Can you put carpet over Asbestos Tile?

Question

Just moved into a new rental and the house has suspected asbestos tile. The landlord offered to put carpet over the tile, but hasn't offered to test the asbestos. Also, this tile is chipped all over the place and coming/breaking up in many spots. Can you simply put carpet over broken up asbestos tile? It seems like fibers can make their way through the carpet, especially if you use a vacuum.

thanks

Answer 1

Asbestos containing materials (ACM) in the form of floor tiles are considered by the EPA and in most jurisdictions to be a non friable asbestos. Hence, the material will not release asbestos fibers through hand pressure. For the most part tiles are not considered a problem unless you plan to grind or saw them. In your situation the asbestos risk potential is low and will be lower through carpeting.

Answer 2

Sealing it off is one of the nationally accepted ways of handling it. At that point, it is considered "encapsulated" which is all that's required by most codes and the Health Dept.

Recognize that ACM (Asbestos Containing Materials) tiles have to be disintegrating and releasing the micro-fibers before it's truly a danger. This is a condition known as "friable". If the VAT (Vinyl Asbestos Tiles) are "friable", stop, demand abatement (encapsulation and removal by a trained team).

In floor tiles, however, the issue is usually solved by covering over. That's because the tile was only half the story in those days. The adhesive used then to hold the tiles down was an ACM and it was strong. So removing the tiles is extremely difficult but scraping up every last morsel of the old adhesive is even worse. It's hard, messy and expensive. You would have to move out while the abatement is in progress.

So, what about the vacuum bringing the fibers thru, as you noted. First, a direct lay (called "glu-down") application of carpet over VAT is going to be a nasty hard floor, even with carpet. It really needs a pad, which are usually foam rubber or a textured sheet rubber. That will give you the proper air-tight barrier between the ACM fibers and you.

Additionally, the tile floor area will have to be "prepped" with a troweled on leveling / prep compound before the pad is glued down with adhesive. Those two "goo" layers are great at filling missing pieces, sealing any broken tile edges and "grounding" (into the goo) any loose fibers. Then the rubber pad (your air barrier), then the carpet. Even with cheap carpet (wide weave in the carpet backing) of the worst kind of landlord, your vacuum will never bring ACM fibers thru to your living air space.

In short, make sure you get (demand) the following:
1. removal of the broken, chipped and loose tiles.
2. proper legal and code compliant infill materials
3. that all VAT and infill materials are sealed with a minimum of three coats of a resinated floor sealer
4. when the sealer has dried thoroughly, the floor area must be "prepped" with a troweled on floor prep compound.
5. that a carpet pad is installed and that the carpet pad is a high grade sheet rubber pad.

If he balks at this, you have a choice of staying (and forcing the issue) or moving out. The only way to force it is to have the tests done and you'll be pushing the edge of legal actions (rental law, health codes, etc). Not a good long term relationship with your landlord but...

So, take a broken chip piece (preferably with some adhesive on the back) and go visit your local Public Health Dept/Agency. They should test it for you. If it tests positive, they'll advise you and the property owner what needs to happen next.

PS: I'm a licensed Architect in California
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Answer 3

If it is breaking up in many spots, then you may be right that the tile needs to be replaced which means that your landlord will have to go through a special asbestos removal process. The rule for asbestos normally is if you can keep it there without disturbing it then you are ok. However, if it is in bad shape and breaking up, you won't be able to hardly keep from disturbing it unless it is removed.

Removing asbestos is not cheap. If you are not yet renting from the landlord, then I would probably only sign a contract under the condition that the asbestos is professionally removed first. If your under a current contract, then it is the landlord's duty to make the repair just as it would be to patch a leaky roof or to replace a bad water heater. If he refuses to do so or refuses to repair the rental so that it is safe then I would think that you should have a legal right to break the lease. However, if you do so, check to make sure that the lease can actually be legally broke due to something like that (ie - consult a lawyer).

There is one option that your landlord may be able to do. He may be able to lay down a sheet of adhesive plastic sheeting before installing the carpet that will help keep asbestos particulates from getting into the air. There is some plastic sheeting like that which is used for painting, but I don't recommend using it for painting. It's a bear to pull up.

Answer 4

Typically most asbestos floor tile are 9" x 9" if your tile is 12 x12 there is a good chance that it is not, but that isn't always the case. Your landlord is responsible to inform you of any possible lead or asbestos hazzards that may exist.
I recommend he take a "bulk sample of the tile and a seperate one from the floor mastic ( glue ) and find a certified lab. that can determine the % of asbestos ( if any is found)
If the tile comes back as asbestos and he does not want to have it completly removed. I recommend to wet the floor lightly with a wetting agent ( water and dish soap ) and pick up the loose tile
being carfull not to break any, but if some do break while they are being picked up just be sure they are wet. Floor tile is not friable (crushed under hand pressure) and there should not be any danger of exposure as long as it isn't cut or grinded. You can encapsulate the remaining tile and mastic with a good grade of paint, then if a pad is used under the carpet there should be no problems. Make sure you check with the county as how to dispose of this properly
The other answers are correct, to have an abatement contractor in to do this may cost $2500.00 or more depending on the sq. footage. The contractor would be responsible for air monitoring disposal and clean-up along with his insurance and personal protection equipment of his employees

Answer 5

The key is the disturbing of the asbestos. As long as it remains undisturbed (i.e. not airborn) you should be OK. Tearing up asbestos is a job that has to be professionally done and is very expensive so I doubt the landlord will do that. Maybe you guys can reach some kind of compromise where some kind of sealant or plastic is put over the floor and then the rug on top of that. I've never tried it, but it can't hurt and it should keep it from being sucked up by the vacuum like you were concerned. I guess the only other question is why not just try renting somewhere else???

Good Luck.

Answer 6

I understand that the EPA has downgraded asbestose floor tile, removing it from the hazardous list. I may be wrong, but as you have read in the responses, there is no justificatin to remove the tiles, no matter what shape they are in. If for instance some tiles are missing you can fill the spaces with thinset. The tiles will provide a good moisture barrier and help retard Radon fumes. But for your own satisfaction, there is a test kit that will tell you if the tiles really contain asbestos. Good Luck

Answer 7

HAVE IT REMOVED