You must ascertain whether the old vinyl flooring in your home contains asbestos before you start the operation to remove it. Before 1986, asbestos was used in the majority of vinyl flooring products, either in the tiles or the supporting materials. Even a few of the first peel-and-stick tiles contained asbestos as their primary component. Moreover, asbestos was discovered in the adhesives that held the flooring down. If you are unsure whether the vinyl flooring in your home contains asbestos, you should remove the old vinyl flooring in accordance with the Resilient Floor Covering Institute's work practice standards.
Removing Vinyl Plank Flooring With Asbestos From Concrete Or From Plywood
When asbestos-containing flooring materials are removed, minute dust enters the air, endangering breathing. The only way to identify asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral fiber found in the earth, is with a specialized microscope. These fibers can cause asbestosis or the lung cancer mesothelioma when inhaled. Many states forbid homeowners from removing any asbestos-containing materials from their homes. For example, qualified specialists are required by California law to remove and dispose of any materials that contain asbestos. To determine whether the glue or flooring contains asbestos, a lab test is necessary.
- Vinyl flooring removal including asbestos calls for specialized protective gear and breathing apparatus. If the flooring is dry, professionals won't drill, sand, dry scrape, or saw it off. They will use a detergent solution to completely moisten the floor. Do not sweep up such items with a broom.
- The vacuum must feature a disposable bag, a high-efficiency particle air filter, and a metal floor attachment without a brush when vacuuming. To remove the flooring, wet-scrape the vinyl subfloor.
- Use leak-proof containers or place all flooring supplies in impermeable, 6-mil heavy-duty trash bags and seal them. All bags and containers must be clearly marked as containing asbestos before disposal.
Removing Vinyl Flooring Without Asbestos
- Baseboards and any threshold covers put over vinyl flooring seams between rooms should be taken off. By dry-scraping or using a mechanical multi-tool, you can quickly remove vinyl flooring materials from which you are certain asbestos is absent. Work your way around the room starting on one side.
- To begin, locate a loose edge or raise a flooring edge using a putty knife or other pry tool. If the vinyl flooring is still intact, roll it up as you go to provide space to access the area beneath it. Scratch away at the subfloor until it is gone entirely.