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Hello to all.
I was wondering if any of you had any input. I’ve got a potential job which would include the removal of about 700+/- sq. ft. of 50 year old 8×8 linoleum tile. The tile is barely hanging on to the floor in many areas, and the tiles themselves are very brittle, cracked, curled, dull, etc. Besides removing them of course, the owner would like to simply paint the floor-a slab-in a 150 year-old urban row home with a good deck enamel or epoxy paint, to enhance sweepability and cleanliness. The slab is surely younger, fairly dry but with virtually no air circulation. (I plan on recommending purchase of a good, dedicated space de-humidfier upon completion.) This is the issue: The bituminous-based adhesive however will not be as easy. It is brittle too, but if it all doesn’t come up with the scraping and grunting, would I be able to get a floor buffer and use abrasives? I really don’t want to put a nice higher gloss floor finish on top of remnants of adhesive trowel swirls. Any thoughts?
Thanks, Huntman.
P.S. Any good thoughts about the intermediate tasks, like most of the adhesive removal would be appreciated too.
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I've used two methods with success. First try using dry ice, in a canvas bag, to freeze the adhesive and then scrape it off. If that should leave some, the second method is to grind it off with a concrete grinder, or if not too bad a floor sander. However, the dust is bad!!! Warn the client of the dust and wear protection.
*Huntman,Be careful! The tiles and mastik, from that time period, may very well contain asbestos. You may want to stay with scraping and solvents rather than cretaing any dust from grinding.Elbow grease does wonders but sometimes you need plenty of it.Pete
*Pete's absolutely right, the linolem and mastics could well contain asbestos: I'd be cautious even with scraping.Asbestos is most dangerous when it is friable: i.e., when tiny lttle microscopic particles are released into the air (where they remain for long periods of time) and can cause damage when inhaled.Be sure you're following all of the applicable rules for this type of work
*Look in the archives. Petroleum based adhesives can be removed with citrus solvents. I would rethink the grinding part as you may be putting the client at risk and open yourself to liability.
*Yes this is a likely candidate for abestos. If you HAVE to remove it better check the regs. In my area you must be certified for this. Also disposal is a problem, nearest dump to me that takes it is 175 miles 1 way. Have you considered a floating, pergo type floor?
*Geoff B provided you the best advice yet. Certification, license, insurance, and disposal...not to mention what you are opening yourself up to! You and your workers are at great risk, along with the homeowners, and, the air borne particals that the neighbors can say they inhale from this project. I worked with tile removal in California...we hired a licensed pro whenever the tile tested positive for asbestos. Again, I agree with Geoff...cover the floor with a "floating" floor.
*This guy in my town had this building full of asbestos. He hired these guys out of a homeless shelter to remove it- without any respirators. He locked (allegedly) some of these guys in the basement of the building until they finished the work. One of the guys told me he used a leaf blower to clean up the dust- coming outlike he'd been "rolled in flour". They then bagged the stuff up and dumped it in public dumpsters at the local high school and elementary school.He is going to go to jail for a while, I should suspect.The Feds just love to have a raison de etre (reason to exist).His was a outrageous case- no comparison to yours.You sound like an honest guy, but it is easy to get in trouble.Better look up the regs in your area.
*Have had luck using a heavy, long-handled, scraper. One with a sliding weight on the handle really moved the tough stuff. This is pretty much off the wall but I once used dry ice to make the tar based adhesive brottle. The floor area was small. A few swings of the scraper pulverized the otherwise gummy tar.As for any asbestos. First ask about regulations and have any questionable materials tested. Saving a few hundred bucks followed by a $5000 fine isn't much of a bargan. Discounting any regulations soapy water applied with a pump up sprayer will keep the dust down. I would wear a HEPA resperator, use a mop to pick up excess water and bag the mop head and all other materials. Disposing of the bags would be the hardest part. Consider hiring a professional in asbestos abatement. Some contractors will test for free, get a second opinion to confirm the need for abatement.