Formaldehyde - Now What?

 Formaldehyde; what is it?

Formaldehyde is an important chemical used widely by industry to manufacture building materials and numerous household products. It is also a by-product of combustion and certain other natural processes. Thus, it may be present in varying concentrations both indoors and outdoors.

 Sources of Formaldehyde

Sources of formaldehyde in the home include some building materials, smoking, household products, and the use of some un-vented, fuel-burning appliances, like gas stoves or kerosene space heaters.  Formaldehyde is used to add permanent-press qualities to clothing, draperies and other textiles, as a component of glues and adhesives, and as a preservative in some paints and coating products.

In homes, the most common sources of formaldehyde are likely to be pressed wood products made using adhesives that contain urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins: particleboard (used as subflooring and shelving and in cabinetry and furniture); plywood paneling (used for decorative wall covering, cabinets, furniture); and fiberboard (used for drawer fronts, cabinets, and furniture).

The rate at which products like pressed wood or textiles release formaldehyde can change. Formaldehyde emissions will generally decrease as products age. When the products are new, high indoor temperatures or humidity can cause increased release of formaldehyde from these products.

 Health Effects

Formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas, can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing in some humans exposed at elevated levels. High concentrations may trigger attacks in people with asthma. There is evidence that some people can develop sensitivity to formaldehyde. It has also been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans. Health effects include eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; severe allergic reactions.

 Levels in Homes

Average concentrations in older homes are generally well below 0.1 ppm (parts per million). In homes with significant amounts of new pressed wood products, levels can be greater than 0.3 ppm.

 Reducing Exposure to Formaldehyde in Homes

If you experience adverse reactions to formaldehyde, you may want to ask about the formaldehyde content of products before you purchase them, or avoid the use of them. For further information on formaldehyde and consumer products, call the EPA Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) assistance line (202-554-1404).

 Steps to Reduce Exposure        

• Use "exterior-grade" pressed wood products (lower-emitting because they contain phenol resins, not urea resins).
• Use air conditioning and dehumidifiers to maintain moderate temperature and reduce humidity levels.
• Increase ventilation, particularly after bringing new sources of formaldehyde into the home.

 Steps to Reduce Exposure from New Flooring or Furniture        

• Check manufacturer’s packaging to ensure that the contents are certified to meet California’s current CARB Phase 2 levels.
• By far, the best way to reduce even normal levels of formaldehyde is to use ventilation.
• Cut and process all pieces OUTSIDE of dwelling areas.
• Expect some odors to last a week or more, but to reduce over time. Remember: the more ventilation, the faster the dissipation of even normal odors from formaldehyde or other materials. 

Maintain moderate temperature and humidity levels and provide adequate ventilation. The rate at which formaldehyde is released is accelerated by heat and may also depend somewhat on the humidity level. Therefore, the use of dehumidifiers and air conditioning to control humidity and to maintain a moderate temperature can help reduce formaldehyde emissions. (Drain and clean dehumidifier collection trays frequently so that they do not become a breeding ground for microorganisms.) Increasing the rate of ventilation in your home will also help in reducing formaldehyde levels.

 What is Cal-Flor doing to minimize Formaldehyde exposure in its products?

A lot of companies talk about being green. At Cal-Flor, we're making the effort to do what's best for our customers, our business, our industry, and our planet.  We have re-formulated our D3 glue to ensure that it is free or harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde.   Our Eco Clean floor cleaner is fully biodegradable with no VOC’s or toxic residues.  And we are currently reformulating our popular Click-Seal joint sealer to be even more environmentally sustainable. 

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All of our products are available to be seen here.

For volume pricing contact us! We'll get you a quote. Whether your a manufacturer, distributor or dealer. We have pricing for all order sizes as well as customized accessory programs to fit your needs.

CalFlor does everything we can to provide the best products to the industry. We make an effort in re-formulating products to make them safer and cleaner for the environment. We've reduced VOCs, as well as removed harmful chemicals like Formaldehyde from glues and cleaner formulas. 

