I'm currently renovating my floors and discovered some old tiles when I pulled up the previous flooring. These tiles are 9x9 in size, and I'm worried they might contain asbestos. Is it safe to just cover them up with the new flooring, or should I take any specific steps first? What are the best practices for dealing with this situation?
2 Answers
It’s possible that the tiles contain asbestos, but the only surefire way to know is by sending a sample off for testing. If you're concerned, don’t hesitate to take that step for peace of mind!
Most 9x9 tiles do often have asbestos in them, but it's generally okay to just lay new flooring over them if they’re in good condition. Just be mindful of the mastic used to glue them down too, as that can contain asbestos as well. However, if the tiles are crumbling or damaged, it might be safer to get a professional to handle the abatement.
That’s a common misconception! My own experience showed that not all 9x9 tiles contain asbestos. The inspector I had didn’t even seem concerned when testing mine, which makes me think they’re not as prevalent as many believe.