Basp00get remodel -- Asbestos floor tiles

Topic: Basp00get remodel -- Asbestos floor tiles (Read 3564 times) previous topic - next topic

Basp00get remodel -- Asbestos floor tiles

November 23, 2012, 08:38:58 AM

My basp00get (approx 1600 sq ft) at one time was finished out (house was built in the 50's) but was pretty nasty when I bought the place. I ripped out all the ceiling tiles as they were moldy, threw out years of the family that lived there before me accumulated, and demolished/removed a small room/walls. I also have painted the walls with moisture inhibiting paint. Now I am ready to remove the floor tiles and do the whole thing in ceramic tile.

I've done some research and my tiles really looked like asbestos. This freaks my wife out because we have a 1 year old and she didn't like the thought of me removing them and contaminating our house. I did send samples off for testing and they are indeed asbestos.

Anyone have suggestions on the best way to remove this stuff? How dangerous is it to do yourself, and how do you go about it? The asbestos tiles are loose and in poor condition. I am afraid of putting new flooring over the top of them for fear that they would end up coming loose.

I've got opinions all over the board on this from "take them up its not a big deal" to "your an idiot for even thinking of taking those up and risking your family's health". I probably already exposed myself to it somewhat as I have pulled up a few of the very loose tiles, and I'm wondering if those ceiling tiles I removed were asbestos too (I didn't wear a mask or anything).

Basp00get remodel -- Asbestos floor tiles

Reply #1 – November 23, 2012, 09:45:22 AM

Asbestos is stable if it is undisturbed. As soon as you move it, it creates dust that is stirred up into the air, and that's what creates the possible health issues.

That being said, I would think it's very possible to be careful while removing the tiles. If they're already lifting up then they're loose enough to be transferred to garbage bags. And obviously you'd want a LOT of proper ventilation. A painter's one-piece suit and gloves would probably be in order.

And I think you were right about the ceiling tiles: they probably had asbestos, and WAY more of it, than the floor tiles ever could. Still, the tiles are nothing to discount.

I'm in the same boat eventually...weighed the risks and knowing what I do from the construction trade (EPA certification for lead paint), it's something you can handle if you just be smart and careful.

Basp00get remodel -- Asbestos floor tiles

Reply #2 – November 23, 2012, 10:00:24 AM

We were in a similar situation. Our house was built in the 50s as well and does have the same tiles.What I did was to install a high quality click floor with the premium underlay and leave the existing floor undisturbed. It wasn't what we had in mind but so far is holding up well and I can "breath easier" knowing it is sealed....LOL.

Basp00get remodel -- Asbestos floor tiles

Reply #3 – November 23, 2012, 11:22:43 AM

Quote from: EricCoolCats;403050

Asbestos is stable if it is undisturbed. As soon as you move it, it creates dust that is stirred up into the air, and that's what creates the possible health issues.

That being said, I would think it's very possible to be careful while removing the tiles. If they're already lifting up then they're loose enough to be transferred to garbage bags. And obviously you'd want a LOT of proper ventilation. A painter's one-piece suit and gloves would probably be in order.

And I think you were right about the ceiling tiles: they probably had asbestos, and WAY more of it, than the floor tiles ever could. Still, the tiles are nothing to discount.

I'm in the same boat eventually...weighed the risks and knowing what I do from the construction trade (EPA certification for lead paint), it's something you can handle if you just be smart and careful.

I do know that there was dust EVERYWHERE when I removed those ceiling tiles. They were in poor condition. At the time I never even thought about asbestos!

Quote

We were in a similar situation. Our house was built in the 50s as well and does have the same tiles.What I did was to install a high quality click floor with the premium underlay and leave the existing floor undisturbed. It wasn't what we had in mind but so far is holding up well and I can "breath easier" knowing it is sealed....LOL.

Can you elaborate on this type of flooring? Sounds interesting. Is it a floating type floor? I wonder how it would work on an uneven base or over the top of loose tiles? I do have one area with a drain where the floor is uneven.

