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08-18-2008, 02:01 PM
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Location: in pa, but missin montana
65 posts, read 288,757 times
Reputation: 41
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Hi- we just bought a home- it has asbestos floor tiles upstairs- we had them tested, and it was confirmed. Is it best to just carpet over the tiles or remove them? these tiles are breaking and in bad shape-
I also contacted an asbestos removal company and they charge 1.50$ a sq. foot to remove the tiles- we have about 500 sq. ft of the tiles.
If we remove them ourselves are we jepordizing our health?
If we did it ourselves, would a mask and a lot of ventilation do the trick- whats the deal?
Thanks!
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08-18-2008, 02:19 PM
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Location: Stewartsville, NJ
7,577 posts, read 21,862,348 times
Reputation: 1258
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rheannad
Hi- we just bought a home- it has asbestos floor tiles upstairs- we had them tested, and it was confirmed. Is it best to just carpet over the tiles or remove them? these tiles are breaking and in bad shape-
I also contacted an asbestos removal company and they charge 1.50$ a sq. foot to remove the tiles- we have about 500 sq. ft of the tiles.
If we remove them ourselves are we jepordizing our health?
If we did it ourselves, would a mask and a lot of ventilation do the trick- whats the deal?
Thanks!
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I don't recommend it. It's the fibers that are dangerous... even if you have a mask, the fibers will linger in the air as well as sticking to your clothes. For $750.00..use the professionals. |
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08-18-2008, 08:16 PM
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Location: Sometimes Maryland, sometimes NoVA. Depends on the day of the week
1,501 posts, read 11,480,945 times
Reputation: 1133
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encapsulation is a valid method to deal with asbestos, but since you said they are already breaking up and in "bad shape," I would go with professional replacement. I wouldn't think carpet would be encapsulation since the fibers might could pass through it. And, even though I am an avid DIYer, I wouldn't touch damaged asbestos.
Here are the EPA guidelines: Asbestos in Your Home | Asbestos | US EPA
A mask alone wouldn't be enough for asbestos. You need a full on P100 respirator. But fibers could still be released into the air, get into your ducts, etc. |
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08-18-2008, 08:36 PM
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Location: in pa, but missin montana
65 posts, read 288,757 times
Reputation: 41
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asbestos
Hi guys- thanks for the feedback- i think the best idea is to have them professionally removed- i did look at the epa website- I wasn't sure that carpet would encapsulate the asbestos, so its time to call the professionals- its all about putting into prespective- 750 bucks or illnes!
thanks
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08-18-2008, 08:40 PM
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Location: Stewartsville, NJ
7,577 posts, read 21,862,348 times
Reputation: 1258
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rheannad
Hi guys- thanks for the feedback- i think the best idea is to have them professionally removed- i did look at the epa website- I wasn't sure that carpet would encapsulate the asbestos, so its time to call the professionals- its all about putting into prespective- 750 bucks or illnes!
thanks
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Good decision  . 750 vs. a life time of illness and medical bills..hummm - no brainer!  |
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08-18-2008, 09:29 PM
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Location: Sometimes Maryland, sometimes NoVA. Depends on the day of the week
1,501 posts, read 11,480,945 times
Reputation: 1133
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Thanks to your motivation, I just discovered I can have our tiles tested for $30. They are in good condition, and we were going to encapsulate them anyway (skim coat then cork). But for $30, I'll test them and maybe skip the skim coat  |
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08-19-2008, 09:48 PM
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Location: in pa, but missin montana
65 posts, read 288,757 times
Reputation: 41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rubytue
Thanks to your motivation, I just discovered I can have our tiles tested for $30. They are in good condition, and we were going to encapsulate them anyway (skim coat then cork). But for $30, I'll test them and maybe skip the skim coat |
great- i used a lab based out of seattle wa- i mailed the tiles in on a Wednesday and got a phone call and emailed report on Monday! very fast, and it was only 30$ too! |
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08-20-2008, 08:43 AM
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13,461 posts, read 19,879,201 times
Reputation: 7477
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I have them in my 50s era basement. My inspector said they are harmless as long as they are just lying there. When renovation time comes, he recommended just pouring a new floor over the old one as removing them is dangerous. But should you want them removed, you are right to hire pros.
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08-20-2008, 08:50 AM
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672 posts, read 5,720,265 times
Reputation: 719
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rheannad
Hi- we just bought a home- it has asbestos floor tiles upstairs- we had them tested, and it was confirmed. Is it best to just carpet over the tiles or remove them? these tiles are breaking and in bad shape-
I also contacted an asbestos removal company and they charge 1.50$ a sq. foot to remove the tiles- we have about 500 sq. ft of the tiles.
If we remove them ourselves are we jepordizing our health?
If we did it ourselves, would a mask and a lot of ventilation do the trick- whats the deal?
Thanks!
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At what point after you bought the house did you find about about the tiles? How did you find out? Did you find out during the inspection? Would this have been a deal-breaker for you if you knew about them before you bought the house? |
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08-20-2008, 08:50 AM
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Location: Visitation between Wal-Mart & Home Depot
8,307 posts, read 37,779,392 times
Reputation: 7176
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wileynj
I don't recommend it. It's the fibers that are dangerous... even if you have a mask, the fibers will linger in the air as well as sticking to your clothes. For $750.00..use the professionals.
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This is excellent advice. You best option is to spend the $750 for professional abatement. Your second best option is to just carpet over them. The old Vinyl Asbestos Tiles are only about 2% asbestos and the fibers generally remain locked up in the tiles unless you do something rash like start chipping them up, breaking them into little pieces and stirring up a lot of dust with heavy ventilation.
Mesothelioma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
read this over, then think about how much it would really hurt to spend $750.00. Sounds pretty reasonable to me. |
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