Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Asbestos?

I would like to strip my kitchen floor however, the home is very old and I am concerned that the icky green tile on the floor has asbestos. Being a greenhorn at this, how can I tell if I need to call in a professional? Or can I strip the floor myself, using certain precautions to keep me safe?
Thanx

The only way to tell that a product contains asbestos is to send a sample to an accredited testing laboratory.

Here is a link to an EPA document on asbestos in the home.

http://www.prohousedr.com/epaasbestos.htm

Asbestos becomes a problem only when the fibers are released into the environment in sufficient numbers and concentration for a long enough time. If you remove the floor, avoid grinding, sawing, sanding, and scraping overmuch to keep dust to a minimum. Of course, you would try to keep dust down in any event. A good respirator and a HEPA filter on any vacuum device will help keep dust spread to a minimum.

See the sticky posting in this forum on the topic of Asbestos for further information.

Hope this helps.

Have a mop & bucket close by, and keep the area wet. The moisture will catch the dust.


It is the dust that gets you.

....by law, the sample should be taken by a licensed environmental consultant, which adds to the expense of testing it of course. Then if it is hot, an abatement contractor should take over your DIY project. (Just make sure they've got a clean record if you go that route... some are out to make a quick buck off of the health risk scare.)

:rolleyes: It really does sound ridiculous I know, and most people don't take precautions because of the hassle or costs involved. I still hear people say they "ate it for breakfast", how could it hurt them now? Until 20 years down the road.... I'm sure you've heard of mesothelioma.

If I may Chfite: KatBallew, I don't mean to lay on the scare but don't take the risk of exposing yourself by not knowing what you're dealing with. Even an approved NIOSH mask, neg/hepafilter and containment will not be effective in protecting you without the proper training. Also, never use your home vacuum during removal of suspected material, with or without a hepafilter. Most hepafilters for home vacs are not adequate in preventing fibers from contaminating your vacuum and then spreading throughout your home. It only takes one fiber to cause lung complications/disease in the future.

All of the safety precautions really depend on how big a project you have and more importantly, how friable or easy to crumble the material is. Tile is usually on the lower end of friability. Whereas material like acoustical ceiling spray is pretty high up there.

Follow the advice of Chfite and Carpets Done Wright in researching asbestos and testing the material. Or....If you do decide to do it yourself, heed their caution by causing as little destruction to the tile - AND mastic - as possible and keeping it wet during removal. In general, an abatement contractor will also do the following: Wear at least a NIOSH/OSHA-approved respirator mask with dual filters, protective suit, safety goggles, and gloves. Tape 6-mil poly up around entire area to keep the work contained. (Tape plastic up to block off area, doorways and prohibit anyone or pets from entering the 'containment' area. Don't leave food or drink out.) Dispose of the wet material as they go in plastic bags, and use wet, disposable towels to clean up the rest. (Contractors have approved hepavacs to vacuum the area.) They will then thoroughly clean all surrounding surfaces, shower and wash all clothes immediately.

Other important precautions that include maintaining a proper containment area, negative air machines, air monitoring/sampling devices, and personal air monitoring/sampling (of the worker's mask) are also in place. In addition to personal air monitoring, an environmental consultant takes air samples intermittently to ensure minimal exposure and fiber release. After notifying regulating authorities of 'clearance' (no fibers being released and material has been removed), notification of intended transport is submitted and the contractor is then required to transport all waste to an approved hazardous waste landfill.

Check out the various websites in the 'Asbestos Warning' post as suggested by Chfite, and with your state or county health dept to find out additional pertinent info for your area (i.e. guidelines, approved labs, suspect material).

I've been in the environmental industry for about 11 years now and I've seen some pretty nasty consequences. Asbestos was 'outlawed' or its uses in manufacturing began the phasing out process in and around 1979. It is common that 9X9 floor tiles (and mastic) installed prior to that time did contain asbestos. The "icky green tile" reference is a good clue. You were smart in being concerned.

Good luck....