How to Remove Asbestos Backed Tile From a Floor

Remove asbestos backed tiles with basic supplies.

Older vinyl, linoleum and asphalt floor tiles can contain asbestos backing for added strength, durability and heat resistance. Although asbestos backed tiles are long lasting, they eventually weaken and wear out overtime due to moisture, heat and aging. Only remove asbestos tiles if they are pulverized, powdery or crumbled. Damaged asbestos emits microscopic fibers in the air that can cause health problems if inhaled. While intact asbestos tiles are not hazardous, they can become dangerous if disturbed. Properly and carefully remove asbestos backed tiles for safety purposes.

Things You'll Need

• Safety glasses
• Work gloves
• Rubber boots
• Disposable work suit
• HEPA respirator
• Polyethylene sheeting
• Duct tape
• Pump garden sprayer
• 5 gallons of warm water
• 1-cup liquid dish soap
• 6-inch wide putty knife
• Hammer
• Polyethylene-lined cardboard boxes
• Abrasive pad
• Paper towels
• Waste bags
• Spray bottle
• 3-gallon plastic bucket
• Clean rag

Instructions

1. Put on safety glasses, work gloves, rubber boots and a disposable work suit. Wear a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter respirator for protection against the asbestos.

2. Remove all furniture and movable objects from the room. Cover all immovable objects with polyethylene sheeting. Seal the sheeting with duct tape.

3. Turn off air ventilation systems and cover the vents with polyethylene sheeting. Seal the sheeting with duct tape.

4. Cover all doorways and openings with polyethylene sheeting to prevent asbestos spores from contaminating other areas of the home. Seal the sheeting with duct tape.

5. Fill a pump garden sprayer with 5 gallons of warm water. Add 1 cup of liquid dish soap to the water. Thoroughly mix the solution.

6. Spray the soapy solution over the entire floor to loosen the tiles. Keep the solution on the tiles for two hours.

7. Wedge a 6-inch wide putty knife underneath a tile at the edge of the floor. Tap the putty knife's handle with a hammer to loosen the tile. Completely pry up the tile with the putty knife. Place the tile in a polyethylene-lined cardboard box.

8. Remove the remaining tiles on the floor using the same method as previously. Place all the tiles in polyethylene-lined cardboard boxes.

9. Spray the remaining tile adhesive with the soapy solution. Scrub the sub-floor with an abrasive pad to remove the remaining tile adhesive. Constantly keep the sub-floor wet as you scrub.

10. Dry the entire sub-floor with paper towels. Place the paper towels in waste bags. Tie the bag openings in a knot.

11. Fill a spray bottle and 3 gallon plastic bucket with warm water. Spray water over all polyethylene sheets and dust-covered surfaces.

12. Wipe the polyethylene sheets and dust-covered surfaces with a clean rag. Frequently rinse the rag in the bucket of water. Refill the bucket with fresh water as it becomes dirty.

13. Place the polyethylene sheets, duct tape, gear and supplies into waste bags. Tie the bag openings into knots. Seal the polyethylene-lined cardboard boxes with duct tape.

14. Contact a local waste hauler to pick up and dispose the waste bags and polyethylene-lined cardboard boxes.

Tips & Warnings

• You can substitute the putty knife for the abrasive pad.

• Never sand or grind asbestos adhesives to prevent releasing harmful fibers into the air.

References

• Minnesota Department of Health: Asbestos - Floor Tile Removal
• Oregon Department of Environmental Quality: How To Remove Nonfriable Asbestos-Containing Floor Tile
• United States Environmental Protection Agency: Asbestos

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish