How can we safely handle asbestos mastic adhesive material found under old ceramic tile during renovation to protect our family?
Hey there! So, we recently ripped up some old ceramic tile and found this black material underneath that we think might be asbestos mastic adhesive. It seems like there was another layer of tile underneath that was torn up and the previous owner just put the ceramic tile on top of it. We’re a bit worried because it did come up with the mortar, so we think it might have been disturbed. 🥴 There’s so much conflicting information out there about the effects of one-time exposures to asbestos. Any insights to help calm my nerves would be greatly appreciated!
Our plan is to seal it with “perfect primer” before we install the new floor, and right now we have plastic covering it. Any other suggestions on how to protect our family would be really helpful too!
Thanks a bunch!
Best way to know for sure is to have professionals come and test it. The main concern is usually asbestos in tiles or flooring, not so much in the glue. Better safe than sorry, especially in older homes.
Actually, many adhesives used to contain asbestos, which is unfortunate.
I wasn’t sure if the levels in that material required professional removal either. Some asbestos-containing materials can be managed without a complete remediation process.
Asbestos can be found in everything from wallpaper glue to drywall mud. Just be cautious, but a few DIY projects shouldn’t pose a significant risk.
It’s highly unlikely for the mastic to contain asbestos. The most common type of lung cancer caused by asbestos takes 10-20 years to develop. If there’s any concern, tile over the mastic to prevent dust from getting airborne.
Ary Aldrich actually, I work for a company that conducts surveys and tests for asbestos. Mastic is a common product that used asbestos, so it’s important not to remove it on your own to prevent potential contamination. It’s best to have it tested and if positive, hire a licensed company to safely remove it and provide a certificate confirming proper handling.
If you want to dive deep, check out a website called https://inspectapedia.com/index.php which has a wealth of information on asbestos. You can also buy or rent a negative air machine/ air scrubber, and set up zip walls for added safety. I got one from Craigslist for mold remediation in our new house, then sold it after the job was done. Later, I bought a smaller one from Amazon for around $500.
For some peace of mind, you can purchase an inexpensive testing kit. I used one to check attic insulation, it was a breeze.
Asbestos only becomes harmful when it’s in dust form.
Asbestos is still used today and is present everywhere.
Brief exposure with minimal contact isn’t extremely dangerous.
There are safe thresholds for asbestos exposure.
Scraping off dry popcorn ceiling or drywall with asbestos is risky.
Removing old steam pipe insulation is highly hazardous.
Although not recommended, the level of asbestos you were exposed to, in my humble opinion, is not dangerous.
Exactly. I’ve been a firefighter for 40 years and have been exposed to a lot of asbestos. I don’t personally know anyone who has suffered ill effects. I’m not saying it’s safe, just stating the facts. Cover the area with 1/4″ Hardy backer board, secure it with Thinset and screws. You should consider removing the cabinets and installing the Hardy board underneath them.
You did your best, but sorry for the bad joke – I grew up in a town known as “Asbestos City” where that was the tagline for sports events before they realized how dangerous asbestos was.
Just a heads up:
1. You’ll be alright. Unless you’re planning to work with asbestos regularly, you’re unlikely to develop any related diseases suddenly.
2. To confirm if it contains asbestos, send a sample to a lab for testing. Amazon has many options, or you can look for testing facilities nearby.
3. Treat it as if it were asbestos for now and avoid disturbing it.
4. The fear people have about asbestos is often exaggerated. One-time exposure like this won’t harm you much. As a matter of fact, asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral present in small amounts everywhere. You unknowingly breathe in trace amounts of it daily.
I had similar-looking mastic, but it tested negative for asbestos. I used a non-toxic adhesive remover instead. Sanding could release asbestos fibers into the air, which is the worst-case scenario.
Hi , I’m a certified asbestos abatement contractor. To ease your worries, consider having an indoor environmental professional or industrial hygienist inspect your property for asbestos. They’ll take samples to determine if there’s asbestos and assess any potential exposure risks. Remember that asbestos fibers can linger in the air and pose health risks even after a one-time disturbance. The primary diseases associated with asbestos exposure include asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, with varying latency periods. It’s best to remove asbestos if found, but encapsulation is an option if done properly. Start with an inspection to understand the situation better. ood luck!
Hired a professional to make various repairs in my home, including roof, siding, and floor work, and ended up spending $8750. Despite the extensive work, no asbestos was found after the place was thoroughly gutted and renovated.
The information you shared is truly invaluable – Thank you 👌🏆. I lived in a vintage home in Fullerton, California, built in 1938, where asbestos was removed during HVAC work in 2008. Your insights make me reflect on potential exposure risks, especially given my ex-husband’s health issues.
That’s a very clear and practical explanation with helpful details. So, if a professional finds asbestos in a home from the 1940s-1970s, is it reported to the city or county in any way?
It’s actually called perfect primer and is specifically designed for this purpose. Hopefully, it’s being marketed accurately.
That’s a great question. The regulations on asbestos removal can vary depending on the local government, whether it’s city, county, or state-driven. The EPA does not oversee asbestos in single-family residential buildings, but most real estate transactions would require disclosure of hazardous materials.
Maybe consider getting some air purifiers to ease your mind while you figure out what to do next – whether it’s testing, removal, or sealing. Having them around could help remove any asbestos from the air and give you peace of mind.
Cut a piece and have it tested, in my opinion it seems too small for concern
Encourage the team! 2-4-6-8! o team! Rah! Rah! Rah!
Reat response! The so-called “professionals” would probably prefer to remove it in hazmat suits and tiny bags for thousands of dollars. Just seal it up and move forward!
Absolutely not.
