[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.....