What is the best way to remove asbestos tile from an old house?
Question:What is the best way to remove asbestos tile from an old house? Knowing that asbestos can cause cancer I would like to know anything that would make this experience safer.
Answers:
The tile are safe if left on the floor. The asbestos in entrapped in the vinyl. So why take up? What are you putting down? Can you put down a new sub-floor, over top of the tile and then the new floor. There is may be no reason to remove? Removal by the home owner may be illegal in some areas. If you truly need to remove yourself add more info and I can give you info of how it was removed in the 1980s that was kinda safe.
You should have a contractor who is licensed in asbestos removal do this job for you as there is danger in breathing in the dust that could occur with it's removal. Also, you can't just throw them away, they must be disposed of in an appropriated location. That is the easiest way, and safest as well.
Hire a professional, they have all the safety equipment necessary as well as the experience.
Best advice is to have a hazardous material company abate the asbestos.
If you do attempt this the procedure is not to allow the asbestos to get airborne. The professionals use water, exhaust fans, particle tight clothing and high quality face masks to remove asbestos.
Most communities require that asbestos be removed by a certified contractor. They have the proper safety equipment and apparell and know the procedures for containment The contractor is responsible for it's proper disposal.
Floor tile is one of the safer asbestos containing materials to remove because the fibers do not become airborne as easily as they do in other materials. Some precautions are in order, but it is not unreasonable to undertake this on your own.
First, seal off everything to minimize the chance of fibers getting into other parts of the house. Two layers of heavy plastic sheeting over doorways sealed with duct tape. Cover heating registers with cardboard and 2 layers of plastic and duct tape. Cover anything that may be difficult to thoroughly clean with two layers of plastic and seal well. Cabinets are a good candidate for this treatment.
As you are removing tile, keep them damp with a solution of dish detergent and water. Two tablespoons or so per gallon. Place the removed tile in a heavy plastic bag. Fill about half full, tie the bag and seal with duct tape. Wash the bag down with the detergent and water. Place the sealed bag inside a new bag, tie and seal. Take care not to contaminate the outside of the second bag with a piece of clean cardboard on the floor, or if there is a door directly to the outside put the second bag on outside.
After the material is removed, clean everything in the room, including the inside of unsealed cabinets, light fixtures, windows, etc thoroughly with the soap and water. Start at the top and get everything including the ceiling and plastic sheeting. Carefully remove the plastic and dispose of it in the same way you do the tile -- double bags, tied and taped. Dispose of the clothing you were were wearing as well and take a good shower.
You should use a good dust mask for extra safety. Disposal requirements vary depending upon your location, but usually you simply have to disclose that you have asbestos containing material and pay a bit more for special handling.
I have to wonder where people get some of these ideas? With the exception of a very few locations (mostly in California), you can legally remove asbestos from your own property as long as the material is properly disposed of. Even in the locations that have stricter regulations, you can remove material that has a minimal amount of the substance.
CERCLA generally applies to industrial sites and -- this is the important part -- only applies to hazardous materials that are on site. If you were to bury the material in your back yard it could in theory apply. If you were to bury a very large amount, then it certainly would.
Under CERCLA the ComprehensiveEmergencyResponse... LiabilityAct civil and criminal penalties can be assessed from cradle to grave,, meaning your great grand children could be held responsible,for improperly disposed of hazardous materials If you absolutely must remove it hire someone licensed, which could be expensive . The alternative is to paint it or install siding over it something like hardi board it works great but you need to use a nail gun because the beating of a hammer will break the asbestos tiles underneath which releases the asbestos good luck from Texas
the only way asbestos tile could cause Cancer if you breathe it and the only way to breathe it is when you remove the tile and create dust so why do that when you could leave it alone and it would cause no harm and go over it with a new floor on top of it that's what we do when we come in contact with an old floor like that good luck
Check out www.BuyInsulationProducts.com for asbestos removal supplies.
More Related Questions & Answers...