Newbuild Property

[Louise-66]

Hi there. We moved into our newbuild property 4wks ago. Due to the endless snagging list, (now a sprradsheet), we cannot put any flooring down. As a result we have a few rugs dotted about the place covering the fireboard floor put down by the builders. Since moving in, I have noticed an increase in the tightness in my chest and a change in my breathing.

Taking my Fostair daily, but literally on my ventolin every hour. Was so bad last night I had to sit upright until 630am. Have taken steroids, but the relief is minimal and short lived.

Would anyone know if there might be a link between the dust from the fireboards, (they are vacuumed daily), and the difficulties I am experiencing.

Running out of steroids and worried.

Thank you.

[Wheezycat]

The boards that have been put down are likely to have glues from manufacturing of them and stuff to make them fire retardant and such things often emits fumes from these into the air. It may be these as well as dust that is causing irritation. Many modern materials are known to do this. It may well get better over time. Is there anywhere you can go to stay for at least a few days?

[Hasel17]

I have no idea what fireboards mean, the floor in Germany is made of concrete, cement or some kind of wood and then covered with carpet, laminate or PVC floor.

Maybe you are allergic or sensitive to one from the materials or to something they are impregnated with.

Can't you stay and sleep for a few days somewhere else to test it?

I also couldn't sleep in a house without a floor or wallpaper. It would make my asthma worse.

[Louise-66 in reply to Hasel17]

Sadly, nowhere else to go....covid. firebiards are what they put down in apartment blocks to slow down the spread of fire. By now we would have our flooring and carpet down. Managed to get more steroids, chest still tight and painful though.Thank you for replying.

[farsiefu]

I’m moving into a new build in January and I’m worried about the dust setting off my asthma. I remember when my mum got an extension built we had dust for months after completion - think it’s common when new building work is done as everything is still settling and if there is building work still going on in the area.Only suggestion I have is regular damp dusting and vacuuming. Good luck 😩😩😩

[Poobah]

Hi Louise. What should be an exciting time is clearly becoming quite stressful, thanks to the snagging issues - unfortunately, not uncommon in new builds these days. The stress is probably playing just a big a part as the dust/building materials. I'm not sure what chemicals are used to make fire boards but builders are required to wear masks and eye protection when working with them, so I'm not surprised you're struggling. If there's a makers name printed on the boards you could Google what that manufacturer uses to make their product, as some are more eco friendly than others. But there could be fumes from paints and other materials that will decrease over time.

If you're unable to stay somewhere else until this is sorted then medication, possibly industrial masks and an air purifier are your only options. Ventilation will help if you can tolerate the chill air. If you ventilate your bedroom during the day in preparation for sleep and use an air purifier downstairs, that may clean up the air to the point where your meds are able to work more effectively.

In a way, this time in clearing up dust etc before you get your flooring down may be a blessing in disguise, in that flooring is not covering up dust etc that could eventually work its way through the flooring and be harder to shift later.

I hope you get things resolved soon and that you have many happy years in your new home.

[CaroReub]

Perhaps stress and frustration of the situation isn’t helping. Some yoga or meditation could help ?

[Griffon]

Just a thought , could it be the rugs causing your problem ?

[Fruitandnutcase]

From the sound of it the fireboards must contain some sort of chemical to slow down a fire which could easily make you wheeze. That plus new paint and emulsion which have fumes of their own plus general dust and drying out, then throw in stress from all the snagging and worry and it’s no wonder you are wheezing.

In view of having so many snagging problems could you maybe persuade your builders to install an industrial sized air purifier machine for a while until things are sorted - not sure what the technical term for it is and use it in the room (s) you are in most? Failing that get one for your urselves.

You could also wet dust every day to try and collect dust from any surfaces.

Meanwhile good ventilation ought to get rid of any fumes. Sounds awful though and not what you were probably expecting from a new house.

[Louise-66 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Will ask when they visit in January. Great idea!

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Louise-66]

Lay it on thick when they come 😉

[Louise-66]

Lol, and the Oscar goes too.......