Asbestos tile removal?
I have asbestos tiles in my basement (of a home I recently purchased). I sent them off to a lab for testing. The lab results came back 4% asbestos. I definitely want to remove the tiles. The majority of the tiles are in good shape. Some of the corners on a few of them are cracking. Right now I am considering the DIY vs. hiring the pros for removal
I have been given conflicting advise thus far. Some say “do it yourself, there is a very low percentage of asbestos in your tiles — 4%.” Others say “Don’t risk it, pay for the peace of mind.”
Here are my questions:
Is 4% a low percentage for asbestos tiles? Is this low enough to be trivial or of lessor concern when taking on DIY removal?
The pros quoted me $1300 for removal and an additional $275 for an air quality test/certification. Is this a fair price for about 500 square feet of tiles? Is air quality testing really necessary given the low percentage of asbestos in my tiles? Or, are they just making money off the fear and hysteria around asbestos?
I called the city and they told me that the percentage is so low that they would just dispose of them as normal waste. They recommended we rent a dumpster and just throw them out.
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Filed under: Do It Yourself (DIY)
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if you remove the tiles yourself how are you going to dispose of them? if you do decide to diy keep the tile watered down
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Asbestos in tile form is stable, until you start messing with it. When you try to remove it, you will inevitably crack some. This will release the fibers. Just to give you some perspective, it only takes ONE fiber to cause mesothelioma or asbestosis. You can take the chance, but then what are you going to do with the tile? There are very specific EPA regulations concerning the disposal of asbestos. You can’t just throw it in the trash. If you get caught, you will be fined a lot more than the contractor is charging you. If it were me, I’d pay the contractor. The certification will help if and when you ever sell your house. Good luck.
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As a first year contracted insulator I haven’t exactly had a lot of experience with insulation yet, but I have had some experience removing asbestos and dealing with people who have been removing asbestos all their lives. I’m sure you’re well aware, but the health risks associated with removing it yourself are extreme. A simple paper dust mask will not offer you adequate protection.
When you’re removing the tiles the dust will spread onto your clothes and into the surrounding environment. In order to do the job properly you would want to have a negative air fan and full protective outer clothing. 4% asbestos is considered a high health risk (http://www.vcapcd.org/asbestos.htm), which means its probably much safer and easier to have a licensed contractor take care of it for you.
Long term breathing problems are not worth saving a few hundred dollars, and seeing some of the health issues my coworkers deal with on a daily bases has reinforced this idea to me quite heavily. Don’t risk it.
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Get some immagrents to remove it for $50!
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4% is low ……here in the uk we call it fibrous cement when it that low …iv been removing it on and off for 40 years ..its the dust that’s a problem …just give it a good wetting then remove e them
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Those tiles are quite safe while in place.
The asbestos is ‘encapsulated’ and no hazard until you cut them
creating airborn dust.
Yes, there is some “hysteria” involved, but it’s also found tis
way into the Law.
If you remove them, they are ‘Hazardous Waste’, and require
special, (expensive), disposal.
Doing it yourself, and just dumping them is a crime.
I’d just live with them
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So what if it’s 4%, it’s asbestos. It’s worth the cost of highering a pro instead of taking any risk to you health.