Here at CalFlor we are fully committed to protecting and sustaining our environment.  We embrace the responsibility of doing our part to ensure that the world we pass on to our children and future generations is safe, clean and sustainable.  We continually strive to make environmental improvements in our products, our processes and our facility.

No, CalFlor Eurobond D3 Glue was manufactured to be used during installation and applied within the tongue and groove or locking mechanism of the flooring.

Once Eurobond D3 Glue dries it has more of an off white to clear color. Most all flooring T&G glues are this whitish color so they can be easily seen to be wiped off during installation. Then they dry clear and are invisible in a properly laid floor.

Unfortunately, T&G glues are usually never used on LVT, LVP or LVF (luxury vinyl floors) and we don't recommend using Eurobond D3 Glue for your vinyl flooring.

The Eurobond D3 Type II Adhesive is for Click and Tongue and Groove Floors and is meant to be used in between the planks. This is not an adhesive that you would use to glue down your T molding and secure to the subfloor. For that use we would recommend a urethane-grade construction adhesive. But as with any flooring, please follow the manufacturer’s recommended installation methods and products.

For further information on the contents of the Eurobond D3 Glue, you can view the SDS on the product page. Here is the link to the SDS: Click Here

Yes, Eurobond D3 Type II Glue does have PVA in it.

Yes, Eurobond D3 Glue works great for bamboo floating floor installations, but as with any flooring, follow the manufacturer's recommended installation methods.

The Eurobond D3 Glue is a great installation product for laminate flooring, however you will need to confirm with your flooring manufacturer’s instructions to confirm that gluing the tongue and grove of the planks is an acceptable installation method for your flooring installation. 

ColorSeal perimeter sealant can be applied with the integrated nozzle. Clean the surface of the application area, cut the tip to the desired bead thickness, then apply a continuous bead of caulk. Press the caulk firmly down on the surface to ensure a good bond, smoothing and removing excess as you go with your finger, damp cloth or caulk removal tool.

It will cover silicone caulk but is manufactured to be used as a sealant itself.

ColorSeal will cure about the mid-range hardness for sealant, firm, but flexible. 

Yes, ColorSeal can be used on granite.

Yes, this installation kit is suitable for hardwood floors.

The Pro Pull Bar is used for installation, not for plank removal.

It is approximately 14" from the end of the bar, closest to the wall, to the strike point. The distance to the wall is going to depend on the expansion gap needed for installation, if any. The overall length of the PRO Pull Bar is 21.5".

If you need replacement parts, please feel free to call us at (888) 277 - FLOR.

SilverStep is designed to be used as a flooring underlayment between a hard subfloor and the flooring. Any use of SilverStep outside of what it's designed for has not been tested.

No. However SilverStep can be used under some thicker (>1/4") WPC flooring (wood-plastic-composite), but as with any flooring, please follow the manufacturer’s recommended installation methods and products.

Yes, SilverStep underlayment and moisture barrier can be installed over a concrete slab.

Yes, VaporBlock can be used with pad attached flooring.

Yes, VaporBlock is a vapor barrier and would work for your application.

Single-Step is not a “haze remover” (or stripper or prep solution) and is not recommended for use on laminate flooring. When it comes to removing haze from a laminate floor, it can get tricky and we recommend you contact the manufacturer of the flooring for their recommendations.

Unfortunately, the Single-Step Cleaner and Polish is only available in the 24 oz. bottle. It can cover up to 750 sq. ft. if applied in thin coats as directed.

The Single-Step Cleaner and Polish will not fill scratches or dents, however using the satin sheen polish, scratches can become much less noticeable. Be sure to first soften large scratches with a green scrub pad by rubbing in the direction of the grain, then coat with polish.

You are going to apply the Single-Step directly to the floor in a thin "S" shape and spread immediately using a clean, well-rinsed microfiber mop.

The Single-Step Gloss Floor Cleaner and Polish is going to have a higher gloss than the satin and the satin has more of a softer sheen. Which you choose will be dependent on your desired finish or your flooring. 

