How To Replace Asbestos Floor Tiles

Both these options will keep the asbestos trapped in the floor.

How to replace asbestos floor tiles.

Install ceramic tile over asbestos. You could also seal it with a coat of epoxy floor paint. Next move about 12 inches to the right or left and cut a strip parallel to the first. That means it is safe to walk on but not safe to scrape sand or use power tools on.

Examine the condition of the tiles. Tiles that are disintegrating should be. Resilient sheet flooring containing asbestos was also produced finding wide use as early as 1968. Clean up any remaining bits of adhesive by scraping them off the subfloor while keeping the floor.

Cutting in narrow strips makes the task more manageable. Dispose of asbestos floor tiles in approved asbestos disposal bags and seal each one as directed. In order to remove them safely you must break every tile into dozens of pieces. Use a portland cement based adhesive to adhere the new tiles to the old.

Asbestos floor tiles were manufactured in three sizes. 9 x9 12 x12 and 18 x18. Remove asbestos containing material carefully. Armstrong produced the excelon tile series beginning with a plastic asbestos floor tile series in 1954 referring to the product as vinyl plastic asbestos floor tiles beginning in 1955 and vinyl asbestos tiles from 1957 to 1980.

Prepare the asbestos tile flooring by wet mopping it to ensure all dirt and debris is removed. 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. Allow the floor to dry slightly until just moist to the touch. You can tile directly over asbestos with new tile including ceramic tile.

That way no one will be endangered years from now when they start to rip up the new flooring and find asbestos tiles beneath. Use the utility knife to cut straight down the middle of your vinyl floor. But when vinyl asbestos flooring is in good condition it is considered nonfriable. Typically vinyl flooring is perimeter installed meaning there s no glue or adhesive in the middle of the floor.

It is impossible to remove asbestos tiles intact. Take care to choose a tile whose thickness is not going to create a problem and choose a tile that is rated for floor use. In many cases the best thing to do about vinyl asbestos flooring is put a new layer of flooring on top of it. If there are any oily areas use a degreasing cleanser on the floor then rinse with water.