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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To expect the Valspar paint we used not to make me ill and homeless at 34 weeks pregnant?

99 replies

virginiaejohnson · 09/08/2017 18:30

I'm at my wits end.

We are getting ready for the baby, so whilst ex has the kid on holiday we decided to get the house redecorated in a oner. Stressful, but a short push and we'll be all settled for the baby.

One room from being finished we noticed a smell like cats pee coming from the newly painted bedroom. We checked with the upstairs neighbour who had cats, but her house was completely fine.

The next day the smell intensifies, now it smells like gas, so we get the gas board out to check us and next door. Everything's fine, it's probably the paint he says.

My partner Googles this and finds hundreds of people who have had this problem. People have been rehousing cats, ripping up carpets, getting rid of couches, all because they didn't know where this smell came from. Valspar removed an additive that prevents bacteria from growing, so now when this paint is exposed to light and/or damp the bacteria are activated and start giving off ammonia and hydrogen sulphide.

That night, we go out to a film to try and take our minds off it. We feel so much better to be out of the flat, when we get home we try to just tough it out, sleep through it. But our eyes are burning, our throats hurt, my ears are blocked and my stomach acid is really really bad. Not just late pregnancy bad, but 250ml of Gaviscon in one night, swigging from the bottle bad.

We flee the house at 1am to stay at a friends house. We spent the next 2weeks

OP posts:
talonofthehawk · 09/08/2017 19:05

I think you're overreacting.
It stinks of piss- unpleasant but just because you're pregnant and stressed they won't 'put you up somewhere', you're not a special case.

Repaint or strip the walls.

virginiaejohnson · 09/08/2017 19:05

Yeah we're replastering.

It took a warm day for the smell to develop julia. The bacteria need the right environment. But also, Valspar have apparently sent folk round b and q to put additive back into their paints, maybe you were lucky and got a batch that was fixed.

OP posts:
DoubleCarrick · 09/08/2017 19:06

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2983017-So-valspar-is-MN-rated-right

You need zinsser bin to cover up the smell. But whatever you do, stay away from it yourself, it's toxic

virginiaejohnson · 09/08/2017 19:14

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090720134525.htm

:( :( :( :(

OP posts:
virginiaejohnson · 09/08/2017 19:15

We used zinsser bin. It didn't work :(

OP posts:
virginiaejohnson · 09/08/2017 19:17

Besides which, Valspar themselves are now saying zinsser doesn't work.

OP posts:
HipsterHunter · 09/08/2017 19:20

Wow is th smell that bad? That's such a terrible thing to happen :-(

virginiaejohnson · 09/08/2017 19:21

If it were just a smell I could live with it. But honestly the physical symptoms are very real. I'm far from the only person reporting it, though I do think that because I'm pregnant yeah I probably should be given a bit more consideration. Exposure limits are far lower in pregnancy.

OP posts:
DoubleCarrick · 09/08/2017 19:21

They've said zinsser doesn't work?? Seriously? Holy shit!

DoubleCarrick · 09/08/2017 19:22

Watchdog are currently researching into the potential health impact. Could you contact them?

MumIsRunningAMarathon · 09/08/2017 19:22

Where snd when have they said zinsser doesn't work?

virginiaejohnson · 09/08/2017 19:23

Of course, again, I can't make a proper risk assessment because the company insists that the chemicals are safe (so they must know what they are) but they refuse to say what the chemicals are (which is pretty damned fishy don't you think?).

OP posts:
DoubleCarrick · 09/08/2017 19:23

Op,.can I pm.you?

virginiaejohnson · 09/08/2017 19:24

My partner is on a FB group about this and valspar are now advising folk on it not to use zinsser because it's ineffective.

Didn't know about watchdog, will deffo get in touch.

OP posts:
elfinpre · 09/08/2017 19:26

That is really shit, OP, and also their reaction. Price up ALL your losses and bill Valspar.

virginiaejohnson · 09/08/2017 19:28

We're so lucky to have the money to try and put this right, but y'know we were hoping to use this money for the baby and I'm not imagining that I'll be getting this money back in a hurry. And certainly I doubt I'll see anything like appropriate compensation for what I've been through.

OP posts:
DoubleCarrick · 09/08/2017 19:28

What's the Facebook group called please op? We are just completing negotiations with valspar

virginiaejohnson · 09/08/2017 19:30

Yup pm me

OP posts:
virginiaejohnson · 09/08/2017 19:31

Valspar paint problems is the name of the fb group

OP posts:
HipsterHunter · 09/08/2017 19:46

I can't believe they are only offering £350. You can't pay a decorator to paint a room for that hardly let alone replaster.

SandyDenny · 09/08/2017 19:53

We have just done our sitting room in two coats of it, no issues at all

That's not really helpful to all the people who have had problems unless you're going to put them up Grin

DoubleCarrick · 09/08/2017 19:53

If you push they do pay for labour costs also.

virginiaejohnson · 09/08/2017 21:54

We'll be taking this up with lawyers for damages. What they've taken from us is worth so much more than money and time, they've taken my health and peace of mind at a very delicate stage in my family's life. I will never forgive them for that, and I will take them for as much as I can so they learn never to do it again, and perhaps my family will get a nice holiday out of it in the end. But no money, no holiday, could ever truly pay us back for what we've lost. It's beyond price Angry

OP posts:
Littlecaf · 09/08/2017 22:12

OP, I feel sorry for you and clearly the smell is awful but YABU for your reaction. Your health? You do know that heartburn is a common pg side effect? You are annoyed by the smell but moving out is a bit drastic. Perhaps see your midwife for reassurance & your GP for a chat too regarding stress & I sincerely hope you feel better soon.

CockacidalManiac · 09/08/2017 22:15

Plus, if the smell is making you nauseous (not unusual), that could be causing the heartburn too. I think YABU with your last post.

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