The degree of traffic that the flooring would be subjected to would determine the timeframe of how often you would have to apply the Cleaner and Polish. This product is only needed to be applied as a refresher or protector, so using it monthly may be appropriate for a high traffic area. In a low use area, that might be a little much. Use whenever the flooring area loses its satin or gloss sheen. Overtime the product can build up and you may need to use New Beginnings Floor Stripper to remove the layers of Single-Step then reapply a new thin layer of Single-Step to once again refresh and protect the floor.

New Beginnings manufactured by Armstrong would be the suggested stripper to remove the Single-Step Floor Cleaner and Polish. Please follow the directions that are printed on the bottle for its application and removal.

Single-Step Cleaner and Polish is specially formulated for Allure Flooring, and can be used on vinyl, wood, tile or stone.

We wouldn't advise using this on new ceramic tile, but if the ceramic was worn down or dull, Single-Step would be great to freshen your floor.

First, sweep or vacuum floor. New or very dirty floors should be pre-cleaned with a vinyl cleaner. Stains, black scuffmarks, grit, oil or other contaminates should be removed as well. Scratched or tough-to-remove marks may be removed using a green scrub and, rubbing in the direction of the grain. Shake bottle to mix. Apply a small amount directly to the floor in a "S" shape and spread immediately using a clean, well-rinsed microfiber mop.

Single-Step should not be diluted.

The Mix2Match FloorFix is great for filling gaps if there is a large enough gap that the filler can be applied to. If the hole is deeper, you might want to apply a couple layers of plain putty 1st, then save the pigmented mixture layer for last.

The Mix2Match FloorFix can repair deep scratches and gouges where putty can be applied and stick. The surface scratches can be masked with CalFlor's Vinyl ScratchAway.

Repairs completely dry within 8-12 hours, however you can speed this up by using a blow dryer or heat gun. Allow to fully cure (2-3 days) before heavy use.

Unfortunately, our Hard Surface Repair Kit is not intended for use in high water exposure areas such as shower floors, water-line or below on tubs, spas or pools, sinks, or outdoor products that may be exposed to the elements.

If it's a deep scratch our FloorFix or Hard Surface Repair kit are great solutions because you can customize the repair coloring to the wood grain. ScratchAway and our ScratchCure repair pens are great solutions for surface scratches.

The lacquer seals the repair making the repair durable and less susceptible to traffic, maintenance, and moisture, while giving it a nice finish. Layers of lacquer can help better match different sheen levels in a floor.

Warm water will clean up excess putty, if the putty has hardened and water cleanup is not preferred, you can scrape the excess away.

Yes, The Hard Surface Repair Kit is a great solution for very deep scratches, chips, and cracks where the filler can be applied. If the scratch isn’t deep enough, we suggest using our ScratchCure Repair Pens. 

Unfortunately, our Hard Surface Repair Kit is not intended for use in high water exposure areas such as shower floors, water-line or below on tubs, spas or pools, sinks, or outdoor products that may be exposed to the elements.

Yes, the Multi-Surface Repair Kit would be a great choice for your vinyl flooring repairs.

Unfortunately, our Hard Surface Repair Kit is not intended for use in high water exposure areas such as shower floors, water-line or below on tubs, spas or pools, sinks, or outdoor products that may be exposed to the elements.

Yes, the Hard Surface Repair Kit will work on most hard surfaces including Formica, and has a variety of formulas for you to utilize.

The Multi-Surface Repair Kit is a great solution for your granite countertop repair.

The Hard Surface Repair Kit is a great solution for Corian repair for chips and cracks where the filler can be applied if there isn’t any polish on the chipped surface to prevent the putty from adhering. Building up deep chips may take a couple applications. 

If it's a deep scratch our FloorFix or Hard Surface Repair kit are great solutions because you can customize the repair coloring to the wood grain. ScratchAway and our ScratchCure repair pens are great solutions for surface scratches.

The lacquer seals the repair making the repair durable and less susceptible to traffic, maintenance, and moisture, while giving it a nice finish. Layers of lacquer can help better match different sheen levels in a floor.

Warm water will clean up excess putty, if the putty has hardened and water cleanup is not preferred, you can scrape the excess away.

