Flooring Tile - Want to put down tile, but can't remove old vinyl flooring.

We are about to put in ceramic tiles in the bathroom, I understand you should not put tiles over vinyl flooring However we have been told that the vinyl flooring in our bathroom probaly contains asbestos and we should not attempt to remove it ourselves. Can we just put a layer of cement/backer board on top of the vinyl and then lay the ceramic tile, will that provide the stability needed? No one seems to have an answer to this quesion.

[Edited by paulnjen on 05-29-01 at 05:44]

Paulnjen -- Paul and Jennifer -- Paul and Jenny?

You can put the backer over the vinyl if the vinyl is not the cushion type. If it is the cushion type, it does not contain asbestos.

And even if it did contain asbestos, you could remove it. You would wear a dust mask. The only damage asbestos can do is to your lungs.

And even at that, one bathroom floor is not enough to do damage.

John (coughing up asbestos) Bridge

Yes, Paul and Jennifer or Jenny. Not sure yet if it is the cushion type, still have to remove adhesive tiles. Thank you and we will proceed as suggested.

Was the original flooring put down prior to or after 1977? This will be a pretty good indicator as to asbestos content.

If you still suspect an asbestos product use a mask as John suggested PLUS keep everything damp so as to lessen airborne particles and remove the glue with a gel type paint remover. It's way easier and contains ALL the suspected material in a mass of ooze.

John, Not good for open cuts either! Also grout and thinset manufactured prior to 1977 was loaded with it. VERY nasty stuff, and I'm sure we'll both be coughing up pieces of broken lung before our time. (Read a report that fibers from cutting Wonderboard isn't much better) Basically we're dead meat bud. :eek: I don't know about you, but I did a lot of grouting in the early/mid 70's and tore out I don't know how many done before then.

wheeze

Yeah, I started out in the early seventies, and I have an older brother who started in the late forties. He's on oxygen right now. Asbestosis, they call it.

And even though they've eliminated the the asbestos from thin set, the silica is still there. Can't get rid of that as far as I know.

From all info we have our house was built in 1979. My husband started pulling up the adhesive tile today and found the vinyl underneath was not even glued to the subfloor except at the edges, real quality job! So he pulled up that old vinyl with no problem, while wearing a mask to be on the safe side. Should we be wary of the glue that is left around the edges that was used to secure the vinyl to the subfloor.

No, don't worry. The linoleum you apparently had was known as "loose lay." I wouldn't EAT the glue, but other than that it's not a problem.

Guess you're ready to do some actual tile work.

John

THANKS FOR THE ANSWER AND THE LAUGH!