How to Remove Old Linoleum & Asbestos
Asbestos was widely used in building materials until the late 1970s. Fireproof and strong, asbestos was added to insulation, water pipes, ceiling and floor coverings to increase their durability and insulating properties. Exposure to asbestos is a health risk, and can cause asbestosis, a chronic lung condition, and mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer. Materials containing asbestos are not dangerous if they are in good condition. But when they become worn or damaged, microscopic asbestos fibers are released into the air we breathe. This can lead to serious health complications years later. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Polyethylene sheeting
- Duct tape
- Disposable coveralls, shoe covering and gloves
- Eye protection
- Respirator
- Spray bottle
- Utility knife
- Putty knife
- Cardboard boxes
- Abrasive scrubbing pad
Instructions
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Remove all of the furniture from the room where you are working. If any of the items are too heavy, wrap them in polyethylene sheeting and seal them with duct tape to prevent any asbestos dust from settling on them.
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Cover the air ducts in the room with polyethylene sheeting and seal with duct tape. This will prevent asbestos dust from falling into the ductwork.
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Create an air-lock at the room's entrance. Cut one piece of polyethylene sheeting to completely cover the doorway and tape it at the top, sides and bottom with duct tape. Cut a slit in the sheeting so you can pass in and out of the room. Now hang another sheet of polyethylene sheeting over the first piece, securing it just at the top. This covers the slit when not in use and still allows you to pass in and out of the room as you remove the asbestos and linoleum.
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Turn off the heating and cooling system in your home. This keeps the asbestos dust from circulating through your home.
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Carry all of the items you need into the work area before you begin, to minimize the need to come into and out of the room. If you do need to leave the room for any reason, remove your protective clothing and leave it in the room to prevent spreading asbestos dust throughout the house.
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Wear protective gear, including a disposable work suit, gloves and shoe coverings, eye protection and a respirator.
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Spray the linoleum with a solution of 1 cup dish soap added to 5 gallons of water. Keep the area you are working wet to prevent as much asbestos dust as possible from becoming airborne.
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Score the linoleum in sections 6 inches wide, using a utility knife.
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Pull the linoleum up, using a putty knife to scrape the sub-floor.
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Place discarded linoleum in a box lined with polyethylene sheeting. As you fill the box, gather the sheeting together at the top and seal it shut with duct tape to keep the asbestos dust from escaping.
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Scrub patches of adhesive left on the sub-floor with an abrasive pad.
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Contact your local waste management company to determine how to dispose of old linoleum that contains asbestos. Asbestos is considered a hazardous material and you must notify your waste management hauler before pick-up that you are disposing of it in your garbage. They will take the material as part of the service they provide, take it for an extra fee, or refuse to collect it. If the latter is your situation, ask them to provide you with information on how to dispose of it.
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Tips & Warnings
To eliminate the hassle of asbestos removal, you can cover existing linoleum flooring with new flooring. This seals in asbestos fibers, preventing them from becoming airborne.
References
Resources
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