skip to main content

Home Disasters Kitchens DIY

kitchen floor help (asbestos)

last year

Hello. We have wood floors in our kitchen that prior owners put over linoleum. We also have wood floors in the whole house that are not over another floor. This makes the kitchen floor slightly higher at the entrances to the kitchen (there are three) and that bugs me. We are updating the kitchen and planned to remove both the wood and floor underneath in the kitchen and then re lay new wood floors. Unfortunately we found out yesterday that the linoleum is likely asbestos (ugh). We could just sand and stain/reseal the current wood floors in the kitchen but there are several areas of damaged floor. We are going to reach out to an abatement company tomorrow. No clue the cost yet so I’m wondering what our other options are for flooring? If I’m not mistaken we can still cover the linoleum? Certainly we will make sure first but supposing we can, what options are there to keep flush with the entrances (one from the dining room, front entrance hall, and living room). I’ve included pictures of one entrance that all three look like in terms of transition. My husband also wonders why the kitchen floor is so high when the linoleum is so thin. So even if we do have it removed we don’t know yet if wood floors would sit flush. Some details that might be helpful: it is a colonial from the 60’s with no issues in terms of settling (the floors don’t appear to be uneven like they’d be in a historic home), we are doing this ourselves (aside from asbestos), home is located in a middle-upper middle class neighborhood (not sure if this would make a difference in terms of who would be potential future buyers should we sell - that’s just why I’ve included it here), we have a child, cat, and plan to get a dog in the future (a big one).

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

sheloveslayouts
last year
last modified: last year
I'd have a sample of the linoleum tested and confirmed asbestos before calling out an abatement company. Fortunately, there's a lab in my town that had a quick turn around. There was a very low asbestos content in our previous basement's linoleum tiles, so we didn't disturb them and put flooring on top. Unless I'm missing something, I see no point in removing your linoleum layer if it comes back positive. Just keep it covered.
Chris H
Original Author
last year
What other options are there aside from tile and wood floor that would look good and be flush to the other floors in the house? My first thought was linoleum but I also don’t know what else is available. My husband has some ideas but he is more of a thinker than a talker (haha) so he wants to first see if it’s asbestos before we talk about flooring. I’m the opposite; let’s talk about all the things! Ha!
Related Discussions
Please HELP! I think my contractor sanded asbestos floor tiles.
Q
Comments (2)
Vanessa, my husband is an environmental engineering consultant. He says you probably have nothing to worry about. It's unlikely that there is asbestos in the flooring. But one way you can tell: asbestos is fibrous - it would be in strands or fibers, not round particles. If there is any doubt, you can call an asbestos removal specialist and ask him whether it's asbestos or not. Good luck!
...See More
Asbestos Floor Tiles - Help!
Q
Comments (1)
unless you sanded the tile its encapsulated in the material. You have no worries. There have been many threads on this subject if you search. If you didn't alter the tile you have no asbestos concerns.
...See More
Remodeling condo kitchen-asbestos concern
Q
Comments (23)
California homes in 1974 weren't being generally built with ceramic tile floors. It was mostly vinyl tiles or sheet vinyl. The previous owner(s) probably had the tile put in at a later date. By 1978 little to no asbestos was being used in much of anything. Grout or tile having asbestos? No the contractor is being shifty. I think the "contractor " is taking advantage of your inexperience with remodeling and trying to pocket a extra cash on the side. I would let Lowes know about it. They don't need the eventual bad rep guys like this will bring on them. Asbestos fears are overstated anyway. The fear mongering is insane. Removal companies capitalize on that fear. Ship builders and people who have worked around it all their lives get ill. Not a homeowner changing out a floor. Taking up even an old asbestos vinyl floor isn't going to create much dust and you have to breath in the dust for it to to be harmful. If it's a concern wetting the area down will take care of the little bit found in the average home built back in the asbestos days.
...See More
asbestos flooring help
Q
Comments (4)
You might want to spend a couple bucks and have the tile tested at a lab. Then you'll know, regardless of whether you actually take it out or not. Vinyl asbestos tile is not a hazard as long as it's not sanded/cut/ground/pulverized. If it is asbestos and you leave it in place just keep that test record with your permanent house files.
...See More
sheloveslayouts
last year
I'd say wood, tile, or maybe sheet marmoleum. If you search the forums there is quite an ongoing debate about kitchen flooring with all the pros and cons.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
You have a subfloor plus finished flooring in your public rooms, originally the kitchen had some flooring on top of the subfloor to bring it level with the adjacent floors before the finished flooring was installed (likely either cheaper tongue and groove pine or plywood) To get you new oak level with the old oak the linoleum AND the backer under it comes out down to the original subfloor. Then tarpaper and oak goes back…
sheloveslayouts
last year
@Chris H Is the thicker floor in the kitchen? If the goal is a level floor transition, this might be the constraint that limits you to a sheet product like marmoleum.
Chris H
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
@sheloveslayouts yes, the kitchen is higher. We are going to test it for asbestos though! Hopefully its not. I am ok with something else that is thin. Maybe something with a slate look. Not sure but I imagine we should go completly different than wood if not using wood.
charles kidder
last year
I would get rid of the asbestos no matter what. Assuming it's there. Now you would know it's there, so in many places, you have to disclose it when selling or renting. And I would sleep easier knowing it was properly removed.
sheloveslayouts
last year
last modified: last year
Asbestos flooring tile doesnt release carcinogenic fibers unless its disturbed. The flooring in our 1968 basement had less that 3% asbestos. We were advised to leave it alone rather than disturb - even if disturbed by pros. YMMV.
Lisa
last year
We have an 1890's house with multiple layers of flooring in the kitchen. one intermediate layer is 20% asbestos, LVP is the top layer. we are stripping it down to subfloor using a remediation company (about $1800) and then installing hardwood. once I knew it was there I would just rather have it out