ScratchAway is specially formulated for wood and laminate floors, and unfortunately wouldn't be recommended to use on glass.

Yes, ScratchAway can be used on bamboo flooring. It may work for your table as well. However, we recommend testing in an inconspicuous area prior to applying to the main surface. CalFlor ScratchCure Repair Pens are also a great solution to repair scratches on tables.

ScratchAway is specially formulated for wood and laminate floors. We would recommend using our Vinyl ScratchAway for vinyl products.

ScratchAway is manufactured for hiding or masking scratches and would be able to cover a large area, however it is not a permanent fix for scratches. Large, worn, scratched laminate floors sometimes will benefit more from a "refresher" topcoat product. ScratchAway works great for localized areas and only takes seconds to apply.

ScratchAway and our ScratchCure repair pens are great solutions for surface scratches. If it's a deep scratch our FloorFix or Hard Surface Repair kit are great solutions because you can customize the repair coloring to the wood grain.

CalFlor ScratchCure Repair Pens are not oil-based rather, pigmented alcohol-based.

ScratchCure repair pens are designed to be used on hard surfaces such as flooring and cabinets or tables. We cannot guarantee the effectiveness of ScratchCure on soft materials, however it may work for your needs. If you want to test it, make sure to have some rubbing alcohol and soft towel on hand to use to blend, in case the color isn’t to your liking.

Yes, ScratchCure repair pens are designed to be used on hard surfaces such as flooring and cabinets or tables.

ScratchAway and our ScratchCure repair pens are great solutions for surface scratches. If it's a deep scratch our FloorFix or Hard Surface Repair kit are great solutions because you can customize the repair coloring to the wood grain.

You mix the color into the putty. However if you are filling a deep hole you can pre-fill the hole with putty and then cover the top portion with a putty tint mixture.

The Mix2Match TileFix is a great solution for marble floor and countertop repairs for chips and for cracks large enough that the filler can be applied. It can create the same marbling pattern as your marble surface. 

TileFix is not manufactured for use on dinner plates or products that are used for serving or eating food. If this is a decorative plate used only as a display, TileFix may be applied if the chip is deep enough, however this type of application has not been tested. 

Yes, Mix2Match TileFix is a great solution to repair a postformed countertop chip. 

TileFix is a great repair solution for tile floors. Providing the instructions are followed, it will dry as hard as the floor.

The Mix2Match TileFix Kit is a great solution for marble repair, however, please note that it is not intended for use in high water areas such as the water-line or below on tubs.

Yes. Mix2Match TileFix Is a great solution for filling chips, deep scratches and gaps. However, it will not disguise fine cracks where there is no space for the filler to grab to. Nor will it act as an adhesive, so it won’t prevent the crack from spreading further. Using a stiff putty knife, push and compress the filler as deep into the seam as possible. Another option for gaps if you’re working with a large seam would be our ColorSeal perimeter sealant which comes in 6 different colors and a 5.5 oz. squeeze tube. 

The MIxMatch TileFix is manufactured as a repair kit for gaps, chips, and deep scratches. This is not a cleaner, nor a surface repair or refresher.

The putty is white, but if you need a brighter white, there is also a white pigment included.

The Mix2Match TileFix is a great solution for ceramic floor repair for chips and cracks where the filler can be applied. However, it will not disguise fine cracks where there is no space for the filler to adhere to and will not act as an adhesive to stop further cracking.

No, the TileFix Repair Kit is not intended for use in high water areas such as showers floors, water-line or below on tubs, spas or pools, or outdoor products that may be exposed to the elements.

Yes, Mix2Match TileFix will work great for your ceramic tile repair. 

The lacquer seals the repair making the repair durable and less susceptible to traffic, maintenance, and moisture, while giving it a nice finish. Layers of lacquer can help better match different sheen levels in a floor.

The Mix2Match TileFix Kit is a durable repair that will withstand regular foot traffic, if the instructions are followed and the repair isn’t protruding from the surface of the material. TileFix is not an adhesive and is not going to prevent further cracking.