Basp00get remodel -- Asbestos floor tiles

Reply #4 – November 23, 2012, 11:31:52 AM

unless your exposed to the dust constantly....you will be fine to remove them just wearing a respirator, and washing your work clothes seperately. you can spry them with a water mist while sing them up incase you make dust...they generally pop up as full tiles when they are old. its about the same precautions as removing lead from your house

if you have a forced air furnace, I would make sure it isnt running and sucking the dust you may create and blowing it all over the house... I have taken up many many asbestos floors in the last 30 years.. they generally don't create that much dust at all compared to the old steam pipe wrap which also has to be wet down to removed and then double bagged.... floor tile you can just toss in a trash bag and put it out to the curb

Basp00get remodel -- Asbestos floor tiles

Reply #5 – November 23, 2012, 12:12:50 PM

Thanks Daminc, I was hoping you would weigh in on this. I thought you were pretty experienced in this sort of thing. Yes the ones I've already removed popped right up.

I was planning on turning the furnace off and covering up the return so it doesnt spread.

Basp00get remodel -- Asbestos floor tiles

Reply #6 – November 24, 2012, 01:20:49 AM

i deal with this with my projects constantly,, your worst part were the cieling tiles.

usually ,, and this is 95 times out of a 100, if the tiles themselves measured 8'' x 8'', its a sure sign they are asbestos.
the floor tiles are the least of your problem. dampen down the work are like said for the floor and remove. you wont need much protection for the floor tiles, your not going to be cutting them or sawing at them so no dust.

if you dont want to deal with it, serve pro can come in and remove them. Wish you had asked about the ceiling tiles first, theres were your dust was.

you may want to get a blower in there and let it vent outside though a sock to collect the dust in the sock placed outside.
this will help pull air through the basp00get. Next mask up and wear a respirator, full face shield and a disposable painters coverall,, next go down in the basp00get with a leaf blower and disturb ever single corner of the overhead and let the dust fly.

let the blower do the rest.

sound good?

Basp00get remodel -- Asbestos floor tiles

Reply #7 – November 24, 2012, 01:10:54 PM

Quote from: 50tbrd88;403053

Can you elaborate on this type of flooring? Sounds interesting. Is it a floating type floor? I wonder how it would work on an uneven base or over the top of loose tiles? I do have one area with a drain where the floor is uneven.

It's just a laminate interlocking floating floor like you can get at Lowes or Home Depot.

Basp00get remodel -- Asbestos floor tiles

Reply #8 – November 29, 2012, 11:43:06 PM

Generally speaking, building materials containing asbestos such as exterior roof tiles; exterior siding and floor tile can be safely removed without special handling. Just dont go about breaking them up with a hammer, etc. If you break pieces of same, the asbestos is still contained within the material the tile is made with--in case of the VA tile (Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tile) that is the vinyl composition--just handle carefully--dont smoke it as a joint! VA floor tile was common floor finishing material used for decades--I believe all the 9 inch square stuff is asbestos composition(?) Usually no landfills require special handling for these because risk is low. On the other hand, loose 100% asbestos insulation wrap or padding used on steam pipes; boilers/ductwork and such (Characteristic fragile gray wrapping on pipe) is hazardous and requires careful handling. If not damaged, leave it alone. Interesting that Asbestos roof tiles (characteristic diamond shaped gray tiles) seen on old homes typically installed over an original wood shingled steep roof---these tiles lasted "forever" if they were not cracked from ice loads or other maladies. What happens to these roof tiles is that the NAILS holding them down rust/deteriorate and break causing the tiles to come off. I still see these roofs (and siding) in my area. They are now over 60-70 years old for the most part! Sometimes you may/can heat up a floor tile with a propane torch to soften the adhesive under it to remove it. Just dont overheat/overdue it. VA tile can be very rigid and not very pliable--you just have to test it out and use the right tools/method. There are still salvage yards which take the roof and wall tiles for resale as they are in demand for repairs (as far as I know). The problem with roof tiles--you cant walk on them!! The siding and roofs have that dirty off-white/gray appearance at this age. The siding can be painted and many have been. I painted such a house in the 1980s--the siding has since been repainted by the present owner.

Basp00get remodel -- Asbestos floor tiles

Reply #9 – November 30, 2012, 01:16:07 PM

Tomorrow is tile removal day. I am going tonight to buy some painters coveralls and a small propane torch. The majority of the tiles are already loose and should come up without even cracking them.

My Dad has two respirators we use to deal w/grain dust (the kind with filters, not just a paper mask) and I have a garden hose ready to soak the tiles down. Its supposed to be around 60 degrees here tomorrow so it should be a good day to shut off the furnace and open some windows.

The plan is to put them in heavy duty garbage bags and figure out how to dispose of later. Hopefully the landfills around here will take them.