Related Stories

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: Graphic Floor Tiles Accent a White Kitchen

By Jeannie Matteucci

Walls come down to open up the room and create better traffic flow

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Flooring 101: Find Your Material Match

By Lisa Frederick

From cork to concrete, our guide will help you pick the perfect surface for your kitchen floor

HOUZZ PRODUCT NEWS Houzz Adds New Kitchen Features to Its Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner

By Annie Thornton

The new features help clients visualize their finished kitchen with 3D models that show cabinetry, appliances and more

0

MOST POPULAR Pros and Cons of 5 Popular Kitchen Flooring Materials

Which kitchen flooring is right for you? An expert gives us the rundown

BEFORE AND AFTERS Kitchen of the Week: Bungalow Kitchen’s Historic Charm Preserved

By Becky Harris

A new design adds function and modern conveniences and fits right in with the home’s period style

REMODELING GUIDES Tile Floors Help a Hot Home Chill Out

By Laura Gaskill

Replace your hot-weather woes with a cool feel for toes when you treat your floors to deliciously refreshing tile

KITCHEN DESIGN The Kitchen Storage Space That Hides at Floor Level

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Cabinet toe kicks can cleverly house a bank of wide drawers — or be dressed up to add a flourish to your kitchen design

REMODELING GUIDES What Lies Beneath That Old Linoleum Kitchen Floor?

By Annie Thornton

Antique wood subfloors are finding new life as finished floors. Learn more about exposing, restoring and enjoying them

MOST POPULAR 6 Kitchen Flooring Materials to Boost Your Cooking Comfort

By Jennifer Ott Design

Give your joints a break while you're standing at the stove, with these resilient and beautiful materials for kitchen floors

KITCHEN DESIGN Key Measurements to Help You Design Your Kitchen

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Get the ideal kitchen setup by understanding spatial relationships, building dimensions and work zones

Sponsored

More Discussions

mitigation charges

17

please help! kitchen pull out/cabinet!?

2

cleaning cement splatters from painted metal window frame

2

Island Countertop Seam but slabs are different thickness!

22

Real quartz or faux?

7