that you mix with water....and mix in the Decc-Poz. I am sure it will work for your project. This product is green enough to get LEED credits.

I have used Deco-Poz over concrete, vinyl composition tiles that are adhered securely, brick, ceramic tiles, and laminate countertops.... stained it with bio-based concrete stains, then sealed it with bio-based sealers. It is durable, is easy to use, and looks fantastic. The only odor you might experience is faint and comes from the natural soy esters in the concrete stain and they subside right away.
Hope this helps,
Charlotte

POSTED BY CHARLOTTE :: GREEN HOME OUTFITTERS :: WWW.GREENHOMEOUTFITTERS.COM :: TEXAS USA :: 10/02/2009 12:58 PM

I don't believe that the vinyl tiles have outgassed.

I have a 20 year old vinyl (not tiles,.) recently I had a leak from my refrigerator and moved the refrigerator from the wall an flipped back the vinyl flooring to let the wood subfloor dry out. I could not breath and got a headache almost instantly. the vinyl smell permeated the downstairs of the house and this was with all the windows open.

POSTED BY CATHY G :: MARYLAND USA :: 10/02/2009 1:58 PM

RE: Deco-Poz, just because a product is green & carries a "non-toxic" label doesn't mean it will be safe for a sensitive individual. Test a small amount outdoors to make sure you can tolerate it. If it seems to pass this test test it indoors on something that can be discarded. Remember, when it is applied as a floor leveler it well cover a large area and the odor will be magnified. Better safe than sorry.

POSTED BY ANNIQUE :: COLORADO USA :: 10/05/2009 2:41 PM

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