Removing Asbestos Vinyl Flooring

If you break the flooring into pieces while removing it you have effectively turned it into a friable material.

Removing asbestos vinyl flooring. When you remove that floor covering to make way for new flooring you may encounter the mastic and wonder whether it is safe to remove the main concern surrounding this question is that black mastic often contains asbestos. One notable instance is if you plan to restore the wood flooring underneath the asbestos vinyl tile. Removing vinyl flooring with asbestos requires special safety clothing and breathing respirators. Paint popcorn or acoustic ceilings with a specialized thick sealant for between 2 and 6 per square foot.

Even if the vinyl flooring is pulled up intact the old adhesive underneath may also contain asbestos. How to remove asbestos tiles. This is a highly invasive project that will break up and scatter asbestos fibers so you need to take the highest level of caution. You can lift and safely place the vinyl in a bag that is resistant and does not have any holes.

This article describes the proper procedure for removing vinyl asbestos floor tiles. Professionals will not remove the flooring if it is dry by drilling sanding dry scraping or sawing. Step 3 preparing the asbestos flooring for removal. However common sense dictates that unique and particularly challenging projects should not be undertaken by the homeowner.

If you decide to remove nonfriable vinyl asbestos flooring you have to be cautious for two reasons. Removing ceiling tiles costs between 5 and 15 per square foot. Asbestos was used in vinyl wallpaper from the 1920s and in the vinyl floor tiles and sheet flooring that rose to prominence in the 1950s. Take a utility knife and cut the asbestos into manageable pieces.

In some instances you may want to remove your asbestos tiles before installing another type of flooring. Next start lifting the asbestos vinyl tiles and with the scraper keep on separating the tile from the floor. Asbestos removal is a hazardous process best undertaken only by a qualified professional. Prior to the 1980s asbestos vinyl sheet flooring was very popular in homes.

Variables that a homeowner may encounter in an asbestos removal project. Common in homes built in the 20th century black mastic was used as an adhesive for ceramic tile linoleum and other flooring materials. In this publication we have tried to address the more common and most important issues involved in removing sheet vinyl flooring with asbestos backing. If you are removing the original vinyl floor from a home prior to 1980 you will need to locate a licensed asbestos abatement contractor to test your floor.

Asbestos vinyl flooring was a durable and economical material that offered many aesthetic options to suit a homeowner s taste. We also discuss leaving good condition vinyl asbestos tile vat in place cleaning it and treating the surface with a clear coat sealant or flooring restorer rejuvenator.