Asbestos in VCT; yes! again...
Hi there,
Yes! again...BUT, Yepp did read all the chat about the VCTs (VATs) and asbestos here...
I know already my VCTs are VATs in the kitchen and "multi functional room", because a complete box (and it's written there) with spare tiles came with the house. Here is a picture:
http://rockonstage.com/Eichler/Before/VCT_kitchen.jpg
If somebody is interested in owning them I be happy to let them go for the shipping costs.
I don't know about my VCTs in the bedrooms. This is the picture http://rockonstage.com/Eichler/Before/VCT_bedrooms.jpg and I was hoping somebody can identify them and let me know. They are 9x9 inch. Would be great to find out from that forum if I just can peel them off.
My house is designed by Oakland and was build in 1962 as one of the 3 houses in NY. Here is the floorplan: http://www.rockonstage.com/Eichler/Floorplan/floorplan_VC554_flipped.jpg
Thanks a lot!
Carl
I am no expert, but the 9x9 tiles you show in your second picture look like cork to me.
those are asbestos tiles.
Yep, I'd agree with dommi that those are almost certainly asbestos tiles. And, therefore, what you've read in previous posts regarding asbestos tiles and asbestos in the glue, applies.
At least in my tract/era, those tiles were made by Armstrong. I had almost exactly the same design pattern but in a grey/green tone. So:
- DO check with your county re: regulations on removal--they are likely to vary by state.
- DO get the most up-to-date info you can on safety precautions when removing and discarding the tiles.
- DO NOT allow a contractor who is not specifically licensed for asbestos removal to endanger your health and their's by allowing them to remove them "on the cheap".
Some will tell you the cautions on removal of VAT is an "asbestos scare tactic" to line the pockets of gov't, lawyers, and asbestos removal firms. I will tell you that the evidence is as conclusive as it gets and you don't want to risk your life or those of your family for the sake of a few $$s. This is a "CAUTION, HANDLE WITH CARE" issue--not a "ALL PEOPLE PLEASE EXIT THE BUILDING BUT REMAIN CALM".
However, you don't need to take any other homeowner's word for it--nor should you. Do your homework and make your own *informed* choice. No one can expect more.
Cheers.
Jake
Yes! again...BUT, Yepp did read all the chat about the VCTs (VATs) and asbestos here...
We recently moved into our house and immediately removed the think blue carpet to find tiles under it...
Our tiles looked different, so we took a couple of sample tiles (many of them didn't stick to the floor anymore) with some nice patches of the mastic and took them to Macs Lab in Santa Clara (http://www.macslab.com) for testing. It costs us $70 for both tests and in 24 hourse we had the results: which were - in our case - more than satisfying (the percentage of asbestos was so small, that special handling was not required - besides the normal protection from breathing in dust).
We now have brown concrete floors (yeah!)
Markus
Our tiles looked different, so we took a couple of sample tiles (many of them didn't stick to the floor anymore) with some nice patches of the mastic and took them to Macs Lab in Santa Clara (http://www.macslab.com) for testing. It costs us $70 for both tests and in 24 hourse we had the results: which were - in our case - more than satisfying (the percentage of asbestos was so small, that special handling was not required - besides the normal protection from breathing in dust).
We now have brown concrete floors (yeah!)
Markus
We decided against removing the VATs. They are in pretty good shape. Just in the outher areas some tiles are slightly damaged where they nailed in the wood bar with the nails to hook in the carpet. I will clean that wet to remove all the possible asbestos fibers and coat everything with epoxy just to be on the safe site. On top of that a subfloor and a carpet for the bedrooms.
However for the kitchen I will get rid of the VATs and consider concrete flooring depending on the condition of the existing floor.
Schoenen Gruss in's Valley!
Carlheinz
