This article summarizes the probable risk of asbestos exposure from asbestos containing floor tiles or sheet flooring as depending on the condition covering and location of the floor.
Exposure to broken asbestos floor tiles.
If an asbestos ceiling tile is drilled or broken for example it may release fibers into the air.
It wouldn t hurt to wash down the areas where you ve removed tiles to damp down any remaining dust.
Asbestos flooring hazard levels how to determine the hazard level decide when asbestos containing floor tiles should be removed what are the asbestos exposure hazard levels associated with flooring left in.
Examine the condition of the tiles.
2 you are probably legally required and certainly ethically required to disclose the fact that there is asbestos tile under the new floor when you sell.
Asbestos floor tile is not.
Encapsulating asbestos is often cheaper and safer than trying to remove it.
However as a favor to future owners of your house make some note of the fact that asbestos tiles are under the new flooring.
Vinyl is a type of plastic that has long been a popular material for floor tiles and sheets.
However once considerable testing proved that it was a killer the miracle became a nightmare to deal with and remove.
Unlike many asbestos containing materials vinyl asbestos flooring is generally safe to be around.
I d personally remove the entire asbestos tile layer too.
That way no one will be endangered years from now when they start to rip up the new flooring and find asbestos tiles beneath.
Intact asbestos tiles are not a major risk and can in fact be left in place and covered with other materials such as carpet vinyl linoleum or concrete.
1 an asbestos abatement contractor is more likely offer removal than encapsulation.
The only downsides of that are.
You could also cover the tiles with new vinyl flooring linoleum or even ceramic tiles.
Asbestos containing ceiling tiles floor tiles undamaged laboratory cabinet tops shingles fire doors siding shingles etc.
Asbestos floor tiles were manufactured in three sizes.
Sbestos was once considered a miracle material used in everything from paint and pipe insulation to even tiling.
That said it can be difficult to get a level surface for the new floor especially if the old tiles have chipped away.
Tiles that are disintegrating should be handled with.
9 x9 12 x12 and 18 x18.
Any new floor you lay is only going to be as good as the old one underneath.
Asbestos flooring damage hazard assessment hazard level if asbestos containing floor tiles are damaged.
In many cases installing a new floor over the tiles encapsulates the asbestos fibers and is an acceptable way to manage the material.
But that changes as soon as you decide to remove it.
Significant damage to an asbestos containing floor covering.
It s long term or large exposure that s dangerous somewhat like radiation.
Asbestos exposure risk from minor vs.
Will not release asbestos fibers unless they are disturbed or damaged in some way.