How to Secure Asbestos Tile Floors

Wall-to-wall carpeting can secure asbestos tiles and prevent the need for removal.

Only a trained professional should remove asbestos tile floors. Most states require that disposal crews be certified and that you notify local authorities before beginning. If the floors are in good condition, however, you can cover them with another type of flooring. This will prevent further wear of the tile, greatly reducing the chance that the asbestos particles will become airborne. Even with the asbestos tiles secured, the presence of asbestos tile underneath the new flooring should be disclosed for safety purposes before selling the home.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum cleaner
• Tacking strips
• Epoxy adhesive
• Carpet padding adhesive
• Trowel
• Carpet pad
• Duct tape
• Utility knife
• Carpeting
• Cushion back carpet cutter
• Latex carpet seam sealer
• Carpet seam tape
• Seaming iron
• Knee kicker
• Stair chisel
• Double blade wall cutter
• Power stretcher
• Transitional door threshold
• Hammer
• Nails

Instructions

1. Clean the asbestos tiles with a vacuum cleaner to remove any dirt or other debris. Adhere tacking strips to the floor using epoxy adhesive. The tacking strips should be placed 1/2 inch from the walls and follow the perimeter of the room. Wait 24 hours before continuing.

2. Spread carpet padding adhesive on the floor using a trowel. Place the carpet pad over the padding adhesive and smooth it carefully to remove any bubbles. Tape any seams between the pieces of carpet padding using duct tape. Trim the edges of the carpet pad so it is flush with the tacking strip using a utility knife.

3. Roll out the carpeting over the carpet pad. Cut the pieces of carpet to fit the room using a utility knife, allowing for some extra carpet along the perimeter.

4. Trim all the carpet seams using a cushion back cutter. Spread latex carpet seam sealer on the back edges of the carpet seams to prevent fraying. Let the seam sealer dry before continuing.

5. Place a piece of seam tape underneath all carpeting seams in the room. Make sure that the pieces of carpet are butted up against each other without any space between the seams. Use a seaming iron to heat the seam tape and activate the adhesive.

6. Adhere the edges of one side of the carpet to the tack strips using a knee kicker. Use a stair chisel to make sure the carpet is securely fastened onto the tacking strip. Cut the carpet so it is flush with the wall using a double-blade wall cutter.

7. Pull the opposite edge of the carpet onto the tacking strips using a power stretcher. Use the stair chisel to make sure that the carpet is hooked onto the strip. Cut the carpet so it is flush with the wall using the double-blade wall cutter. Continue this process until all of the edges of the carpet are secured to a tacking strip.

8. Press the cut edges of the carpet underneath the baseboards using the stair chisel and knee kicker. Nail transitional door thresholds over any carpet seams that end at doorways to protect the carpet edge using a hammer and finishing nails.

Tips & Warnings

• When choosing a carpet pad, consider the moisture level of the room. A basement will need a rubber-based carpet pad, while other rooms may use a fiber-based pad.

• Laying carpet requires several specialized tools and a large degree of skill, so hiring a professional may be the best option for many homeowners.

• If the asbestos tile shows signs of breaking, crumbling or excessive wear, do not attempt to complete this project. Instead, call a professional asbestos removal company to assess the situation and discuss removal options.

References

• This Old House: Asbestos Floor Tiles
• This Old House: How to Install Wall-To-Wall Carpeting