Basement floor ideas after asbestos tile removal

[Dalingh]

Hello. I am looking to rehab my basement. I have contracted with a demolition contractor to come in and demo the existing, partially, finished basement. There is also 2000 sq ft worth of asbestos floor tiles that need to be removed. After this is completed I'd like to finish the concrete floor to make it a bit more aesthetically pleasing. This space will really only be used as a large play area for my children. I might setup a projector for movies.

I'm looking for some recommendations on how to move forward after the tiles are removed. I will be left with a bare, old, concrete floor. The floor is roughly 8" thick in some areas, I know this because we dug a sump pump not long ago, and it was a real pain in the ****. The home was built in the late 50's so the floor is OLD. It is in good shape though.

I'm looking for a cost effective, yet aesthetically pleasing option. What say you all? In total it is ~3,000 sq ft.

 

[bczygan]

Hello. I am looking to rehab my basement. I have contracted with a demolition contractor to come in and demo the existing, partially, finished basement. There is also 2000 sq ft worth of asbestos floor tiles that need to be removed. After this is completed I'd like to finish the concrete floor to make it a bit more aesthetically pleasing. This space will really only be used as a large play area for my children. I might setup a projector for movies.

I'm looking for some recommendations on how to move forward after the tiles are removed. I will be left with a bare, old, concrete floor. The floor is roughly 8" thick in some areas, I know this because we dug a sump pump not long ago, and it was a real pain in the ****. The home was built in the late 50's so the floor is OLD. It is in good shape though.

I'm looking for a cost effective, yet aesthetically pleasing option. What say you all? In total it is ~3,000 sq ft.

Sheet vinyl.

 

[The Cobbler]

I would look at Luxury Vinyl Plank . good stuff runs about $3.00 sqft plus install.

 

[Dalingh]

Would doing a coating/painting the floor not be advisable?

 

[Kaizen]

Your CELLAR is3000 sq ft??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bczygan]

Your CELLAR is3000 sq ft??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I once designed a 3000SF ranch with a full 3000SF basement. Not even a walkout.

Bill

 

[James-W]

These tiles work great for a kid's play area. I have some in my basement and the grandkids love it.

https://www.samsclub.com/sams/util-...24-x-24-8-tiles/107930.ip?xid=plp_product_1_5

 

[Kaizen]

I once designed a 3000SF ranch with a full 3000SF basement. Not even a walkout.



Bill

That’s like a 9 car garage. Crazy. That could house like 30 people comfortably. Dangggg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dalingh]

Your CELLAR is3000 sq ft??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, we have a large ranch style home. The basement is quite large.

 

[Kaizen]

Yes, we have a large ranch style home. The basement is quite large.

And it’s only going to be kids stuff? Man I’d be planning a wine cellar, workout room, sweat box, and all kinds of sections. If you want a single thin layer to pretty it up you could have gypsum pumped in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Roundhouse]

Yeah
I’d be installing a couple big doors and get some cars down there


How much is the asbestos remediation costing ?

That’s big money !

Assuming you’re having a certified trained asbestos removal contractor to do it with the negative pressure fans , double tent with De- contamination spray off area etc

 

[kngelv]

Hello. I am looking to rehab my basement. I have contracted with a demolition contractor to come in and demo the existing, partially, finished basement. There is also 2000 sq ft worth of asbestos floor tiles that need to be removed. After this is completed I'd like to finish the concrete floor to make it a bit more aesthetically pleasing. This space will really only be used as a large play area for my children. I might setup a projector for movies.

I'm looking for some recommendations on how to move forward after the tiles are removed. I will be left with a bare, old, concrete floor. The floor is roughly 8" thick in some areas, I know this because we dug a sump pump not long ago, and it was a real pain in the ****. The home was built in the late 50's so the floor is OLD. It is in good shape though.

I'm looking for a cost effective, yet aesthetically pleasing option. What say you all? In total it is ~3,000 sq ft.

Have you thought about just leveling the floor and then covering the old tiles with new flooring? Luxury vinyl plank would be ideal. The cost of removing and abating all that tile cannot be small. As long as you don’t disturb the tiles then there should be no issues when covering them.

James

 

[The Cobbler]

......
Assuming you’re having a certified trained asbestos removal contractor to do it with the negative pressure fans , double tent with De- contamination spray off area etc

I am certified here to remove VAT ( vinyl asbestos tile)
as long as you lift them by hand with a scraper, and don't use a machine, you don't need tents, fans, decontamination ,ppe.
VAT is considered non friable .
It has to be properly disposed of tho.

 

[Farmall450]

I would look at Luxury Vinyl Plank . good stuff runs about $3.00 sqft plus install.

Yeah, buy a shear and install it yourself.

 

[p_mori7]

I did my basement floor in Ceramic tile. I selected 2 different offsetting colors. Dark yellow and light-ish blue.

Looks good. Impervious to water damage. Easy to clean. Kids are all grown now, and 2 have moved out. Floor still looks great.

