Question from TJW
The interior design is specifying us to use reclaimed 150 year old french wood floors in our home.
Our concern is that one of the wood floor installation subcontractors informed us that the wood floor appears to have been chemically dipped in some kind of chemical/stain mixture to make it look weathered and grey.
The supplier states since it is reclaimed material and they did not put the finish on it, they are unable to inform us of the chemicals/stains used.
Unfortunately, we have already purchased the material and the supplier will not take it back. Our concern is it the wood floor is off gasing any hazardous chemicals, if the wood floor dipping process contained any hazardous chemicals, and what are any hazards if we need to sand down the wood floor in the future and what chemicals may now be airborne.
Do you know of any agencies that can/will test our wood floors for any hazardous chemicals?
Thanks.
Debra’s Answer
My husband and I use a lot of reclaimed materials in our remodels and always examine them carefully for any treatments or finishes before we purchase them. Reclaiming wood is great for the environment and often results in better quality material than you can buy today, but you need to watch out for unknown treatments and finishes.
A clue to a problem would be if it has an odor.
I don’t know who to refer you to for testing. Readers?
