Questions about laying ceramic tile? Safety?

What does the installation instructions say?

We haven't chosen which we want to use.

I'm just asking in general. When I look at the product online it talks about silica dust in the grout which would be used for either method..and how it's carcinogenic.

And on the interlocking the rubber piece has the carbon black and titanium dioxide which also says it's carcinogenic or possibly. I don't know what this would mean for us though.. or if it even applies to us on such a small level since we don't really work with it. It's just for replacing our floors one time.

Also with the dust, will it get into our ventilation system through the vents and all through our house.. I'm just nervous about it. I didn't know any of this until i was looking at the product online trying to decide which I want to go with.

You aren't going to be grinding up the rubber interlocking pieces or generating any dust, at most you'll be scoring and cutting, so no worries there. As for grout, once it is wetted, dust won't be a problem. When mixing it, wear a respirator. Just follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

HDS said:

You aren't going to be grinding up the rubber interlocking pieces or generating any dust, at most you'll be scoring and cutting, so no worries there. As for grout, once it is wetted, dust won't be a problem. When mixing it, wear a respirator. Just follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

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He is actually getting the premixed kind of grout. So this shouldn't be an issue then for us, right?

I think we are going to go with the regular ceramic tiles and he will use durlock and thinset mortar.

So my biggest concern now is when we pull up the old tiles and grout, will that dust cause any issues? I'm nervous it (the dust) will get into the crawl space from the toilet being out or through the vents in the floor and get into our ventilation system and hurt us. We have an open ventilation system in our crawl space due to a wood foundation.

Is the silica dust not an issue when it is set? No danger to us? Like when my son is in the bathroom barefoot. Is the warning really only meant for people in the occupation of working with it daily? in the powder form? I'm assuming that's what it means...and not really a danger to people in general who just use it in their bathroom and kitchen, right?

Most paint has TiO2, and sand is predominately SiO2. The people at danger are those with long term occupational exposure like miners, tunnelers and the like.

Quit worrying

Right now we have a big hole in the bathroom floor where the toilet was because of water damage. We are fixing that.. and that's what lead to replacing the tile. I keep getting nervous the dust will get into there because he has a fan on it right now to make sure the wood is dried out.

Silica is not asbestos. You are worrying way to much

I know I probably am. Ever since I saw that it was a carcinogenic it scared me. But I'm learning it's not really carcinogenic in the form we use. I just didn't know if when he broke up the old flooring if the broken up grout would get into the open ventilation system we have due to our wood foundation.

Good luck, I'm out

I'm with Anti-wingnut on this one, your way over thinking this one.
Last year when I was on vacation I bought myself a new leather wallet, fishing reel, and some line for it.
When I opened up the packaging there was a warning label in everyone that said something like "This item contains materials know to be carcinogenic".
Enjoy that new car smell when you buy a new car?
That's the off gassing of all that foam and plastic used, none of which is good for you.

Shenanigans.

Thanks... well I'm sure I was overreacting to it. I'm over sensitive to that stuff.

I do have a new question about whether we should use the premixed stuff (what the guy helping us recommends) It's TEC premixed ready to use from Menards.. Or if we should get the stuff we mix and use a sealant?

I posted a separate question. We just aren't sure what is best to do for these floors.

mhp8982 said:

...... and it's a known carcinogen!

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I bought jack stands to work on the truck today, and they had a California State cancer causing substance warning. I didn't think getting crushed caused cancer.