 

[Dalingh]

I am certified here to remove VAT ( vinyl asbestos tile)
as long as you lift them by hand with a scraper, and don't use a machine, you don't need tents, fans, decontamination ,ppe.
VAT is considered non friable .
It has to be properly disposed of tho.

This is correct, from the research that I have completed. Which leads me to this...

So demolition started yesterday, and much to my surprise, there was even more tile than we thought. After reviewing the condition of the tile, it is actually in great shape, albeit ugly. I decided to forgo the removal. Is this a bad idea? I'm telling myself that so long as it is not disturbed, it is not harmful... For the cost associated with removing, bagging, disposing, then re-finishing the floor, coating, etc. I can spend/save that money in much better ways...

As you can see in the pictures, one of the rooms had the tiles covered in carpet squares. Another had actual carpet. I am having the entire basement demo'd, so all that will be left is bare foundation walls and the exposed floor beams.

 

[pbon]

I’d get rid of it if it is affordable to do so. When you sell it maybe an issue for the buyer, whose lender may require it to be addressed. But no, if it’s in good shape and covered, it won’t kill your kids.

 

[The Cobbler]

hey, if it's in that good of shape strip it & re wax it. has a great retro look!

I have mixed feelings on asbestos encapsulation. I think asbestos will only become more of an issue, not less, so, if it is encapsulated it is fone for now, but what about down the road?
also, there is a very good chance the glue has asbestos in it too, so unless you get all that off....
no easy solution, in my opinion

 

[beech1948]

Can I ask. How do you know it has asbestos in the flooring. Has it been tested with a chemical asbestos detector. If not then these kits are available quite cheaply and test can be done by you with a small/tiny portion of the floor.

It looks like thermoplastic tiles from the 60's to me.

 

[The Cobbler]

it is tested under a microscope I believe, and to me it looks very 9x9 VAT from the 50's or 60's

 

[Tinkerman66]

hey, if it's in that good of shape strip it & re wax it. has a great retro look!

I agree, clean that stuff up and polish it!

 

[Kaizen]

i'd spend the money and get it out of there. Be done with it. While not harmful in present condition who knows with the future will bring. A buyer will talk you down at least what it costs to remove it. Do you really want to build on top of this tile?

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

Have you thought about just leveling the floor and then covering the old tiles with new flooring?



James

I agree, Asbestos tiles are completely harmless as long as you leave them be


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[p_mori7]

It looks cool !

I would clean it, strip any old wax off, give a good polishing and a rewax.

~Phil.

 

[Farmall450]

Can I ask. How do you know it has asbestos in the flooring. Has it been tested with a chemical asbestos detector. If not then these kits are available quite cheaply and test can be done by you with a small/tiny portion of the floor.

It looks like thermoplastic tiles from the 60's to me.

Looks like my middle school, to me!

 

[Farmall450]

It looks cool !

I would clean it, strip any old wax off, give a good polishing and a rewax.

~Phil.

Same. Less dangerous that disturbing them.

 

[Bert_]

I'm with the crowd of clean and wax what you have. Get a couple of rugs or carpet remnants for the play area's. It's also a lot easier to deal with if it ever gets wet.

 

[Kaizen]

If he does the carpets he can’t do wall to wall right? Do the tack strips count towards disturbing the asbestos?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dalingh]

The demo is continuing this week. Hoping to be done today. I have some contractors coming over this week to give me bids on rejuvenating the existing floors. Thanks for everyone's input. I will post progress pictures later today when I get home.

 

[pbon]

Don’t spend too much on rejuvenation. Those old asbestos tiles won’t get any younger. At best you delay the inevitable and take your loss when you sell rather than spend money now. I just sold a house that had knob and tube wiring and asbestos on pipes in the basement. I removed the asbestos myself and paid about $750 to have it properly disposed of. I paid an electrician $8000 to replace the wiring. Buyers, inspectors, lenders and insurers all consider environmental and safety issues, and there are more of them today and the older ones are even older.

 

[Dalingh]

Don’t spend too much on rejuvenation. Those old asbestos tiles won’t get any younger. At best you delay the inevitable and take your loss when you sell rather than spend money now. I just sold a house that had knob and tube wiring and asbestos on pipes in the basement. I removed the asbestos myself and paid about $750 to have it properly disposed of. I paid an electrician $8000 to replace the wiring. Buyers, inspectors, lenders and insurers all consider environmental and safety issues, and there are more of them today and the older ones are even older.

Good point. Appreciate your insight.

 

[pbon]

But I do agree with what others have said — that asbestos floor tile in good shape won’t hurt anyone. If you can afford it, I’d get rid of it. At least get an estimate. I lived in my house with the asbestos pipes and knob and tube wiring for 12 years and then I fixed those things not for my family but for the next family.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Would doing a coating/painting the floor not be advisable?

First, I have done TWO small (< 12x12) asbestos tile removal jobs, so I have some background.

Getting the tile off is the easy part. You can use a floor scraper or even a wide chisel and it should pop of in large pieces. Don't let the Safety Sally's scare you. Where a good dust mask and try to keep the pieces as large as possible. As long as there is no dust flying around you are safe. The pieces should be double bagged and can be disposed of with household trash. YES, ALL OF WHAT I SAID IS LEGAL FOR A HOMEOWNER ! (If you are a contractor, better do some research.)

