Asbestos in my basement...

[Zeke]

I don't know about Canada laws regarding AB and Pb. I do know the state and federal laws about the two here. As craig says, it's in the handling and disposal.

But, another point is that homeowners are allowed to do remediation work in a more casual manner than hired persons. Anyone doing this work professionally, or indeed, just as a paid entity, must follow some guidelines. Some are quite severe.

I'm not in the least suggesting be lackadaisical about this. Using "common sense" this is a very doable DIY project. No need to hire a specialist.

Now, for some of the quirky information that surrounds the issues of AB and lead disposal. According to our friends at the governmental level in environment regulation, items containing lead should be wrapped and sent to the land fill. Items containing AB should be wrapped, labeled and sent to a hazardous waste facility.

I see some inconsistency even if you don't.

[GWN7]

Those look like 9" VA tiles. They went to 12" in the mid 60's. Usually stuck down with a asphalt emulsion. You would spread the "glue" out and let it dry for 24 hrs then lay your tiles down.

If your putting carpet over top do yourself a favor and save yourself lots of work and just leave them (the tiles) alone. If any are loose then remove them if it's a large area. You could actually glue them back down if it's one or two tiles. Then use waterputty (Durham) to go over the edges of the tiles. This makes a level edge that won't show the tile outline when the carpet goes down on the floor.

With the area you removed, you will have to clean it up fairly well or you will have to float a layer of water putty to make it smooth. Same thing with the edges of the tiles from the unlifted edge. Waterputty any depressions or cracks in the tiles.

If your putting down rubber back carpet just glue it right over the tile. If it's a jute back style then the underpad will be spot glued to the floor.

VA tile is compleatly safe unless you start to grind it. And yes I know of people who have done this to remove it. Guy rented a floor sander. Only protection he had was a dust mask.....

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

Floor tiles have asbestos in them.

did you have them tested? how do you know? $35 to test

I am an encapsulator BTW

[Hugh R]

9x9 tiles usually had it the 12x12 do not, in the mastic yes for both tile sizes depending on age.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by RWebb

did you have them tested? how do you know? $35 to test

I am an encapsulator BTW

We had the tiles tested. Fortunately my wife suggested that I start pulling them up in a closet so to remedy the small exposed area is not a big deal. Putting on underlay(think spongy carpet) and carpet all over that bedroom floor won't be a big deal. I am starting to think that it is best to leave the rest of the tiles as they are.

The basement is below grade so basement seepage/flood is a possibility. Leaving the majority of the basement as is it is possible to treat leaks as there would be no carpet there. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[red-beard]

Could you put self leveling concrete over the tiles?

[john70t]

AFAIK, it was the loose pipe wrap that gave it a bad name.
That stuff would dry out, become particularized, and went airborne when disturbed.
Fiberglass, rock, or any sharp and fibrous dust are the same.

That glue dissolver will only work when in direct contact (at the edges).
I prefer a propane torch on top of the tile to soften the glue. Wait a few seconds for the heat to soak in. One fan blowing fresh air in, and another big one blowing fumes out the door.

You should watch some Holmes on Homes.
They finished a basement floor and used some neat techniques with sealants and a plastic waffle board underlayment.
Concrete soaks down heat and lets up water/radon vapor.

[mikesride]

60 understands that the asbestos is not the real issue here....its more of a "how to remove and prep surface quicker/better I think. As a child I had an asbestos "stone" in my bedroom....it was cool, you could peel strands off of it! Of course I also lived on top of a radioactive hotspot!!! True story!

[Joe Bob]

Put a thin layer of plywood over it and be done with it.

Asbestos tile is the least problematic of all Asbestos products. Barely regulated by the environmental agencies and is accepted by many landfills with minimal controls.

The glue may also have asbestos fibers in it as well. Best to leave as is.....screwing with it is the last thing you want to do as a DIY project.

And yes, I ran a County Asbestos program for 20 years.

[black73]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

.... I am starting to think that it is best to leave the rest of the tiles as they are.........

Excellent idea!

What are the permissible exposure limits
for asbestos?
Employee exposure to asbestos must not exceed
0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter (f/cc) of air, averaged
over an 8-hour work shift. Short-term exposure must
also be limited to not more than 1 f/cc, averaged over
30 minutes. Rotation of employees to achieve
compliance with either permissible exposure limit
(PEL) is prohibited

http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_AsbestosFacts/asbestos-factsheet.pdf

Originally Posted by john70t

......Fiberglass, rock, or any sharp and fibrous dust are the same....

Negative. Asbestos fibers are cylindrical, like soda straws, at microscopic levels.
Other minerals break down into round particles that aren't as dangerous.

Mesothelioma - Overview of Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer

[Nostril Cheese]

Most people dont realize just how much asbestos is actually around them at all times in older homes. If it aint dusty, its fine.

[GWN7]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Put a thin layer of plywood over it and be done with it.

Wrong...plywood on a basement floor is a bad idea. Moisture, mold and separation can occur.

Kitchen floor is ok because moisture does not usually get trapped underneath.

[Joe Bob]

Missed the basement part....doh...

[911SauCy]

Grab a sander, knock down the rough spots...breathe deep and relax.



Be careful with that stuff.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

Grab a sander, knock down the rough spots...breathe deep and relax.



Be careful with that stuff.