Removing Asbestos Vinyl Flooring - Comments
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We bought our house in September 1980. Shortly thereafter, we had Armstrong Solarian vinyl installed in the kitchen and dining room. Many years later, I had it tested and they confirmed asbestos content. If it was banned after 1972, why was it being sold and installed in 1980? I'd like to remove it completely instead of covering it because it will change the floor level from one room to another and pose a tripping hazard. Is there instrumentation that can monitor asbestos particulate in the air? I thought I heard about such equipment.
Anne at January 29, 2008 07:33 PM
Posted by: Anne at January 29, 2008 07:33 PMIt's a mystery to me too how a company, especially one like Armstrong, can get away with using banned materials. But this isn't the first time I've heard of such a thing -- be it lead-based paint or asbestos containing flooring or siding. I guess it has something to do with in-stock supplies, but I'm only guessing about that.
Generally, according to my understanding, asbestos-laced materials aren't a problem with air particulates until they material is disturbed. Ways of disturbing it are cutting or ripping it, or removing it. Some people do their own asbestos removal, but it's recommended that trained, approved and licensed contractors deal with it so the air quality and disposal are appropriate when they are done.
If the floor is in good shape, why not just leave it for now?
The Flooring Lady at January 30, 2008 01:39 AM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at January 30, 2008 01:39 AMArmstrong solarian floors were installed in both bathrooms and the kitchen of my mother's home in 1982. A family friend was helping ready the house to sell after Mom's passing and he used an electric planer on the floor to remove most of it. It created superfine dust throughout the house. I took a sample in for testing after I read the instructions on the adhesive for the new floor. The results stated that the backing layer was 70% asbestos. What do we do now? I don't think we can even sell it.
Chris at March 27, 2008 04:16 AM
Posted by: Chris at March 27, 2008 04:16 AMBummer about your friend's approach. Personally I would have tried to floor over it so I wouldn't have the removal hazards. But, what's done is done. Now to move on and clean your air.
You can't sell it until you clean up the air. You shouldn't even be in there now without respirators designed to protect your from asbestos fibers. I think you are going to have to call in professionals to handle the air filtering and clean up -- everything is coated with fibers now, if I understand this correctly.
Please be careful so you don't get sick from this.
The Flooring Lady at March 27, 2008 10:55 AM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at March 27, 2008 10:55 AMI bought and older home with a smaller kitchen (10x15). After removing the old cabinets we discovered there were actually 2 layers of older flooring. After having them tested for asbestos, the bottom layer tested negative however the top layer tested positive containing 25% asbestos. It will cost me 1500.00 to 1800.00 to have it professionally removed and I am debating on whether or not to remove it myself. My question is if I follow the guidelines of removal and since the amount of asbestos in the top layer is only 25% do you think this is a wise and safe decision? Like the earlier poster adding another layer to this floor over top of the existing flooring will make it too high. Thanks for your help!
Joe at May 2, 2008 01:18 PM
Posted by: Joe at May 2, 2008 01:18 PMHi Joe! Much as I advocate do-it-yourself-ers, this is one time where I'd recommend having a professional do it. There's so much to consider when removing old abestos flooring. Is it friable (i.e., crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure)? Is any of it cracked, flaking or otherwise damaged? If so, you risk contaminating your entire house if you try to take these up yourself and creating the ultimate environmental nightmare in your home. The mastic (black glue adhesive) also contained asbestos in the old days and that has to be removed as well.
You also MUST wear a respirator & safety glasses - no ifs, ands, or buts.
In most states, asbestos can be removed only by licensed asbestos abatement contractors who are equipped and educated in safely removing and disposing of hazardous materials. They'll usually use plastic sheets to stop the particles from freely moving. VAT's (vinyl asbestos tile) are usually wetted down too, so as to keep asbestos particles from becoming airborne while being removed.
Once removed, the tiles are put in containers, sealed, are taken by the authorized agent to a landfill site that is approved by the EPA and is buried.
It's NOT recommended to attempt removal yourself and in most states there are penalties if it gets found out that you did so. It has to be disposed of safely and you can't just set it out in your trash for the garbage man to pick up.
Personally, I think that $1500 - $1800 is a small price to pay to keep from damaging your lungs or getting cancer, as well as taking into consideration the others who come into your house.
The Flooring Lady at May 3, 2008 12:02 AM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at May 3, 2008 12:02 AMHi-
I am trying to find a good sealing product to apply to the asbestos vinyl sheeting underneath the current carpets in my home, which we will be taking up and replacing with laminate flooring There are a few places at the edges by the vents where the vinyl is exposed and we'd like to seal it off. Suprisingly, it is nearly impossible to find anyone who knows anything on this subject.
Thanks!
Tom at May 7, 2008 06:16 AM
Posted by: Tom at May 7, 2008 06:16 AMTom, asbestos is such a can of worms that I'm not surprised that people don't know anything about it. If one doesn't know about asbestos one can't get into trouble with the help they offer.
What I know about asbestos is that you don't want to disturb it. It sounds as if you are taking measures to not disturb it, and in fact to protect it from further damage. That's a good start, in my book.
Why don't you get a glue that will adhere to vinyl and apply it to the edges of the vinyl? You may want to wrap the glue up onto the top edge slightly to make sure you have a good seal. And with the vent covers in place you wouldn't see that glue edge, even if the laminate flooring didn't cover it completely.
The Flooring Lady at May 8, 2008 02:09 PM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at May 8, 2008 02:09 PMwhere do i get a do-it-yourself home sampling kit?
cj at May 15, 2008 06:46 PM
Posted by: cj at May 15, 2008 06:46 PM
Hi cj, Some hardware stores and big box retailers now carry them and they are also available online. You can always use a search engine (Google, etc.) to find which stores sell them.
The Flooring Lady at May 16, 2008 10:49 PM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at May 16, 2008 10:49 PM(Read the article that everyone's commenting on.)
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