DO NOT SWEEP ! Buy a HEPA filter for you shop vac and you are good !

The next problem is the glue they use to put that stuff down. During the 50s, 60 and probably into the 70s they a black adhesive that was called "cut back". It does contain some asbestos so you do NOT want to sand or grind it (if you try to sand or grind, it will gum up in seconds) ! The only adhesive remover that workers is Sentinel Formula 747. Follow directions. Apply to a small area (<4x4) let sit for 20-30 minutes. You may need a flexible scrapped to get the "chunks" off. Wipe up the residue before it dries with paper shop towels. You will use a million of them.

I did the whole floor twice, but it you are careful, once should be enough. It will leave some staining. I etched and applied epoxy. Holding up very well about 8 years later.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Cover it, it will be fine. Disturbing it if not needed makes it much worse.

We have sold many times in schools with full architect approvals our www.supratile.com loose laid over asbestos tile. If you really have concerns lay Tyvek over the floor which would prevent any asbestos fibers from penetrating, then lay your flooring over the Tyvek, this is what they did in the schools.

 

[pbon]

And those public (and nonprofit) schools have filed an asbestos management plan with the feds, appointed a person to oversee it, and do annual inspections. It’s the short term solution to avoid an expense not in the budget. For private homes (and private schools) the feds don’t require this, so you can cover up the asbestos tile and mastic if you want. I just would not spending a lot of money covering something up that will have to get ripped out later.

 

[Kaizen]

First, I have done TWO small (< 12x12) asbestos tile removal jobs, so I have some background.



Getting the tile off is the easy part. You can use a floor scraper or even a wide chisel and it should pop of in large pieces. Don't let the Safety Sally's scare you. Where a good dust mask and try to keep the pieces as large as possible. As long as there is no dust flying around you are safe. The pieces should be double bagged and can be disposed of with household trash. YES, ALL OF WHAT I SAID IS LEGAL FOR A HOMEOWNER ! (If you are a contractor, better do some research.)



DO NOT SWEEP ! Buy a HEPA filter for you shop vac and you are good !



The next problem is the glue they use to put that stuff down. During the 50s, 60 and probably into the 70s they a black adhesive that was called "cut back". It does contain some asbestos so you do NOT want to sand or grind it (if you try to sand or grind, it will gum up in seconds) ! The only adhesive remover that workers is Sentinel Formula 747. Follow directions. Apply to a small area (<4x4) let sit for 20-30 minutes. You may need a flexible scrapped to get the "chunks" off. Wipe up the residue before it dries with paper shop towels. You will use a million of them.



I did the whole floor twice, but it you are careful, once should be enough. It will leave some staining. I etched and applied epoxy. Holding up very well about 8 years later.

While I’m probably one of the more reckless and take a chance people here...in the house where my family lives and asbestos is a no go. Even with tiles that are not much of an issue. A newb would not be able to tell if it was getting airborne or other issues.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kngelv]

Ripping all that stuff out makes little sense if its mainly going to be a play area. Cover it with the flooring you like and get on with life.

James

 

[cupcakemike]

Theres likely a lot more asbestos in that house than the flooring. Chill out

I put floating LVT in my basement when i finished it. Was about $2.50/sqft and has a nice design with some groves in the backside so if any water gets underneath (as is known to happen in basements) it will channel it toward the floor drain.

 

[rlitman]

I agree, Asbestos tiles are completely harmless as long as you leave them be

Except in California. But the OP is in Kansas, so he'll be just fine.

Back to vinyl asbestos floor tile. The asbestos is already well encapsulated in the tile. What will release it is polishing it up, and normal wear and tear from foot traffic. Don't rejuvenate that floor if you think it is asbestos (and it sure looks like it to me). Just put an LVT floating vinyl floor over it, and call it a day.

Once you've covered it from foot traffic, no asbestos will ever escape from that tile. And your feet will thank you when they're walking on the padded LVT, as opposed to that vinyl directly on the slab.

First, I have done TWO small (< 12x12) asbestos tile removal jobs, so I have some background.

.... The pieces should be double bagged and can be disposed of with household trash. YES, ALL OF WHAT I SAID IS LEGAL FOR A HOMEOWNER ! (If you are a contractor, better do some research.)...

Whether or not it is legal to dispose of in the trash depends on where you live, but I'd be inclined to agree that asbestos tile should be ok double bagged at the curb. By me, I can dispose of asbestos insulation several times a year for free, and even that just needs to be double bagged.

 

[pbon]

In some places you can dispose of at least some asbestos containing material at the town dump, but yes, laws vary by local jurisdiction and it usually must be double bagged. The floor tile is not a dusty ACM. I would not be concerned about removing it myself. It’s the mastic underneathtgat I would want to be careful about if it is ACM. I would not sand or grind it off unless there was no other option, in which case I would want a good respirator and would wet it down and plastic the other 5 surfaces of the work area. Pipe insulation is much messier. I have done that before.