Removal of linoleum containing asbestos?
Posted on October 3rd, 2009 by admin
Asbestos
A home that I’m considering buying has linoleum laid in 2 bedrooms. Based on the pattern (which is quite lovely, but losing its color where the sun strikes), we believe this flooring was laid before 1940. My first question is, what is the likelihood that the backing has asbestos? I won’t be able to test it until I buy the home. Secondly, if it does have asbestos, what is the time period all the plastic sheeting has to remain up once the floor is removed? We plan to do-it-ourselves and I know the local asbestos abatement place will rent protective equipment.
A home that I’m considering buying has linoleum laid in 2 bedrooms. Based on the pattern (which is quite lovely, but losing its color where the sun strikes), we believe this flooring was laid before 1940. My first question is, what is the likelihood that the backing has asbestos? I won’t be able to test it until I buy the home. Secondly, if it does have asbestos, what is the time period all the plastic sheeting has to remain up once the floor is removed? We plan to do-it-ourselves and I know the local asbestos abatement place will rent protective equipment.
Putting an underlayment over the floor is not an option. We have to remove the linoleum due to other work that must be done.
I should add that this is sheet flooring, not tiles. We aren’t sure if it the adhesive is only on the edges (which was apparently common) or if it is throughout the floor. We already have the disposal information and costs if it did contain asbestos.
I already know that the owner can’t do any repairs and the home will be sold as is. The county only requires the wiring to be up to code and that an inspection has shown that the foundation is still solid and those were done a couple of years ago.
Filed under: Do It Yourself (DIY)
New York City Job Listings
If the linoleum shows small strands of white like fine fish lines…it’s fiber glass and it’s asbestos. Ur options are to hire a company that specialized in it’s removal or some one that wears protective gear to remove it. also to take to a special place for disposal. In the old days, the people did not realized that the stuff is very toxic and causes lung cancer. Until many people got sick and die. U should make the contract out on the condition that they (owner) remove it first.
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It is possible to just roll up the linoleum to be discarded of properly. If you do not make the product airborn, it is safe to work with. I doubt any asbestos abatement place will rent you the equipment since it is covered by federal laws. So is the discarding of the material.
New York City Job Listings
1) The owner should certify the linoleum is asbestos free, or the house made so.
2) Most asbestos in flooring is non-friable, it’s encapsulated in the product and not the fluffy insulative type that creates dangerous dust. Floor tiling laid in mastic can be scraped up and removed with not much more than a dust mask. Linoleum, which is continuous sheeting, is not commonly known to contain much asbestos, and can be rolled up and taken to a landfill. I know I’ve seen lots of DIY programs on TV that do the whole moonsuit thing – but they are protecting themselves from viewers with no clue, their market.
Check with your local experts on what will be required, as the municipality governs what to do far more a quick answer off the internet.
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Before 1972 VCT Vinyl Composite Tiles, these are the 12 inch square tiles you will see in a grocery store or a department and they are usually highly waxed. Before 1972 these Commercial Tiles were called VAT Vinyl Asbestos Tiles and came in different sizes , 8″X8″ 12″X12″ and held securely with a black glue. If it is sheet vinyl, it probably does not contain Asbestos. If you are not sure, do not sand any area, wear a paper air mask when removing the material and dispose of the material in the local dump