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asbestos tile?

brucet9 | Posted in General Discussion on February 25, 2009 10:59am

We’re getting new carpet in our 1965 tract house. I just installed new 4″ baseboard with a nice profile; left a 1/2″ gap between concrete floor and bottom edge of baseboard so carpet guys can tuck under.

In pulling back the carpet I discovered 1/8″ thick asphalt tile that has shattered in many places where tack strips were installed for the old carpet. I figure, since the stuff pops up so easily, it would be easier to remove the tile than to float the areas where it has already broken. The bonus would be that the carpet would be closer to the level of the base, so it would “fit ” better.

DW is afraid that the old tile has asbestos in it and removal will fill the air with asbestos particles that will kill us both in a week or so.

Is it likely that my old asphalt tile contains asbestos?

If it does, would it be friable? The stuff seems to break cleanly and, anyway, most pieces are likely pop up whole when I hit them with my long-handled tile scraper.

I could bring my Mini Gorilla in and mount a 12″x14″ bench hood on the hose to collect most of the dust into its cyclone collector and 0.2 micron filter.

Thanks,

BruceT
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Replies

  1. DaveRicheson | Feb 25, 2009 02:10pm | #1

    Only way to know for sure is have it tested.

    Just mist with water the tile as you remove it to keep down the dust. Double bag the tile and set it out for collection. Old 8x8 tiles likely contain asbestos. Hard to say on 12x12 tiles, unless you know when they were installed.

  2. Jebadia | Feb 25, 2009 05:17pm | #2

    Brucet9,

    The info you got so far is correct. They were typically a 9x9 tile but some 12x12 had asbestos as well. Having it tested is the only way to know for sure. Testing it will tell you how much asbestos is in the tile. Tile in Minnesota is or at least was considered a non friable material. If it did not break when removed it stayed a non friable material. If you can scrape it up without it breaking into tiny pieces keeping it wet of course I wouldn't be too concerned about contamination. If it kind of shatters when removing it is becoming friable.

  3. garyGGHI | Feb 25, 2009 05:46pm | #3

    brucet9,

    Good chance they contain asbestos. Testing is the only way to be sure.

    I have a tile removal licence here in Illinois. Basicly the goal is to remove the tile in 1 piece. I usually use a 4" taping knife or similar. If you have tiles that are giving you trouble try using a heat gun to soften them up. This is sometimes needed in the trafic areas where they stick tighter. As others have said, keep the tiles damp with a spray bottle to keep down the dust. Wear gloves, keeps that edge of the tile from sticking under your thumbnail when it comes loose

    Offical word is to vac with a HEPA vac, wet tile , remove tile and vac again. Double bag tiles. You can discard with regular trash, some locations want you to notify hauler that the tiles are there as part of "right to know". Basicly the asbestos is bound in the tile. If you are not breaking the tile you are not exposed to any fibers.

    Just remember the mastic for a lot of these tiles also contain asbestos. That can be done with several liquid removers. Drop a line if you need more info.

     

    Gary

  4. CJohn | Feb 25, 2009 06:22pm | #4

    Vinyl asbestos tile (VAT) was made up to 1974. Vinyl composition tile (VCT) took its place and is still made today. Vat was much easier to work with, more pliable.

  5. choadsy | Feb 25, 2009 08:35pm | #5

    Also test the adhesive if you can. I just removed 1200 sf of non asbestos ceiling tile with an asbestos adhesive. Luckily the adhesive contained less than 0.5% asbestos which is considered non hazardous to your health as long as the quantities are low.

    The testing cost me $45 a sample and of course OSHA wants you to do at least three samples.

    At 1% or less you can legally dispose of this in your household garbage or at any normal dump site.

    Route a squirrel
    1. sledgehammer | Feb 26, 2009 01:30am | #6

      I have an old partial box in a basement. It has word "asbestos" printed all over it...

      Ahhhh....... When great marketing ideas go bad.

      1. frammer52 | Feb 26, 2009 03:11am | #7

        I might get rid of that box.

        1. sledgehammer | Feb 26, 2009 04:21am | #8

          Heck no , what if I need to replace a tile?

           

           

          1. frammer52 | Feb 26, 2009 04:27am | #9

            Me tinks there are substitutes!>G<

  6. splintergroupie | Feb 26, 2009 05:00am | #10

    Do NOT blow this stuff around!

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