Well, the projects have just begun on the new 1930’s home. First is removing the cat urine stained carpet and the “old world” linoleum under it. We plan on using either Bamboo in the dining and a bamboo border in the living/family. Or we may go tile. we probably would prefer tile, but the floor would be more work
The flooring is a diagonal run 3/4″-1″ fir subfloor and a perpendicular to the floor joist run fir t&g floor. On that, linoleum was applied. The pattern of the linoleum is an intricate border and a mosaic cobblestone field. It seems that this whole thing was applied to a thick rosin/paper/felt mat(what ever it is) and glued down to the fir floor. The linoleum comes up easily, but the backer doesn’t want to. It’s going to be a major amount of stripping
So the question is, could the backer be left down and the new bamboo flooring be applied directly over it or should it be stripped off. Stripping this backer also in cludes removing the adhesive which I have been told contains asbestos. so there is a coat of glue between the fir floor and the backer and another coat of glue between the backer and the linoleum.
Anybody have experience with this type of materials???
Thank you in advance… Brian
Edited 1/6/2006 6:27 pm by migraine
Replies
If you are not trying to save/restore the t&g flooring, just cut it out with all the stuff stuck to the top of it. This will also minimize asbestos dust. Then put down the new wood floor and you will end up at the same level as the original floor.
For a tile floor, I would do the same but put wet cement or cement board in place of the t&g, then tile over that.
If you wish to save/restore the t&g, have a knowledgeable, experienced hardwood refinisher look at it. Some of the hardwood shavers will shave that matting off very efficiently and it should cost only a nominal amount when sanding the floors anyway.
DG/Builder
A well adhered sheet vinyl floor makes a very good underlayment for nail or staple down wood flooring.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
It's funny... the bamboo flooring says to not put in over existing vinyl or linoleum. I think that they state this just so they don't have to cover the warranty.
We are trying to do this without having to hire a flooring refinisher, mainly becuse of the asbestos in the glue and all the regulations. If it were just me living here, I wouldn't hesitate doing it. But I have a wife and kids living here too.
I called a few flooring companies and the 3 that did call back are booked out for 2-6 months all on new work. Business is booming in the Sacramento, Ca. area.
Here's a very good wood flooring forum
hardwoodinstaller.com
They also sell flooring. Quality products at good prices.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Interesting as most wood flooring calls for some type of moisture barrier based on grade level. I know bamboo is really a grass and not wood, per se, but it would seem to have similar requirements. Hum....
In any event, with asbestos, remember - never dry sand. We had old tile flooring with asbestos issues and elected to use a sealer over the residual adhesive beneath a vinyl floor tiles which were removed without releasing much friable material that I am aware of. After years, the asphaltic adhesive residue (old enough to contain asbestos) has migrated to stain the vinyl. I wouldn't do that again. I think Zinzer was the recommended sealer at the time we did it. I wouldn't expect the migration to be such a problem with a wood or bamboo floor. In the kitchen, we installed the laminate floor directly over the vinyl, but I still have it in the laundry areas, etc. Carpet tiles will likely be the solution to those areas as time and finances permit.
Side note: Did you know that Federal Specifications, for their work, did not preclude asbestos, used as a stabilizer, for years!? I don't think that until the early-to-mid 70's it came up that asbestos was an issue. However, my friend's dad died due to mesothiloma (sp?), so I do take it seriously. Be wise for your sake and your family.