We need some help. We installed new flooring throughout our house and it is outgassing somehow some way. The manufacturer said it is cured but and the dealer we bought it from states the distributor will be in contact to have someone come out and see it. I have talked at least 8 times to technical people at the manufacturer and got the MSDS for the coatings. I had asked for a waterbased cured finish and it is not. Everyone passing the buck while we wait. Could we get the finish sanded off to bare wood and waterbase it? We have had new hardwood floors in other houses and finished them ourselves. This if first time we got the prefinished to save time and problems arise. It is supposed to be a good manufacturer too..floors were not cheap.

This should not be happening. Let the tech dept. do it's thing but plan on getting outside inspection from a indoor air pollution company to varify what you're experiencing. You can have it sanded if that is what you want. Or have it removed and replaced. What brand was it? Was in made in China?

Maybe it is the asphalt impregnated felt paper under the wood, that you smell?

We used rosin paper under the aluminum oxide solid oak flooring that is not what we are smelling. Do some wood manufacturers in USA get flooring from other countries and box in there boxes? How would you get it from China. The tech support person has been somewhat helpful telling us to send him a sample but it is all down and came from mutiple lots we only had 3 boxtops left and they were 3 different dates dated 04. Once again can it be sanded totally off? thanks

I'm not knocking China. It's just that I have been told by some people in the know that China is still behind the curve in the finishing dept. I have installed Bamboo, some Bruce and Universal flooring made in China and the flooring did smell. But it seemed to go away after awhile. The prefinished floors I've laid made in North America ( USA and Canada ) don't seem to smell like that. I can't say if it's the finish or the packaging.And alot of flooring manufactering is done it China now. As to the sanding question, yes, the finish can be sanded off. Don't do this yourself! A experienced professional is your best bet. Explain your goals and desires clearly to him/her and let them determine the correct coarse of action.