Pulled up carpet that maybe had asbestos under it -- now what?!! (house, neighborhood) - City-Data Forum

lovingLI · 03-16-2012, 12:45 PM

Recently had Home Depot install a new carpet in our basement. We are not sure how old it is, but it looks like it could be from the 70s. There was a black lining under it that was stuck to the floor in some spots and couldn't be removed, but was mostly a dark fine dust. The guys just vacuumed it up and installed the new pad and carpet over it. Well, we had someone from the company over today to fix some things they did wrong and he non-chalantly mentioned that there was probably asbestos in that underlay!! OMG! I have an 8 year old whose been playing in the basement! Wondering if anyone's experienced this and has any advice. We called an asbestos inspection company and they are coming to test. They can test just the carpet and air in basement, or do the whole house for a lot more money. If they find asbestos, what then???

ydsavaged · 03-16-2012, 12:48 PM

It was the 70's... could have been anything. Are you really questioning "dark fine dust" ?

bellakin123 · 03-16-2012, 01:22 PM

How long have you been in your house? Assuming you bought your house, didn't you have an inspection done? I've never heard of asbestos in carpeting, but I'm not a professional. Does your basement have a funky smell to it? It could have been mold and not asbestos. This is why I don't allow Home Depot to do stuff because they just use outside contractors. They're just paid to do the job and nothing more.

VA Yankee · 03-16-2012, 02:00 PM

The black lining was it paper like? how wide?

lovingLI · 03-16-2012, 02:27 PM

It was thin black foamy stuff stuck to the carpet. It was disintegrating so it was a fine dust in many areas. The house was built in the 1950s and we've been in it 3 years. The carpet looks old and dated and the carpet guy guessed it was from the 70s. So far we've spoken to 2 asbestos companies who are coming to test. They said if there is asbestos we will have to move out until it is cleaned. Wow. Planning a Communion party at the house at the end of April. Was not planning for this. Will not do work with Home Depot again. Shouldn't a carpet company be aware of this and inform the buyer before any work is done???

Zytos · 03-16-2012, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovingLI

Will not do work with Home Depot again. Shouldn't a carpet company be aware of this and inform the buyer before any work is done???

... but how would they know what's under your carpet? I had carpet installed by Lowes on two separate occasions; I think you'd get the same service.

OhBeeHave · 03-16-2012, 02:34 PM

It could be that there is asbestos in the underlay, especially if it is 1970's or earlier. Keep the basement off limits for now. Did they track through your house with the debris from the old carpet, or were they able to go in and out through a basement entrance?

OhBeeHave · 03-16-2012, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zytos

... but how would they know what's under your carpet? I had carpet installed by Lowes on two separate occasions; I think you'd get the same service.

They wouldn't know until they started to remove the old carpet. If they were conscientious and saw anything remotely suspect, they should have stopped right there. The installer is merely a subcontractor for Home Depot and wants to make money. If they start hesitating and costing HD clients, they won't see jobs from HD ever again.

Interlude · 03-16-2012, 02:52 PM

Close all the windows and invite neighborhood pests over to dance on it with heavy boots.

Coney · 03-16-2012, 02:55 PM

During the 70s and 80s you could buy this cheap carpeting that came with a foam backing so that you didn't need the regular separate padding that you usually pay extra for when you buy carpet. They would actually use some sort of glue to hold it down to the floor. Could it be it was foam padding that separated from the carpeting and is falling apart?