Asbestos tiles—how to deal?

[Anonymous]

How did you handle asbestos tiles in your house?

Articles I’ve read contradict each other.

Background: We have 2-3 broken tiles. One area shows the adhesive (mastic) and that apparently contains asbestos.

1. Some say abatement companies do as little as they can get away with to seal the house and vent properly while removing asbestos tiles.

2. This Old House says to cover with carpet.

3. Another source says carpet is bad to use because asbestos dust can eventually seep through into carpet fibers.

4.HGTV recommends covering with self-leveling cement.

Several sources say to consult abatement companies or experts if you have any broken tiles at all—even before encapsulating with cement.

Have you dealt with this? If so, how did you handle it?

[Anonymous]

We were told to just leave them as is (cover with carpet) and there is no risk. It is only an issue if they are removed. The broken tiles would give me pause though.

[Anonymous]

Call your insurance company and don't try to foot your HOA with the bill.

[Anonymous]

Called asbestos remediation company. Got every speck out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call your insurance company and don't try to foot your HOA with the bill.[/quote

??

This makes no sense. The insurance company doesn't care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Called asbestos remediation company. Got every speck out

Sounds nice in theory but that creates dust and the dust is filled with asbestos...Some abatement companies are not that careful so this would put all of us in the house at risk with dust and bad air quality.

[Anonymous]

We covered in cement then flooring on top.

[Anonymous]

Unless the broken tiles are crumbly, I wouldn't worry too much. Those asbestos tiles are pretty indestructible. We decided to cover ours with vinyl planks to make the basement feel less cold and grungy. Carpet in a basement is asking for mold problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Called asbestos remediation company. Got every speck out

Sounds nice in theory but that creates dust and the dust is filled with asbestos...Some abatement companies are not that careful so this would put all of us in the house at risk with dust and bad air quality.

We did that before moving in. But I wouldn’t carpet over. Barrier and tile maybe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Called asbestos remediation company. Got every speck out

Sounds nice in theory but that creates dust and the dust is filled with asbestos...Some abatement companies are not that careful so this would put all of us in the house at risk with dust and bad air quality.

It’s their job to be careful. Use a reputable company and get it taken care of properly.

[Anonymous]

We used ACM; very by the book. But we used an independent company to give the all clear

[Anonymous]

I feel so relieved that any and all asbestos is gone. By the way, check that pink insulation

[Anonymous]

We used a floor leveler and Vinyl Plank on top. Much easier than removing.

[Anonymous]

I felt so much better knowing it was all
Out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We used a floor leveler and Vinyl Plank on top. Much easier than removing.

Is the floor leveler a cement product?

OP