How To Remove Asbestos Flooring Adhesive

Wipe all surfaces with a damp disposable towel.

How to remove asbestos flooring adhesive.

Spray the area that you re going to cut with the water and soap. Typically vinyl flooring is perimeter installed meaning there s no glue or adhesive in the middle of the floor. Rinse the cloth or towel and change the water at least twice. Cleaning up is the most important and difficult part in removing asbestos adhesive from the floor.

Next move about 12 inches to the right or left and cut a strip parallel to the first. Use the utility knife to cut straight down the middle of your vinyl floor. Cutting in narrow strips makes the task more manageable. Clean up any remaining bits.

Select a section of your tile to cut out for your sample. Keeping asbestos materials wet helps prevent dust from getting into the air. Use a steel floor scraper to pry up the asbestos tiles one at a time. When you cut the tile you will knock up asbestos particles into the air.

Dispose of asbestos floor tiles in approved asbestos disposal bags and seal each one as directed. Take your spray bottle and mist the area by spraying it 3 4 times. When you remove that floor covering to make way for new flooring you may encounter the mastic and wonder whether it is safe to remove the main concern surrounding this question is that black mastic often contains asbestos. Workers should spray the flooring and any old adhesive underneath to keep it damp at all times.

Common in homes built in the 20th century black mastic was used as an adhesive for ceramic tile linoleum and other flooring materials. A solvent may be useful for dissolving old adhesive.