When the putty and pigment mixture dries, it will be a slightly darker shade than when wet. The swatches included with the formulas will be the color that the product would dry to if mixed correctly. We suggest you dry small amounts of your current mixture as you go along. Small, thin tests of your larger batch will dry very quickly. Use of a hair dryer also speeds up color blending.

The Mix2Match TileFix repair kit can accommodate for multiple smaller repairs or a few larger repairs. With larger repairs, customizing and grain duplication can be a bit more challenging. If you need additional putty, please email us at info@cal-flor.com. 

When working with wood grained laminate floors, we suggest using the Mix2Match FloorFix which is specialized for laminate and hard wood repairs.

Warm water will clean up excess putty, if the putty has hardened and water cleanup is not preferred, you can scrape the excess away.

Mix2Match TileFix hasn’t been tested for statue applications, however, would be a great solution for a marble surface. The kit contains putty and different pigments to create various colors and shades, so it may be the solution for your statue repair, but keep in mind TileFix is not manufactured for outdoor use so the location of the statue is quite significant.

TileFix is water resistant and can withstand being in contact with water. However, it is not waterproof, and is not intended to be used in high water areas such as shower floors, water-line or below on tubs, sinks, spas, pools or outdoor products that may be exposed to the elements. TileFix isn’t manufactured for outdoor use and hasn’t been tested for outdoor use against the elements. Whereas it will work initially when coated with the lacquer included in the kit, we don’t know the fade or weathering resistance when directly exposed to the elements.

You mix the color into the putty. However, if you are filling a deep hole you can pre-fill the hole with putty and then cover the top portion with a putty tint mixture.

The Mix2Match TileFix is a great solution for granite repair for chips and cracks where the filler can be applied. However, it will not disguise fine cracks where there is no space for the filler to adhere to.

Yes, Mix2Match VinylFix can be used on linoleum floors and will work on razor cuts providing that the damaged area is big enough for the putty to be pushed into.

The lacquer seals the repair making the repair durable and less susceptible to traffic, maintenance, and moisture, while giving it a nice finish. Layers of lacquer can help better match different sheen levels in a floor.

Warm water will clean up excess putty, if the putty has hardened and water cleanup is not preferred, you can scrape the excess away.

Yes, if there is enough depth to the burn that you can fill it with the putty and pigment mixture and you are working with a hard surface like flooring, countertops or furniture like cabinets, you can use the Mix2Match Vinyl Fix for the repair. You may need to cut away at the burn to level it and remove any black from the edge. VinylFix is not intended for use as a paint, though you could try the lacquer and tints included, however we cannot guarantee the durability of the repair.

The Mix2Match VinylFix kit does not repair small surface scratches, but is great for holes, gaps, tears, gouges and the like. To make small scratches less visible, try Vinyl ScratchAway.

Mix2Match VinylFix can be used to make wood repairs. Another option we offer is Mix2Match FloorFix, which is a smaller kit with an expanded wood formula selection.

How much this kit can repair is dependent on the length, width, and depth of the damage. The damage area will need to be deep enough for putty to stick to. While there is enough putty in one tube to do about a 5" x 4" repair (at a minimum 1/16" depth), we don't recommend much larger than an inch by an inch. This is because it becomes difficult to disguise a bigger repair than that. The pigments are enough for multiple repairs as they are highly pigmented. If you are working with deeper repairs, you can always use the putty alone to fill most of the repair than finish off with the pigmented mixture. For damage that large, the preferred method is often to take a piece of leftover flooring, place it over the damage and cut through both layers to create a patch inlay. If this is not possible, you can patch with putty, but the repair will not likely disappear or blend in. Should you require more putty, please contact us at CalFlor. 

How long the repair will last is dependent on many factors, including the traffic level of the area and on whether the repair is slightly recessed or not. However, we have found repairs to last many years with normal wear and tear.

Yes, over time, with foot traffic and regular cleaning, ScratchAway will need to be re-applied.

The Vinyl ScratchAway is applied with the mohair applicator tip and is buffed clear.

Vinyl ScratchAway is only intended for use on vinyl and LVT flooring.