Asbestos in my basement...

[recycled sixtie]

What would you do here?Floor tiles have asbestos in them. They are stuck to the floor with a sticky black glue. Used desolve it product - very smelly and does not do a good job of removing tar like glue. See pics of tile before and after removal.
What do you suggest? Basement has about 1100 sq. ft of this and I have just scratched the surface. Ideas?

[Jferr006]

I thought the rule on asbestos was to encapsulate OR have it professionally removed? I'd float new flooring on top if waterproofing isnt a problem.

[Zeke]

Asbestos is only harmful when it's disturbed. The only real danger there is if you sand the old floor to apply a new one. Chipping and scraping the floor out is relatively safe. If you have any concerns beyond that, you can keep things slight wet while working. Vac the area with a HEPA vac (again because you are making any residual AB airborne) and put the new floor down. There will be a trace of AB in the mastic, but it's fully impregnated. Just use common sense.

Again, the only stupid thing you can do is sand the existing tiles or the bare sub floor after removal. Even then, there won't be much AB in the base. Breaking tiles releases a infinitesimal amount of AB which can be contained by vacuuming, not sweeping, with the option of using some water to contain any dust you might make. Put a little detergent in the water as a wetting agent to keep it from balling up on any wax.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by Jferr006

I thought the rule on asbestos was to encapsulate OR have it professionally removed? I'd float new flooring on top if waterproofing isnt a problem.

You need to get that professionally removed. It needs to be disposed correctly too. The other option is what Janet suggests: Floor over it if you can.

[Zeke]

I'm certified in AB removal. If you don't know what you are talking about, don't post. A professional would do as I stated with one more process. They would provide a sealed staging area to change clothes and clean their shoes (or remove booties) before proceeding to the outside or another part of the house. I should have mentioned not tracking any debris out of the work area rather than thinking that was covered in "common sense."

The sealed transfer area is the same for any project, meaning the same for far more intricate removal such as loose AB over pipes and ducts. There is no half way on that. However, the risk to a homeowner for tile removal and subsequent contamination is minimum concerning floor tiles. I would say there is already AB present in the room and on the outside. Using the HEPA filter on the vac should remediate the situation to safe levels should the level even get to noticeable.

I don't know how old the home is, but AB is present in a lot of construction materials. Anyone could make a mountain out of this molehill. The concrete, the old plaster or drywall, ceiling tiles, etc.

Shoot, if you want, you could make this into a superfund clean-up project.

It's not at this point.

[Jferr006]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I'm certified in AB removal. If you don't know what you are talking about, don't post..

Those of us that aren't professionals are given that general rule of thumb. If you ARE a professional, fantastic, state that in your first reply and we will happily assume you know more than us..!..or you could be a d**k...w/e.

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by Zeke

If you don't know what you are talking about, don't post.

They'd have to shut this place down if that were the case.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by Gogar

They'd have to shut this place down if that were the case.

I just love this forum. It gives me a break from renovations. Won't be selling the house for 5-10 years. You guys and girls are priceless professional or not!Always worth the price of admission.

[Jferr006]

hahah that it is. People go from 0-@$$hole quicker than kinky fetish porn.

Good luck on the reno's!...

[wdfifteen]

What kind of flooring do you intend to put down?

I had a similar issue with a remodel I'm just finishing. The area that was to be carpeted got a coat of Killz over the asbestos before they laid the carpet padding (dog pee issues as well as helping to encapsulate the tile). I (personally) removed the tile in the areas that were going to get porcelain tile. It came up so easily that many of the tiles came up 100% intact. I tiled right over the adhesive.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by Jferr006

hahah that it is. People go from 0-@$$hole quicker than kinky fetish porn.

Good luck on the reno's!...

Janet, I like your sense of humor!

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Jferr006

hahah that it is. People go from 0-@$$hole quicker than kinky fetish porn.

Good luck on the reno's!...

Just where is kinky fetish porn going now? I'm afraid I don't understand.

[Hugh R]

Pretty much what Zeke said. I used to manage huge Asbestos removal jobs.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

What kind of flooring do you intend to put down?

I had a similar issue with a remodel I'm just finishing. The area that was to be carpeted got a coat of Killz over the asbestos before they laid the carpet padding (dog pee issues as well as helping to encapsulate the tile). I (personally) removed the tile in the areas that were going to get porcelain tile. It came up so easily that many of the tiles came up 100% intact. I tiled right over the adhesive.

I was thinking of putting underlay and carpet on top of the concrete but painting the concrete first with some kind of basement/waterproof paint. That is the first project in the small downstairs bedroom. However I want to have the concrete spotless before I paint the floor. I can see why many of u profs. and non profs. recommend entombing the tiles as it is the easy route to go.

Here the regs. in Alberta states that you must disclose when selling the house that you have asbestos in the house eg. floor tiles even though there is low risk until the floor tiles are sanded or disturbed(sanding won't happen with me).

[Aragorn]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Just where is kinky fetish porn going now? I'm afraid I don't understand.

Mushroom stamp?

[Zeke]

AB disclosure is common. Most understand the risks. In CA, we all allowed to paint AB and leave it in schools. What more sensitive environment is there than a school?

Painting/sealing the floor is an excellent idea. If you are going to cover the floor with carpet, why the meticulous preparation? In the long run, you might be better off doing as Janet said and just covering the existing floor. However, if you have moisture problems, that might not be the best way to go.

By "underlayment," what do you mean? Some will cover the existing floor with a vapor barrier and install sheet goods over thin sleepers. There is a lot to think about here. If you decide to shoot down any attachments whether by ram power or drilling, you are disturbing the floor. With the tile still there, this is a no-go. If you have a moisture problem, this could exacerbate it.

Aside from the original AB tile question, I'd proceed carefully.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Aragorn

Mushroom stamp?

I'll stick with the fish.

[Jferr006]

Zeke is the pro.. if he says it's ok it's probably ok. Personally, even with professional advice I'd either let the pro do it or cover it up undistrubed. I love a DIY home project but, messing with something potentially dangerous is not where I would want to wing it.

[wdfifteen]

Making the concrete spotless when it has tile adhesive on it is going to be a HUGE PITA.
I would do anything I could to avoid it, up to and including putting down ceramic tile.
I would scrape up the tile, paint the adhesive that is left on the concrete, and carpet it - unless it is below grade, then it would be ceramic tile.

[craigster59]

I've done this before in a 1920's house and it started out as a PITA. As Milt says, just don't sand or grind and dispose of waste properly and you'll be fine. Contact the authorities and you open a major can of worms that will cost $$$$.

I used this product and it made the project a breeze: Amazon.com: Bean-e-doo Mastic Remover 1 Gallon: Everything Else