Asbestos Tile

Basically, asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous substance. It consists of a chain of silicate minerals which can easily mix up with any other material like cement, vinyl asphalt, rubber, etc. It has a high tensile strength and excellent insulating properties. For all these amazing qualities, it was being used commercially in the manufacture of floor and ceiling tiles to make them durable. Moreover, it was considered safe for homes, as it is fireproof and a good electrical insulator. The use of these tiles began in 1940s and continued till 1970s. Then its carcinogenic effects were discovered and production of asbestos tiles was stopped.

Asbestos Tile Risks

There is no danger from asbestos tile as long as it is in a good condition. However, a fragmented or cracked tile releases plenty of tiny asbestos fibers into the air which are harmful for human health. When these fibers are inhaled or swallowed it can cause severe harm to the respiratory organs. They stick to the lining of the lungs for several years, which may lead to a number of serious ailments. Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease that scars the lungs with fibrous tissue, resulting in severe breathing difficulty. Lung cancer may develop due to asbestos exposure for a long period of time. It increases the risk of another form of cancer known as mesothelioma that affects the protective lining of chest wall, abdominal cavity and various internal organs like lungs and heart.

How to Remove Asbestos Tiles

Asbestos floor tiles are found in old buildings that were built before 1980s. If you are living in such a building, and not sure whether the tiles in your home are asbestos or not, then you have to hire professional asbestos inspector for identifying asbestos tile. These inspectors collect samples of tiles from your home and send it to an EPA (Environment Protection Authority) approved laboratory for analysis. If the test result is positive, then you have to opt for removal.

When planning for removing asbestos tile on your own, then you have to take care of your safety first. You should protect yourself from exposure to asbestos fibers, with the help of appropriate protective gear. It includes clothes that cover your entire body, gloves, goggles and respirator mask.

You should use hand tools like metal putty knife and hammer instead of any power tools, in order to prevent asbestos dust from flying all over the work area. Other materials that are needed for this job are amended water, large sized disposable bags and boxes and duct tape. If you are removing asbestos ceiling tiles, then you will need a ladder too.

Remove all movable objects from the room. Other things in the room including windows and vents should be properly covered with large sized polythene sheets so that the loose fibers do not come in direct contact with them. Switch off the air conditioners or heaters inside the room, to minimize circulation of asbestos fibers.

Apply amended water on the tile surface so that they become thoroughly wet. This water will loosen up the bond between the tile and the adhesive. Thus asbestos floor tile removal will become easier. Place a putty knife on the edge of a tile and hit it gently with a hammer so that the tile pops out in one whole piece. Follow the same technique for removing all the tiles. You have to follow the same removal tips for taking out the tiles from the ceiling as well.

After completion of removal, the work area needs a thorough cleaning. All the tile debris has to be disposed off safely. Put tile chunks in large waste boxes, seal them up and label them as hazardous. Similarly, clothing that you were wearing, disposable equipment and any other material that was exposed to dust should be packed in a bag and labeled. You cannot throw them in a garbage bin near your house. Environment Protection Authority (EPA) have ascertained designated areas for disposal of asbestos materials, and you have to dump the debris there.

To avoid asbestos tile dangers, you can hire professionals for this job. In fact, in some areas you may be fined by local authorities for carrying out the task of asbestos removal on your own. The charges for this service are quite high. A roughly estimated removal cost could be around $2 per square foot of the work area.