Placing a surface over it is more like enclosure than encapsulation. It was done previously with the new tile. However, since the tile was removed, there’s uncertainty regarding the correct approach. It’s unknown if it’s ACM or friable, but it has been exposed and disturbed, so addressing and cleaning the environment, not just covering the floor, is crucial.
However, the remediation crew was planning on encapsulating it for $1000, but there’s a primer for $250 that can do the job as well.
– but the word “encapsulation” is kind of like the word “orange” – it doesn’t really rhyme with anything. That totally messes up my little cheer. 😄
Should we be concerned about the age of the property and the potential presence of asbestos?
Yes, , the house was constructed in 1952.
Asbestos was commonly used in building materials between 1948 and 1979, but it is still being used today. We recently found asbestos in samples from a brand new house built in 2022.
Not entirely sure about the correct method, but I usually seal interior doors with plastic, use a fan to blow air out the window, clean the floor with a hepa respirator, and then install new flooring on top.
Forget about it once sealed! Apply 2 coats of oil-based primer like Kilz or Coverstain, then proceed with your desired flooring. Avoid unnecessary expenses on abatement.
I’m not sure if you should have continued tearing up the floor without knowing the risks. I recommend getting it tested now so you can be aware of what you were exposed to during the job.
I didn’t realize until after we had already ripped up all the tile that it wasn’t asbestos tiles. It was actually under the newer tile that we removed. It seems like someone had removed the asbestos tiles before and just left the mastic behind before installing the new floor. At this point, I think our only option is to encapsulate and thoroughly clean the house. I’m thinking of having someone come out to test the dust after I clean up, for around $200. Just looking for some advice on how to move forward.
We did the same thing as . After having a check done by the central heating guys, we ended up ripping up the flooring that had been leveled, only to find another set of tiles underneath 2/3 of the way across the floor. We removed the mess, wearing full masks and paper suits, cleaned up the dust, leveled and sealed it, and then laid down new flooring.
Consider purchasing a test kit from Amazon to check for asbestos. The danger lies in the asbestos fibers becoming airborne and causing harm when inhaled.
Are you considering asbestos remediation? When selling a house, one must disclose any asbestos use and whether remediation has been completed.
Honestly, the remediation folks mentioned they’d encapsulate it for $1000, but there’s also a special paint known as perfect primer that achieves the same result.
I actually discovered that this is not true, depending on the state regulations.
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It really depends on your age and the risks involved. Sure, there could be potential health issues from asbestos exposure, but they are rare. It’s all about weighing the risks versus the rewards, even if it means spending a bit more money. It’s not like you’re doing this every day, right?
I was exposed to a lot of asbestos starting in the early 70s, but I’m fine so far. I think the risks are exaggerated. Chronic exposure to concentrated airborne particles can lead to illness, but occasional contact isn’t a big concern.
The danger of asbestos is definitely not over hyped. I’ve seen first-hand how people can get sick from asbestos related cancer, known as mesothelioma, even while it’s being removed at the workplace.
Did you hear about from that one time she was exposed?
I used to work on rebuilding boilers for years and removed a lot of asbestos without wearing a mask. Now I work in construction in a blue zone, and I’m turning 70 soon. Hopefully I’m immune. *knocks on wood*
We had a similar situation in our basement and we assumed it was asbestos. We used Citrustrip gel to coat it, then scraped it up with a heavy-duty scraper and disposed of it. After doing some research, we found that this method was effective. We finished by painting and sealing it with garage floor epoxy.
Seriously, all this fear and worry is unnecessary. Tile is a great and affordable option. Invest in good quality tile, apply cement over it, and vacuum before installation. Avoid luxury vinyl plank (LVP) as it’s not as durable as tile with black grout.
It’s nice to see a medical professional sharing advice on a DIY site. Just be cautious about asbestos. I have firsthand experience with the dangers of asbestos-related diseases like Asbestosis and Mesothelioma, so I would take your advice with a grain of salt.
Has already been taken care of! She asked what to do next. I just suggested covering it with high-quality tiles. LVP is not great and doesn’t look as clean as tile.
I would definitely choose LVP over tile. It’s easy to install and easy to remove.
You’re living in the momentary while I’m in the long-term. Head to a luxury hotel…you won’t find low-quality tile there. Your home deserves the best, and high-quality tile is within reach. Remember, what’s convenient isn’t always the best choice.
I suppose you haven’t had any family members pass away from asbestosis with spider foam insulation.
The is still there, we can see traces of it. Asbestos is incredibly dangerous, how do you not realize that? I personally know people who have passed away after being exposed to it during removal at their jobs.
Honestly, it’s not really necessary to get it tested now that it’s already done. Chances are you’re fine, especially if the asbestos isn’t airborne. Unless you used a sander, there isn’t much to worry about from this one-time exposure.
I’ve been a flooring contractor for 45 years, and did abatement for a couple of years. That’s definitely cutback glue, which contains asbestos. Just wanted to share that with you!
Can you let me know the measurements of the tiles? If they were 8 square inches then chances are it contains asbestos mastic. But don’t worry too much if it’s not dry and powdery since the asbestos is encapsulated in the glue.
If it were me, I’d cover the area with plastic and tape it up until you figure out the next steps. Seal all seams completely with tape and consider placing plywood over it for the time being.
Just a reminder to prioritize your health and safety above all else. ‘t take any chances, regardless of what others may say. Your well-being and that of your family should always come first. Best wishes to you!
Asbestos can be really dangerous, especially if it gets disturbed. You usually find asbestos in tiles, but it might also be in the adhesive. If removing it is too expensive, you can encapsulate it by covering it with something else. To be safe, consider getting an asbestos test done. You can even do it yourself and send it to a lab for results.