Removing old tiles

cellophane · 11-15-2009, 04:43 PM

i'm in the process of clearing out the old flooring and miscellaneous stuff in my kitchen and underneath the existing luan sheets there are some old tiles over a thin membrane over the original wood flooring. the luan and vinyl came up really easily, the tiles however are not so easy to remove that i can tell so far. i tried with a prybar and hammer but the tiles just snap - they are brittle enough that i can snap them with my hands. if i were to guess i would say they are linoleum but i have no idea. there is quite a bit of water damage to the tiles as well. the tiles are 9x9 and probably installed in the 50's or 60's.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/celloph...7622810008076/

Bud Cline · 11-15-2009, 04:46 PM

.....and they contain asbestos.

rusty baker · 11-15-2009, 06:16 PM

And that black adhesive under them also contains asbestos.

Maintenance 6 · 11-16-2009, 07:39 AM

And if you are breaking them and scraping the mastic, you are releasing microscopic asbetos fibers into the air that you and your family are breathing.

Bud Cline · 11-16-2009, 05:29 PM

...and the face mask and safety glasses you are wearing DO NOT qualify for the work you are doing.

cellophane · 11-16-2009, 06:11 PM

all sorts of good news in here today

i ordered a respirator with asbestos rated filters and a tyvek coverall (i have to tear out a chimney anyways) and given the amount of damage to the tiles i'm pretty sure they have to come out one way or another. i'm also looking into some abatement companies locally. if its not absurdly expensive i'll pay someone, otherwise ill be wearing really old floor tile for a day.

and at the time of the photo i was tearing down shelving & some very beat up luan and vinyl flooring :p the tiles are still intact.

Bud Cline · 11-16-2009, 11:35 PM

Ah-h-h-h!

Maintenance 6 · 11-17-2009, 09:39 AM

[quote=cellophane;353933]all sorts of good news in here today

i ordered a respirator with asbestos rated filters and a tyvek coverall (quote]

Yup. So you'll be protected while you tear out............ and what about all the microscopic fibers that'll be floating around in the air for months or years afterwards?

rusty baker · 11-17-2009, 03:51 PM

We all know that quote. "You can't fix S....d"