Flooring with asbestos? Testing/removal?

[311Hemi]

Ok....on to the next project on my kitchen remodel. Pulled up the laminate flooring and there is Vinyl underneath it. Now I am trying to determine if it contains asbestos or not.

I will rule on the side that it does....as far as removal goes. I found a MN Dept. of Health web site on removal in general info.

Just wanted to see if anyone has any other suggestions? Can I get this tested and if so does it cost much?

[Stratosman]

Is it vinyl or VCT? How old is it? What kind of flooring are you doing over it? Asbestos is not harmful unless disturbed, the dust resulting from this is the killer. Depending on the floor being installed it is sometimes left in place...not going to give you advice on that though.

I think it's a safe bet that most vinyl tiles 20 plus years old contain asbestos. Removal is typically done wet as to eliminate dust particles. I know that abatement is expensive but not sure on the test costs.

I'm sure someone else will weigh in here.

[polarsusd81]

If I remember correctly there is a disposal/sanitation site just north of Elk River that handles asbestos and other hazardous materials. If you take a small chunk there they told me they will test it for you. I called a while back to find out about their services. Just be very careful when dealing with the stuff. My floor turned out okay, just plain vinyl with no asbestos (have yet to pull it up though).

[311Hemi]

I found out it's $25 to have it tested.

I can dispose of it in Elk River.

The flooring needs to come up for the tile I am putting in. It not tiles, it's sheets of linoleum. I suspect it has asbestos but not 100% sure.

If it does I am planning on just slicing though it with a razor and lifting up the entire sub floor with the linoleum attached.

[sparcebag]

Linoleum is yet made, and its made of cloth and linseed oil treated and heated to form the material.Stamped and colored.

[311Hemi]

OK....well I am not sure if it's Vinyl or Linoleum....I kind of think of them as the same...even thought they probably are not.

[GotOne]

Do you know how old the flooring is?

[sparcebag]

Linoleum or Vinyl no asbestos,Asbestoa was used to make tiles however they were 12"x 12" and were a brittle tile

[traveler]

Exactly. Never heard of sheet goods made with asbestos. I think you're in the clear.

[311Hemi]

I am guessing it is from at least the 70's. There is actually two layers of it. I don't know if the bottom layer is a sheet though.

All sites I have checked out say that sheet linoleum from the 70's and the glue used to secure it could contain asbestos. This flooring looks exactly like in our old house...same pattern/design...and that was determined to contain asbestos. Thats why this all came up in the first place.

"Asbestos is present in many common building materials used in private homes and in public buildings. An asbestos containing product can not be determined by sight. The only way to determine if asbestos is definitely present in a material is through microscopic analysis by an approved laboratory. Some common materials that may contain asbestos include:

Flooring materials including:

* 9 inch by 9 inch floor tile (older, thicker floor tile)

* 12 inch by 12 inch floor tile (commonly used today)

* Sheet linoleum

* Mastic (glue located under the floor tile or linoleum)

"

[GotOne]

Sheet vinyl DID have asbestos. The EPA's cut off date for producing new material containing asbestos was 1989. I believe they gave them till 1992 to clear all inventory from manufacturers/retailers. Also, many adhesives had asbestos back then. Do I have to add a disclaimer> if so, I do. Check the EPA's web site. Pretty cheap test, I would have both layer tested.

[sparcebag]

Well under those cirumstances,Why ask if your confused,pay and have it tested!

[traveler]

Well that comes as a surprise to me. And it kinda sucks, I've been dealing with (and occasionally removing) the stuff for years. Obviously, with that info I'd have it tested, and i'mm gonna be much more selective on what I'm willing to handle. Probably too late though, we don't see much of it anymore.

[Kostoglotov]

Not for nothing but, if the tile does contain asbestos and I was removing in for my house, I wouldn’t have a problem removing it. Asbestos particulates are the danger and VAT isn’t very friable.

You also get into a bunch of other headaches (Reporting, cost and potential future liability) if you test the tile and adhesive and it comes up positive.

YMMV

[311Hemi]

Quote:

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Not for nothing but, if the tile does contain asbestos and I was removing in for my house, I wouldn’t have a problem removing it. Asbestos particulates are the danger and VAT isn’t very friable.

You also get into a bunch of other headaches (Reporting, cost and potential future liability) if you test the tile and adhesive and it comes up positive.

YMMV

---

Good point....I was wondering about that.

We were not even gona pull it up...we were going to slice it with a razr and tear up the 4x8 sheets of sub flooring and dispose of the complete pieces. Hopefully that would minimize much of any particles.

[Sifty]

Once again, if the tile comes up in whole pieces you will be ok. When you are cutting the whole sheet of plywood. WEAR A RESPIRATOR.

If you look at the amount of asbestos in the tile and adhesive compare to the other things that contain it is pretty minumal.

Also it is a good idea to wet the area's as you remove them.

This will help with airborn particals.

Poly off any area's next to the room and also cover all cold air returns and ducts.

Sifty

[311Hemi]

Well do...and we are not cutting up the wood floor...just lifting up the sub floor...so not cutting other other than with a razor through the linoleum.

Thanks!