How can I safely encapsulate asbestos tiles in my basement to ensure they are secure and contained for the long term?
Asked by Olivia Bélanger 
3 months ago
Last Updated: August 15, 2024
I recently discovered asbestos tiles under the carpet in my basement while fixing a leak. It wasn’t the best news to receive, but we’ve removed the carpet and are now looking into options for the flooring. Instead of removing the tiles and causing dust to spread everywhere, we’re considering encasing them with a leveler or similar material. Do you have any suggestions for safely sealing and containing the asbestos? We want to make sure the tiles are securely held in place and sealed for the long run. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
As long as you’re not lifting them up and creating a dusty mess, they shouldn’t cause harm. What kind of flooring are you planning to install?
Have you had those tiles and mastic tested or are you just guessing? I wouldn’t recommend installing hard flooring over soft linoleum tiles. Linoleum becomes soft when pressure is applied with hard objects on top. Is there a specific reason you want to raise the floor height unnecessarily?