I recently removed the old carpet from my basement and discovered some 9x9 tiles underneath. My house was built in the mid-50s. While tearing out the carpet, a few small pieces of the tile came loose, revealing some black material underneath. It's not a significant area—only about 5-6 inches along the edges—and the rest of the tiles seem solid. I went ahead and installed laminate flooring over it, sealing everything up. Now, I'm worried—could that black material contain asbestos, and am I still at risk? Did sealing it up make things safer?
3 Answers
As far as I know, sealing in asbestos like you've done is generally an acceptable approach. The floor is actually safer now than before you installed the laminate, so it seems like you handled it the right way.
I’ve been in a similar spot! I wonder if it's fine to add self-leveling compound on top of those asbestos tiles if you notice any unevenness.
Honestly, you shouldn't be too worried about it. Since everything is sealed now and the tiles weren't friable, you're probably in a good place. Just monitor for any issues, but it sounds like you're fine!