Removing 60's vinyl tile & adhesive

[TomR1972]

I've been using a putty knife and hammer to pop up this old vinyl tile, however there is a black sticky adhesive under the tiles. My question is what can I use to get that off? In order for me to put down ceramic tile later I would like to get most if not all of that black adhesive off. Anyone with advice and know how on this subject? Your input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Tom R

[bbcamp]

A 4" razor scraper will do it. There may be a stand-up model available. Get it and save your back and knees for the tile work.

[TomR1972]

Would you know if that old black adhesive has a good chance of containing asbestos? This was put in when the house was built in 1967, I am pretty sure of the tiles having asbestos so i've been trying to keep the breakage to a minimum.

Thanks,

Tom R

[bbcamp]

Prpbaly does have asbestos in it. The adhesive keeps it from getting airborne, though. In asbestos abatement circles, that's called "encapsulation."

Not a hazard unless you try sand it off.

[sandbagger]

if you really want to know about the asbestos you can probably find a local place that will test for a few bucks - shouldn't be much as it's a simple test. or I've heard of mail-in labs - search the internet.

as Bob said the danger is in the dust. some folks like to keep a water spray bottle handy so they can keep the area they're working wet as an added precaution.

[Rd Tile]

I assume this is over a slab, if so, and it's flat and no cracks, just chisle up any thick spots and go over it with a good modified thinset, Flexbond from HD works fine over cutback adhesive, do it all the time.

[TomR1972]

Rd thanks for that as well, let me make sure i understand what you are saying. Pull up the tile I have make sure I have no cracks or high spots underneath and then use the flexbond which I have a bag of to adhere the new tile. Am I close? LOL

Thanks,

Tom R

[Rd Tile]

Very close, yes, just make sure all the tile is up, they usually just pop up once smacked with a hammer, spray everything with a spray bottle of water while working.

[opiethetileman]

Heres a trick i learned when tearing up thoose floors. I go and get unsanded thinset or white unsanded grout sprikle it on the floor then sweep it around and woudlnt ya know you dont stick to any thing anymore.

[XxDustin82xX]

I use a roofing shovel the kind to remove shingles it works great for just about every tear out

[TomR1972]

Is it worth trying to remove that black adhesive? If it doesnt matter and I choose to do it what should i use? Also can I be directed to a thread on how to lay down tile evenly. What is the theory behind making sure your tile lines up right and is square to the room? The room I am working with is a family room that is one big room that opens to another small area that takes you to the garage which also takes you into a laundry room and bathroom. So when you deal with a room where it bleeds into other areas like this how do you go about figuring where/how you want to lay your tile? Thanks for putting up with this newbie!!

Another question ..ooops i want to use tile as my baseboard would it look uglly to use the same tile as the floor for the baseboard? I want to do this since I have many dogs and want to keep the floor as sealed as I can in event of messes and much cleaning!!

Thanks,
Tom R

[chukar8]

if the tiles are 9"x9" they most likley contain asbestos, if they contain asbestos then the adhesive as well probably does.

You guys need to be careful youre giving people advice on removing products containing asbestos, which by the way is not a good thing (know youre products before advising)

There are other options besides removal in some cases.

[cx]

The guys seem to have made a point about not making dust during the removal, Bryan, which eliminates the only hazard I know of from asbestos.

your point about being aware of what material you might be removing is well taken, but some of us simply don't subscribe to the unreasonable fear of asbestos promoted by our government. There is nothing sinister about asbestos, it just wants reasonable caution in its handling.

We, of course, don't suggest that our visitors violate any regulations governing the handling and disposal of the products, just that they apply some common sense and reasonable caution in all phases of their remodeling projects.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[chukar8]

Point taken cx, but theres more to removing asbestos than spraying water on it, there is disposal etc which carries with it big fines if not done by the rules.
I also dont think it is dangerous when handled properly, PROPERLY being the key word.
btw: ingestion causes problems also, so its not only dangerous when airborne keep it off youre clothes, hands etc.

respectfully,

[TomR1972]

Just was curious if it was a real pain in the butt to remove that black adhesive and if its even worth that hastle. I'll more than likely just go over it with flexbond to adhere my new ceramic tiles to. I try to be as safe as I can when working with what might be asbestos. I have three options get men in space suites with futuristic devices for 10,000.00 or more to remove it, leave it, or take it out myself. Considering Asbestos is also a naturally occuring substance in the ground I figure if I am careful removing it I'll be good to go. I am taking a risk and I realize that but I feel I am also taking a risk leaving it in my house for over 40 years. I'd just soon have kids, knowing that the house has been revamped and is much safer than it was when I grew up in it.

Back to the other questions with a room that bleeds into other shapes for the laundry and bathroom how do you go about figuring where your cuts on tile will be ..do you just lay out the tile with what fits best and makes the most sense? How do I make sure that the tile is actually running straight if or if i dont have square room.


Thanks and once again sorry for upsetting anyone with the asbestos issue.

Tom R