Stripping Asbestos Floor Tiles

Asbestos floor tiles will not release toxic fibers and pose a health risk unless they are disturbed.

Stripping asbestos floor tiles.

Although vinyl asbestos floor tiles are considered non friable the frictional forces exerted on these materials during routine floor care maintenance operations can generate asbestos containing particles. Removing asbestos containing floor tiles should be considered a last resort. Sbestos was once considered a miracle material used in everything from paint and pipe insulation to even tiling. However as a favor to future owners of your house make some note of the fact that asbestos tiles are under the new flooring.

You could also cover the tiles with new vinyl flooring linoleum or even ceramic tiles. Prior to the 1980s asbestos vinyl sheet flooring was very popular in homes. Even if the vinyl flooring is pulled up intact the old adhesive underneath may also contain asbestos. Strategies for leaving asbestos containing floor tiles or sheet flooring safely in place in a building.

Sanding sawing drilling or tearing the tiles out however can release fibers into the air. This is because removal poses the greatest risk of fiber release. However removal may be required when remodeling. Having professionals take care of your asbestos floor tiles can be expensive but the health risks involved will make it money well invested.

Stripping vinyl asbestos floor tiles. How to remove asbestos tiles. Strip the floor as few times as possible. Know which pads are for which types of floor care maintenance operations.

This article series assists building buyers owners or occupants in reducing the risk of asbestos exposure from. Choosing an appropriate material to cover up or coat the surface of a sound well adhered floor can protect against future damage or asbestos particle release in the building. If you decide to remove nonfriable vinyl asbestos flooring you have to be cautious for two reasons. If you break the flooring into pieces while removing it you have effectively turned it into a friable material.

Because improperly removing asbestos floor tiles yourself may increase the health risks to you and your family your safety depends on letting trained specialists take care of this aspect of your home renovation or remodeling project. Removal is usually the most expensive method and unless required by state or local regulations should be the last option considered in most situations. However once considerable testing proved that it was a killer the miracle became a nightmare to deal with and remove. If you are removing the original vinyl floor from a home prior to 1980 you will need to locate a licensed asbestos abatement contractor to test your floor.

That way no one will be endangered years from now when they start to rip up the new flooring and find asbestos tiles beneath. Only strip the floors when the building is not occupied during the summer and other vacation periods.