Anyone Remediate Asbestos in Flooring Glue?
lulusong
11 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (21)
sloyder
11 years agolulusong
11 years agoRelated Discussions
Unwittingly removed asbestos floor tiles. What's the deal?
Comments (364)You can cut off a chunk and send it off to a lab to test for asbestos content-- obviously, don't do that in an obvious place if you're not immediately planning on replacing it or covering it. If you can lift a baseboard and get material from the edge, then cover the missing section back over with the baseboard, that's often a good location. For the mastic, you can get it wet and scrape up some and send it off for testing. The lab will almost always have specific instructions on safe ways to collect material for testing and how much you need. Similar appearing materials are all over the place on actual asbestos content. Vinyl asbestos tiles tend to be square and have kind of a marbled look. They are often, but not always, 9x9. The vinyl asbestos tiles are generally quite low risk compared to the asbestos-backed sheet vinyl, because the asbestos fibers are bound in a matrix with the vinyl. Unless you pulverize them in removal, you're not going to get airborne fibers taking them out. If you contrast whatever your local recommendations are for VAT removal with sheet vinyl removal, they're usually pretty different-- the main thing people are concerned about with VAT is how you dispose of it. For sheet vinyl, though, they're really worried about how you take it up. Mastics can be pretty difficult to get up. For example, the black mastic was really easy to get up with Bean-E-Doo (whatever they call it now)-- anything else, though, forget it. The remnants of the Bean-E-Doo itself were challenging (lots of soap, water, scrubbing, etc.) However, though the same chemical said it works on old carpet adhesives, it didn't work at all for me. If you have things tested and the tile's asbestos and the mastic's not, the tiles are pretty easy to remove nondestructively with steam (e.g., a steam iron or a wallpaper steamer, or you can rent a big machine that heats the tiles for you). Then you can rent a big commercial scraper to get the mastic up, which is the most efficient. If the mastic does contain asbestos, either it shifts easily with heat or it doesn't, it's water soluble or oil soluble, etc. Use whatever people think is the best method for the specific type of mastic you have. Or paint over the mastic with one of the sealing compounds if the standard removal methods don't work. Since your tiles are loose, though, I'd take them out before putting any new flooring down....See MoreFloating vinyl floor vs. glue-down?
Comments (1)Not many floating vinyl floors I know of. Not really up my alley but the link below is a cool YouTube video on Konetco. Here is a link that might be useful: Konetco Video...See MoreHow to remove 1930's linoleum GLUE from 1900's wood floors
Comments (56)I found this on https://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/113602 Removing Linoleum Adhesive From FloorsProcedure code:965001SSource:Ohj - Shirley Maxwell & James C. Massey, 9/30/92Division:FinishesSection:Resilient FlooringLast Modified:08/02/2016 REMOVING LINOLEUM ADHESIVE FROM FLOORS PART 1---GENERAL 1.01 SUMMARY This procedure includes guidance on removing the mastic adhesive left behind when linoleum flooring has been removed. Linoleum flooring was very popular from 1863 to 1974. It was used historically as an original floor treatment in some GSA buildings. Linoleum's chief ingredient was linseed oil, pressed from flax seed, which became a tough, elastic material when exposed to air. The process essentially consisted of mixing linseed oil and gum with ground cork or wood flour, and pressing it onto burlap or canvas. It was then glued down to concrete or wood floors using a mastic cement. See "General Project Guidelines" for general project guidelines to be used along with this procedureThese guidelines cover the following sections: Historic Structures Precautions Submittals Quality Assurance Delivery, Storage and Handling Project/Site Conditions Sequencing and Scheduling General Protection (Surface and Surrounding) These guidelines should be reviewed prior to performing this procedure and should be followed along with recommendations from the Regional Historic Preservation Officer (RHPO). PART 2---PRODUCTS 2.01 MATERIALS Clean, potable water Vinegar Citrus degreasing solvent such as "Limo Sol", or approved equal. Dry ice Chemical solvent such as isopropyl alcohol, paint thinner, xylol, lacquer thinner, or paint stripper. 2.02 EQUIPMENT Heat lamp or hot-air gun Putty knife or scraper PART 3---EXECUTION 3.01 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION NOTE: A waterproof glue is usually applied at the edges and seams of the linoleum; the center of the felt layers is usually attached with a water soluble paste. Soak the mastic area in hot water for 20-60 minutes or until soft.