Hey now.
I was talking to a board member of my church over the weekend and just after he talked me into becoming a member of his committee we discussed upcoming projects for this fiscal year.
One important project is to “fix” the issue of the asbestos tile floor in the community room. He indicated they got a quote last year to cover and seal it. He didn’t have any further details. Does this sound like a standard way to deal with this situation? Can anyone offer details of this technique if you have experienced it?
I’m always open to suggestions or alternatives too. Shoot me your best ideas.
thanks in advance,
Stu
Replies
Encapsulating asbestos material, rather than removing it, is an accepted solution. But it has to be done right. If the old tile is loose, then you need to removbe it because new tile won't be secure. If the old tile is still tightly adhered, you can probably tile over it.
"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
Do you know what is used to encapsulate? An epoxy coat or something?
Encapsulate is a term. It can be done with several things, like sheet vinyl. Or ceramic tile. You might make a friendly low-key phone call to your permit department and see what they have to say.
"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
Asbestos floor tile, in and of itself, often does not need anything "done" to it.
Asbestos is considered dangerous when it is a tiny airborne particle that you can breathe in. In this form it's called "friable". As part of a solid material it poses no danger I have ever heard of.
If you disturb it by scraping and breaking it up, you may put some amount of fiber into the air and then you'd have a problem.
If it is making people nervous, leaving it in place and covering it with another flooring material is an acceptable way of encapsulating it as others have said.
Please be sure to double check the facts with a local asbestos abatement professional before disturbing the floor, creating a problem, and possibly wasting alot of effort and money needlessly.
Edited 3/6/2006 7:35 pm ET by BUIC
Thanks for the words. I'm pretty sure this has been mandated. Turns out the church has a private school for kids as a tennent and in order for them to use this room it must be addressed by law. I'll be sure to double check this before spending any money.If in fact we must do this I'd like to do in the best and most cost effective manner. Stu