[boondocks95]

So..... I am remodeling a 1971 home. The basement has 9x9s in the laundry and bathroom, then carpet which the original owner said has always been carpet.

My plan was to floor over the tiles (assuming it might have asbestos), and take that carpet up and put the same LVP over all of it. I discovered last week when pulling up the carpet that they likely used black mastic to glue the carpet padding down. I had to scrape a lot of the padding off since it was stick so well. I sprayed it a decent amount with water and didn’t intentionally scrape at the mastic.

It’s my understanding that mastic is non-friable, but I’ve read that you should seal it or skim-coat over it. I ended up just laying 6mil plastic down and installing the floating floor.

It looks great. Is this an issue as far as the mastic is concerned ? Hopefully we didn’t disturb asbestos since we didn’t scrape it up (but we did scrape the padding up on top and walk on it). I’m not sure why they recommend sealing it if you’re flooring over it. The recommended products aren’t readily available at big box stores and I had to get it done.

 

[Windows on Wash]

Other way around. The tile is usually less friable than the mastic and easier/safer to work with.

 

[boondocks95]

Well I didn’t know it had it under the carpet. So I’m screwed ?

 

[boondocks95]

Here is a pic

 

[Old Thomas]

At this step in the process I would forget about it. It is very likely that 9x9 tiles and black mastic from that era is asbestos containing, but the disturbance is done.

 

[boondocks95]

I was more or less hoping for info if what I did was enough to encapsulate it. Also if it’s going to be safe to move my family in. I have two very small children. I didn’t disturb the tiles. I didn’t realize it could be under carpet tho! Does everyone who pulls out carpet in an old house hire an abatement company? You can just floor over old nasty carpet.

 

[Old Thomas]

It doesn’t have to be encapsulated as long as it is not being disturbed. Encapsulation is typically used where old asbestos pipe wrap is falling off or where asbestos is exposed and likely to be disturbed.
In NY a homeowner can remove asbestos any way he wants. A contractor has to follow Code Rule 56 for abatement.

 

[boondocks95]

Well did I disturb it ? I’m just wondering if it remains non-friable unless you sand it or something.

 

[Old Thomas]

You said you scraped so you could have disturbed it. Anything that releases microscopic airborne fibers is considered to be friable. I would not worry about it. You didn’t dry grind it or drill it or break it up. Your process is done, you are no longer doing anything to it. It is covered with an impervious layer and it can’t be seen, touched or further worked on. Without testing you don’t know whether it is asbestos. Use a wet cloth to clean up well and be done with it.

 

[huesmann]

It's too late to worry about it now. Hopefully you wore a mask when doing your demo, or your demo was short. As long as the "bad stuff" is covered with your new flooring, it should be pretty much a non-worry.