Can I lay new flooring over old asbestos tile?

Question

I just got my basement waterproofed, and in the process it was brought to my attention that the tiles in my basement floor are asbestos. Is it necessary to have the tile removed, or can I just lay new flooring over top of it?

BTW, I'm not asking just for the sake of saving money....I have actually seen some info that leads me to believe that "disturbing" it might actually cause more problems than just covering it. So I'm not just looking for the cheapest solution...I'm looking for the best solution.

Answer 1

I think if you seal it with an epoxy it's considered remediation. By being glued in place the asbestos fibres are not exposed to do harm by being breathed in. And if you lay a new floor over top of that. there is an additional barrier.

Answer 2

Asbestos In Flooring

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Can I lay new flooring over old asbestos tile?
I just got my basement waterproofed, and in the process it was brought to my attention that the tiles in my basement floor are asbestos. Is it necessary to have the tile removed, or can I just lay new flooring over top of it?

Answer 4

Yes you can, but "HOW" you do it is dependent upon what type of flooring you intend to install over it. If you are using carpet and it will be stretched simply have it installed over the tile and it will be fine, if the tile does not extend into all areas that will get the new flooring you may need to "feather it off" with a patch material to make a gradual slope to remove any height difference. If you are using any type of "floating" floor installation you can simply do the same. (eg: laminate floor, floating wood floor, floating cork floor). If you are going with ceramic tile or an approved acceptable engineered wood flooring product, I would bury it with a layer of self leveling underlayment that you can pour onto the floor to cover it and make it flat and smooth and then begin installing your tile or wood. If you are using vinyl tile (the new non-asbestos version of what you have) or a sheet vinyl, glued down carpet, or other vinyl tile product, do the same as with tile or wood, OR hand trowel it with a feather patch material and then lay your new tile. (this will encapsulate the asbestos and it can be done as the vinyl or carpet will be more forgiving than tile or wood with regard to sub floor being perfectly flat.) the key here as in all installations is to have a flat and smooth sub floor before beginning your installation of ANY floor product! Hope I didnt miss the floor you plan on using!!! Good luck,
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Answer 5

It's strange to say the least. I worked for a company that used asbestos for many years, without resperation devices. We lived with things like asbestos, lead paint, etc for many years. Now people don't even want to talk about it. Yes they can be dangerous but, for Pete's sake there are parameters that can be used. Your walking on the floor not eating it. Clean it up, use a good sealer from Home Depot to help the glue or peel and stick, stick better, and cover it.

Answer 6

Asbestos tiles are different than asbestos insulation. It is being recommended to cover or otherwise encapsulate asbestos tiles rather than try to take it up. Asbestos is only dangerous if it is made airborne. Click on the link below and scroll down to residential flooring.

http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/asbestos/floortile/index.html

Answer 7

Asbestos asbestos, it's in the the air
Asbestos asbestos, it's everywhere
Asbestos asbestos, you'd better run 'cause
Asbestos asbestos, here it comes...

Seriously, I'm reasonably sure there is legislation pertaining to the proper sealing or removal of asbestos. You have to take care of it properly or risk a whole heap of problems. Not least of which would be mesothelioma in yourself, your children or whomever you sell the house to.

Answer 8

Yes, you can. I did that rather than going through the expensive HAZMAT removal. Just don't do ANYTHING to move those tiles. Good luck!!!

Answer 9

Now that you have been notified, in most if not all areas you are required to follow specific guidelines for doing anything in that space. If the contractor goes ahead with the work and the methods are not up to standard you can be sued. You can be fined. As you can guess, the cost for this work is very high as it is considered toxic cleanup. The contractor you do use has to be qualified to do the work. I am pretty sure though that your contractor will do whatever you want him to do next. Cover it, remove it.... Do you want asbestos in your house? It is listed as toxic for a reason.

Removal of nonregulated asbestos materials can be legally performed by homeowners, regular contractors, or licensed asbestos abatement contractors so long as each does not violate the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) regulations (Refer to 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M) and the work complies with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations delineated in 29 CFR 1926.1101. The State of New Hampshire requires the removal of asbestos prior to any demolition work (Refer to the N.H. Code of Administrative Rules Part Env-A 1805.09). During demolition, problems with friable material are most often caused by fiber release resulting in a violation of the NESHAP regulations. Problems with nonfriable asbestos are most often associated with a breakup of materials which may contaminate the surrounding materials making it necessary to treat all demolition debris as contaminated material.

Although the health risk involved in handling nonfriable, non regulated asbestos material is small, the removal of nonregulated material should be done in a manner that will minimize the release of fibers due to breakage. In recognition of the fact that some breakage will occur during any removal job, the State recommends that one wear asbestos related safety equipment including a disposable tyvek suit, gloves, and must be medically able to wear a half mask respirator with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, and adhere to the principles of wet removal and "no visible emissions".

With one exception, the removal of RACM in workplaces, schools, public facilities, and dwellings must be done by licensed asbestos abatement contractors after notifying the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES). The one exception is an individual homeowner, with no tenants, doing removal work at his/her own residence. This type of removal, if undertaken by the homeowner, should be done only after thorough preparation from an informational, educational, and equipment perspective.

A listing of licensed asbestos contractors can be obtained by contacting the Department of Health and Human Services

**Above is for NH, below is for WA, as you can see there are regulations and they vary depending on where you are. Wouldn't it be a shame if when you went to refi or sell your home you had to lie on the form asking if you are aware of any hazardous conditions with your house.**

Asbestos hazards
Asbestos has been widely used in many building products because of its tensile strength and chemical and thermal resistance.

However, asbestos is extremely hazardous to workers handling it and to others in the area when it gets into the air and is inhaled. Asbestos is a carcinogen that causes lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Because of this hazard, laws have been enacted to prevent asbestos exposures. They include these requirements:

Fines
State law specifies a minimum $250 per day fine for failure to obtain an asbestos report. This fine can be applied to both the contractor and building owner. Additional fines may be applied if workers are exposed to airborne asbestos.

Building owners must have their buildings inspected for asbestos before construction, renovation and demolition activities.

Cowboydoc, those mesothelioma commercials on tv are directed at you.

Answer 10

you have to have them removed by a pro asbesto company under the law and health code .you can not lay anything over the top of them you need to remove them under the epa code and health code and city codes i hope you have a permit for the work you are doing