Although banned from manufacturing in the 1970s, asbestos-laden floors were sold well into the 1980s. Sheets made with asbestos weren’t officially taken off of the market until there was none left to put on it. So if your flooring, particularly if it’s vinyl, dates back to the late 70s or early 80s, you may want to have it tested before you start ripping it up in preparation for the new floor.

If it tests positive, you have to be careful in how you get rid of it. Using a power saw or sander would send too much of the chemical into the air, creating a pollutant and a health hazard. You can, however, hand scrape the flooring, as this method would produce a minimal amount of breakage and thus a minimal amount of asbestos fibers. If you choose to do this, seal the debris in puncture-proof containers and dispose of it at an appropriate landfill. 

If you would rather not hand scrape, consider placing a new floor directly over the old floor. An underlayment between the two layers will make the installation easy, especially if you talk with a professional installer who knows how to handle flooring problems with ease and a minimal amount of trouble.

Your floor’s past doesn’t have to ruin the future, so long as you plan ahead and act with intelligence.

Be safe and enjoy your new floor!

Joe

Austin TX Pflugerfille, Texas parks and recreation | Lakewood Real Estate