Unknowingly removed probably asbestos tiles

stratford_noob

stratford_noob

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So, I've taken out click vinyl flooring that I wanted to replace in my house (from 70s) had bought some time ago. Was just a hall, and because it is part of an extension, most was rough concrete underneath, but also with small bit (roughly 90x180cm) had odd black tiles, that were sometimes shattered on some places. So I proceeded to remove them without any protection, as I'm not UK native and not aware of old building standards here.. But the tiles seemed odd (pretty thin). Came of nicely, sometimes shattering. Well, after work was done, I google what it is. And yeah, now I'm panicking what have I done.
I suppose the exposure was minimal, I've covered the area with dust sheet, but now I'm wondering what is the best way to proceed, jut pour the self levelling compound over it, or just burn the house down and move somehwere else?

looking at the pictures, I guess it was this http://www.2masbestos.co.uk/floor-tiles
 
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There’s a tiny amount, and ideally you could have wetted the floor first.
I wouldn’t worry about it
 
All as tigerclubrider above, the actual area and volume you have removed is in effect tiny.

Yes, these tiles contain a type of Asbestos, as does the Adhesive. But??

The "Asbestos" content is very small, it is NOT "Pure" Asbestos, the content is 0.5% to a Max of 3%.

The type of Asbestos is Chrysotyle, by fat the most benign of these materials.

Suggest if you are concerned check out "Chrysotyle" Or?

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/ab...estos-in-home-has-been-disturbed-not-realised

As an aside, many years ago, I can recall floor layers actually heating and laying these things on floors [generally] in office blocks??

Ken.
 
As above, nothing to overly worry about.
If you havent yet disposed of the tiles, they should be double bagged and disposed of responsibly (ask your local authority what to do, often they have a free, or cheap method of disposal).

It may also be worth sending a sample to be tested?
If it comes back positive, it confirms what you think. If it comes back negative, it will give you some relief for very little cost!

Yes, I would run self-levelling compound over the top and forget about it! :)
 
Thank you all. I'll pour Arditex NA over the mastic and then overcoat it with dpm. Now I need just mop the area and clean the vacuum, but at least I know what I'm dealing with.
Looks like I had dodged massive bullet here, as I planed sanding off ugly textured ceiling, and now I'm also learning it might contain asbestos. That would be certainly worse then the tiles.
 
Just a point about vacuums - domestic vacuums neatly redistribute asbestos fibres all over the place because the filtration is nowhere near fine enough to stop the fibres.

As far as other asbestos-containing materials go the best solution is always not to disturb, but to encapsulate. Never to cut, saw, break, sand or file it, and if you need to remove it wear coveralls which can be washed afterwards, wear a well fitting P3 mask and damp it down.

I've installed Asbestolux fire board in the past, which is always a bit of a worry as I apparently have some minor pleural scarring, but I did know someone who died from mesothelioma. This has made me a lot more cautious about dealing with it.
 
Do not use a vacuum, just a mop

The vacuum needs to have a specialised filter

Ken
 
KenGMac said:
Do not use a vacuum, just a mop

The vacuum needs to have a specialised filter

Ken
Click to expand...

I know, but I used it originally before I knew what I'm dealing with.. So now I need to clean it. Have just bought new Nilfisk Multi II...
 
You need class H for asbestos anything else isn’t suitable.
A wet and dry could work in wet mode I suppose, but a sopping floor cloth which is then thrown away (bagged) would be a safer bet
 
Tigercubrider said:
You need class H for asbestos anything else isn’t suitable.
A wet and dry could work in wet mode I suppose, but a sopping floor cloth which is then thrown away (bagged) would be a safer bet
Click to expand...
Yes, but how do you then decontaminate the vacuum? Very carefully, I'd say
 
Tigercubrider said:
You need class H for asbestos anything else isn’t suitable.
A wet and dry could work in wet mode I suppose, but a sopping floor cloth which is then thrown away (bagged) would be a safer bet
Click to expand...
I will not use the vacuum on it anymore, just need to clean it after first usage.
 
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