| Author |
Message |
    
Thomas Cristello
Citizen
Username: Drcristello
Post Number: 3
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - 5:52 pm: | 
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I am removing carpeting from some floors to refinish them. Under one carpet, I found very old linoleum with a black tarry substance, and under that the wood floors.
Do I need to be concerned about asbestos when removing the linoleum?
What is the best way to remove linoleum? |
ttwizard
Citizen
Username: Ttwizard
Post Number: 36
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - 6:30 pm: |
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I can't comment on whether the black tarry substance is carcinogenic. I had the very same problem when I removed an old carpet and several layers of linoleum when we purchased our home. What I can say is not to try to pull up the tarry substance and leave it to be sanded when you are refinishing your floor. I would pose your asbestos concern to a flooring pro.
I used Claudio Russo. He worked wonders on my floors. No traces of the black tarry substance and no dust whatsover; that's the big concern when it comes to asbestos.
Claudio's number is 973-418-2417. Tell him Jason from South Orange gave you the number. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12537
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - 6:56 pm: |
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What size are the tiles? If they are nine inches by nine inches they are almost certainly asbestos. Also, a lot of the mastic (the black stuff)used with this type of tile has asbestos in its formula.
Asbestos is only a health hazard when it is broken up into dust (fryable). Sanding is probably the worst thing you can do, even with a HEPA filter, which I kind of doubt is included on a floor sanding machine.
I really don't have an answer, but I would suggest calling Bob Rowe at the Maplewood Health Department. I don't know him, but other posters here have indicated he is very knowledgeable and willing to share his knowledge.
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JC
Citizen
Username: Demolitionman
Post Number: 55
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - 7:35 pm: |
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www.claytondemo.biz |
justmelaura
Citizen
Username: Justmelaura
Post Number: 1111
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 3:41 am: |
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I am in the process of removing that horrible black goo myself in my kitchen. I have not so wonderful woodfloors underneath, so I am going to paint the floors with porch paint. Thanks for the info! |
Thomas Cristello
Citizen
Username: Drcristello
Post Number: 4
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 7:49 am: |
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Thanks everyone for the input.
Bob K. you mentioned that the square tiles may contain asbestos, the floor in question is just a big flat sheet. Does that mean anything?
Tom |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12539
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 8:15 am: |
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It depends on how old the sheet vinyl is. A friends first job out of college in the mid 1960s was as a salesman for Congoleum. Part of his sales pitch was to bend the vinyl and say, "note the creamy white asbestos backing". 
Again, I would talk to the Health Department before removing the mastic, especially by sanding. I don't mean to sound alarmist about this. I personally feel that the asbestos hazard is overblown. However, better safe than sorry. |
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