Asbestos is a major issue for homeowners and one that you never want to take on without a professional. The material, used intensely between the 1920s and 1970s, is known to cause mesothelioma.
Your home might have asbestos if it was built during or before these years.
Additionally, two main types of flooring made with asbestos during this period are:
- Asphalt asbestos tile
- Vinyl flooring
Tiles were manufactured from the 20s to the 60s, while vinyl flooring was used
between the 30s and 70s. What should you do if you find asbestos in your floors?
What to Do if You Find Asbestos in Your Floors
If you find asbestos in your flooring, do not attempt to cover or remove them yourself. Exposure to asbestos fibers, even for a brief period of time, can lead to serious health issues, including mesothelioma.
Asbestos should only be handled by licensed abatement professionals. Never DIY asbestos removal. It is not worth the risk.
Identifying asbestos can also be tricky and isn’t something that homeowners should do on their own. The only surefire way to determine whether you have asbestos in your floors is to have samples tested by a professional.
Call in the Pros – How Simple Flooring Can Help
We work on older homes a lot. The atmosphere and appeal of these homes make them a joy to work in. And the homes are built very well. However, despite the home having amazing “bones,” there may be a hidden threat of asbestos in the ceiling, floors and insulation.
We often work in older homes that have asbestos linoleum or tiles.
If our team suspects that you have asbestos, we go through a rigorous process to verify the presence of asbestos. The process looks something like this:
- A piece of the flooring has to besent to the lab
- The test comes back, and we take action
When the test is negative, we can get back to installing your new flooring. However, when the test is positive, we’re left with two main options:
- Find an asbestos removal company to remove them
- Utilize sealant to keep the asbestos in place and put a floating floor on top of it
In most cases, a floating floor is an optimal choice because it doesn’t disturb the asbestos. The material is covered with the new floating floor and doesn’t pose a risk to your family. However, if a professional removal company needs to remove the material, it’s a very expensive process.
Simple Flooring team can help you determine if the asbestos removal may be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy.
In some cases, the insurer will pay for the complete asbestos removal. If they will not pay for removal, sealing the floor and placing a floating floor on top is a cost-effective option.
A Word About Our Simple Flooring Installers
Our installers are trained and certified to determine whether your floor may have asbestos and can always give you a free advice
Why Asbestos Flooring is a Danger to Your Health
When asbestos is damaged or disturbed, it can release fibers into the air that can be inhaled or ingested. These fibers can lodge or settle into your organs, which leads to irritation. Eventually, that irritation can lead to severe health issues, including:
- Pleural thickening
- Asbestosis
- Pleural plaques
In severe cases, exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, an aggressive, deadly disease.
The only way to avoid these conditions is to avoid exposure to asbestos.
How Professionals Handle Asbestos
If asbestos is found in your flooring, professionals can either remove the asbestos or encapsulate/cover the flooring. A professional can determine which approach will be the best option.
The first step is to perform an inspection and take samples to check whether asbestos is present. From here, a professional can determine whether removal is the best option or if the flooring should be covered/encapsulated.
- If the flooring is still in good condition, encapsulation may be the ideal option. The asbestos flooring is covered with new flooring to prevent it from becoming airborne. Drywall may be added over the tiles to encapsulate them.
- If the flooring is in poor condition, removal may be the only practical option. Removal should only be handled by a professional.
Encapsulation or covering the flooring can help prevent disturbance or damage that can make the asbestos airborne.
Some states prohibit the removal of asbestos flooring, so your local laws may also play a role in the professional’s decision.
Asbestos flooring is never a material that you want to remove on your own. Instead, work with a professional removal company certified in the removal of the flooring. However, for the more cost-effective option, Simple Flooring can seal your flooring and put a beautiful, sturdy floating floor on top of the asbestos.
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