\ If this is not effective, try adding vinegar or high-strength citrus degreasing solvent to the water and then soak for 20-60 minutes until soft. If mastic still will not soften, try applying heat to the surface using a lamp or hot-air gun. -OR- Try freezing the mastic with dry ice to break the bond with the substrate. If no other methods are effective in softening the mastic, test a chemical solvent on the area. NOTE: Be sure to test in an inconspicuous area to determine appropriate chemicals and strengths before proceeding with cleaning. Scrape away the softened mastic using a putty knife or garden edger. END OF SECTION interesting...................See Moreasbestos flooring
Comments (5)Your state will have requirements. There are a few states (not all) that have a MAXIMUM amount that can be removed WITHOUT professional remediation (homeowner can DIY). Other states have a "zero" tolerance for asbestos. It MUST be removed by professionals no matter how big/small the project. I believe the MAXIMUM allowed is LESS than your square footage. As I mentioned, it is around 130sf is the MAXIMUM allowable (depending on the state). Your square footage is above that. That means you have a 99.99% chance you MUST do the professional remediation. There is a place you can go to ask this question: www.thefloorpro.com There are several experts who are WELL VERSED in Asbestos remediation rules for multiple states. I have read their posts multiple times and "130sf" sticks in my mind. And just to be clear....sheet vinyl or sheet linoleum can go over top of these types of tiles. If you want a floating floor/tile/glue down floor then you must deal with the asbestos tiles before doing anything. That's why I was asking what type of flooring you have planned for the space. I would ask what type of protection the "handy man" will give your house (sheet plastic over all walls, vents/doors/windows), positive air pressure, clean up/disposal (the disposal of the asbestos tiles can be in the $100 range all by itself). And then ask yourself what your responsibility will be should the handy man ever come down with mesothelioma (the cancer caused by Asbestos exposure) and if you can be sued later on to cover medical related costs. But first things first: find out your state's requirements/laws about asbestos removal and homeowner DIY allotment....See Morehomebound
11 years agosnoonyb
11 years agolulusong
11 years agoian8200
11 years agolulusong
11 years agoaidan_m
11 years agosloyder
11 years agobrickeyee
11 years agolulusong
11 years agogagefamily3
8 years agoVith
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agosloyder
8 years agoVith
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agokbondrhit
8 years agoBruce in Northern Virginia
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoVith
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoBruce in Northern Virginia
8 years agoEdward Gallagher
last year
Related Stories
REMODELING GUIDESThe Case for Linoleum and Vinyl Floors
Have pets, kids and a tight budget? Easy-care resilient floors may be the choice for you
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESLaminate Floors: Get the Look of Wood (and More) for Less
See what goes into laminate flooring and why you just might want to choose it
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNEcofriendly Kitchen: How to Choose Flooring
Conserve natural resources and your long-term finances by choosing kitchen flooring materials with durability and beauty
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESWhen to Use Engineered Wood Floors
See why an engineered wood floor could be your best choice (and no one will know but you)
Full StoryFLOORS8 Inventive Kitchen Floor Treatments
Let these fresh flooring concepts simmer in the back of your head as you plan your kitchen remodel
Full StoryFLOORS10 Ways to Make the Most of Your Home’s Original Floors
Save yourself the cost of replacing your old floorboards with these tips for a new finish
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPINGOut, Darn Spot! Tips for Removing Carpet Stains
Know the right solutions and when to use them to prevent stains from pets, soda, chocolate, blood and more
Full StoryPETSA Romp Through Pet-Friendly Materials
Deceptively durable, these stylish flooring materials and fabrics let you give Fluffy the run of the house
Full StoryMIDCENTURY HOMESHouzz Tour: An Eichler's Interior Gets a Major Overhaul
Extensive interior work gives a 1973 home in California better flow and a brighter outlook
Full StoryGREAT HOME PROJECTSHow to Bring Out Your Home’s Character With Trim
New project for a new year: Add moldings and baseboards to enhance architectural style and create visual interest
Full Story
aidan_m