Asbestos under my tile?

Question

My house was built in 1951 and I would like to remodel the bathroom and was concerned about the matierials I'd be working with. I know I have asbestos in my basement tiles which is why I'm asking. The bathroom tiles are original and ceramic but what holds them is kind of like a concrete mixture over a metal grate for support. When it's broken up its really fine and gets everywhere. Is it possible asbestos was used in any of the materials I'd be working with?

Answer 1

The tile might contain asbestos but it is highly unlikely the setting material contains asbestos.

Answer 2

Asbestos Under Tile

Answer 3

First, have the tile tested because they are not likely to be asbestos. Make sure you test the mastic also. If the previous owner never conducted testing, there is no liability, since they would not have known. As to the home inspector, unless they were licensed for asbestos, they would not have commented at all. In most states, that is illegal for a home inspector to give asbestos advice. They best they can do is tell you to hire a licensed inspector. The same would be true for lead paint and radon testing in a home sale.

Answer 4

Lots of interesting answers but none get to the heart of the matter really.
There are 2 kinds of asbestos. friable and non-friable.And what this means is if the asbestos can become airborne(friable)during construction or demo or if it is locked up the particular material (non-friable)that is was used in.All tiles are the non-friable kind and no there is none in the cement used to hold them down.If the are ceramic as you say Then there is none in them either.

Answer 5

you have gotten a lot of carefree advice from some, i'd rather err on the side of caution, especially if you have kids in the house. wet down the floor, it will be a soupy mess, but it can't go airborne if it's wet. just to be a bit on the safe side. you will just have to mop up when you finish. my 2nd grade school teacher brought a couple of bags of asbestos into class and made up mud with it in the classroom sink. she had seen her furnace repairman mold and form it while fixing her furnace and thought it would be great fun for her class, that was back in 1963. and with my hobby of playing with cars, and work doing construction, i've been exposed to a lot more than your bathroom remodel will expose you to. don't forget about the lead paint if you do any work on the walls in your house either. well, good luck, work smart and keep the dust down.

Answer 6

Working with asbestos for a couple of weeks won't do anything to you. You can spend a month teaing down insulation from your old pipes and not have to worry about it. That would be like saying that everyone who entered a coal mine is going to get black lung. Asbestos requires long-term exposure to airborne particles to be malignant. A homeowner doing remodeling will not disturb enough particles to have any effect on him. Asbestos is a non-issue for homeowners. Professionals who spend many years in environments where asbestos is disturbed will suffer respiratory disease, but that takes a lifetime of exposure to occur.

Answer 7

Your bath has ceramic tile set in mortar, supported by metal lathe. It is highly unlikely this contains any asbestos. Do wear a N95 mask when working around this dust.

Answer 8

if the tiles are 9" by 9" there is a vry good chance asbestos was used otherwise i wouldnt have a clue

Answer 9

Some of the mud backer mixes did use vermiculite, used to lighten up the mix. In that era.

Vermiculite is associated with asbestos.

I don't know what the big HU HA is about asbestos we are taught to were masks and protective clothing.

I just take it out myself, bag it, take it to the dump. I'm a pirate.

I was taking it out before I new there was a risk. koff koff.

Answer 10

Please do not try to attempt this yourself, if you suspect you have abestos in your house and you do want to re-model, please call in a professional to put your worries to rest. If it is abestos you must follow federal laws on removal and disposal, and i do not recomend doing this yourself, you may be able to remove most of it following other people suggestions, but this method will leave some behind throught the house as "dust" and will do more long term damage. The professionals will seal up the room or the area that is to be removed and basically be self contained and will do another test afterwards to certify it abesto free which is a really good selling point if you plan to sell your house in the near future. But in hindsight, get a professional in to test the material first to put your fears to rest.