How to Remove Tiles With Asbestos
Asbestos is a fire-resistant natural mineral fiber, which was widely used in building materials before 1987. Many products in use today, including vinyl floor tiles, still contain asbestos. Removing tiles with asbestos requires extreme care and caution, as well as some research before undertaking the project.
Research federal, state and local laws concerning the safe handling and proper disposal of asbestos tiles. If your state allows you to proceed, the tiles should be in a non-friable state. Vinyl tiles are non-friable unless they are crushed, crumbled or otherwise severely damaged.
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Things You'll Need
- Safety glasses
- Respirator with asbestos filter
- Leak-proof container
- Heavy-duty metal scraper
- Blow dryer or a heat gun
- Commercial floor adhesive remover
Instructions
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Put your safety glasses and respirator on to make sure the debris doesn't get into your eyes and you don't end up breathing it in.
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Work the tile loose by prying with a heavy-duty metal scraper. Start under a corner and gently work the scraper back and forth under the tile until it works loose entirely. Remove the tiles in whole pieces, so the asbestos remains in a non-friable state.
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Mop the floor free of any loose residue.
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4
Use a commercial floor adhesive remover to remove the adhesive residue.
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Put the tiles in leak-proof containers and clearly mark the container with a warning that the materials inside contain asbestos.
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6
Properly dispose of the tiles at an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved asbestos disposal site. You'll probably have to hire someone who is licensed and/or otherwise qualified to dispose of asbestos to properly dispose of your tiles.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a blow dryer or heat gun to soften the floor adhesive. This will make it easier for you to remove the tiles without breaking them.
If left undisturbed, asbestos isn't a health hazard. However, it becomes one when the product containing asbestos is damaged and the fibers are released into the air, because people can inadvertently inhale or swallow them. Exposure to asbestos can cause serious diseases, such as mesothelioma (a form of cancer) and asbestosis (chronic disease affecting the parenchymal tissue of the lungs). You may end up having to hire a licensed asbestos abatement contractor to do the entire job, depending on your state and local laws. Many states only allow licensed asbestos abatement contractors to handle and dispose of anything with asbestos in it.
