Desperate for information re: pesticide impregnated terra cotta floor - Tile Advice

[wendy]

My Mexican terra cotta floor about forty years old and sealed in only a few small areas, was sprayed with FICHA TÉCNICA TERMIDEL 48 CE : clorpirifos (originally Dow) manufactured by Delta by a very unprofessional exterminator. The product, banned in the US for over twenty years, has an odor that endures for decades. The floor needs to be sealed to lock in the odor of the spray. Someone suggested linseed oil, but I can't imagine that would be strong enough. I prefer to use the least chemical compound possible because the house is currently unliveable. Any advice? I live in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and many things are not available. Thanks. Wendy

 

[Albert]

My Mexican terra cotta floor about forty years old and sealed in only a few small areas, was sprayed with FICHA TÉCNICA TERMIDEL 48 CE : clorpirifos (originally Dow) manufactured by Delta by a very unprofessional exterminator. The product, banned in the US for over twenty years, has an odor that endures for decades. The floor needs to be sealed to lock in the odor of the spray. Someone suggested linseed oil, but I can't imagine that would be strong enough. I prefer to use the least chemical compound possible because the house is currently unliveable. Any advice? I live in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and many things are not available. Thanks. Wendy

Give the linseed oil a try, use it in a cupboard or small confined area. That way you should be able to tell if it is working.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Boiled linseed oil : -
1st coat mix 50:50 with white spirit.
2nd coat 100% boiled linseed oil.
Don’t leave any excess on surface after 15 mins.
Try on small area as Albert above, and throw away rags carefully after use (flammable!).

 

[Dan]

My Mexican terra cotta floor about forty years old and sealed in only a few small areas, was sprayed with FICHA TÉCNICA TERMIDEL 48 CE : clorpirifos (originally Dow) manufactured by Delta by a very unprofessional exterminator. The product, banned in the US for over twenty years, has an odor that endures for decades. The floor needs to be sealed to lock in the odor of the spray. Someone suggested linseed oil, but I can't imagine that would be strong enough. I prefer to use the least chemical compound possible because the house is currently unliveable. Any advice? I live in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and many things are not available. Thanks. Wendy

Thanks for posting here. I holidayed in Mexico. Beautiful country. Want to go back there when I have the time. Have a taxi friend there now. He always speaks on WhatsApp.

 

[Dumbo]

Boiled linseed oil : -
1st coat mix 50:50 with white spirit.
2nd coat 100% boiled linseed oil.
Don’t leave any excess on surface after 15 mins.
Try on small area as Albert above, and throw away rags carefully after use (flammable!).

I actually don't throw mine away, I burn them so i have control over the burning

 

[One Day]

I actually don't throw mine away, I burn them so i have control over the burning

I leave mine on a shelf in the garage.
(living dangerously!)

 

[Dumbo]

I leave mine on a shelf in the garage.
(living dangerously!)

Adrenalin junkie . . .

 

[wendy]

If it doesn't work, can I still use a water based sealer after, or won't it adhere? I need to keep my options open. And what about water based sealers? How ae they in terms of gas off? In all honesty, I am quite a novice? But I can't live in my home, so it's quite serious.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

If it’s 40 years old , only been sealed in a few places and has now got some banned substance that makes your house uninhabitable then I’d possibly suggest either suing your unprofessional terminator ( unless it’s Arnold), taking the lot up or moving!
Not much else to add really.
Good luck.

 

[wendy]

Not too helpful, but I kind of feel the same way at the moment. I have been told the right sealer can set us straight. I have to be sure the cure isn't as bad or worse than the cause.