asbestos testing?

[pitterwoo]

Getting ready to remove our old kitchen floors.  Demo day is approaching.

Today we cut a sample section out.  This is our flooring from top to bottom:
90s vinyl (removed a while ago)
plywood subfloor (currently painted)
red brick pattern vinyl with light colored adhesive (70s??)
plywood subfloor
subtle white and off white sparkly vinyl with a black paper backing (60s??)
plywood again
oak floors

At first I was relieved to not run into the more typical asbestos tiles and black mastic that I was expecting and now google is telling me asbestos could be in pretty much any of it.

At this point I have no idea what's safe.  It's coming out, it's just a matter of how crazy I have to be with precautions.  I'm looking into sending away for testing now.  Has anyone done that?  Any suggestions?

[pitterwoo]

I just can't gauge accurately how concerned I should be. We'll try to keep the tile from breaking up too much, but since we have 3 layers of floor and plywood to get through I think the sawing could create unsafe dust. But maybe it's not going to be that bad.  

I'm hoping to find a place to test samples and maybe we'll get really lucky and not have any asbestos at all.

[wawa]

Jun 30, 2013 19:42:55 GMT -5 pitterwoo said:

I just can't gauge accurately how concerned I should be. We'll try to keep the tile from breaking up too much, but since we have 3 layers of floor and plywood to get through I think the sawing could create unsafe dust. But maybe it's not going to be that bad.  

I'm hoping to find a place to test samples and maybe we'll get really lucky and not have any asbestos at all.

If it comes back positive and you want to take precautions - Buy a real mask rated for asbestos sized particles (they're online and they aren't that expensive) and one of those spray pump tank thingies designed for yard chemicals.  Fill tank with slightly soapy water, and just lightly spray everything down as you demo so there's no airborne dust.  Don't track the resulting mess through the rest of your house and damp mop rather than sweeping when you clean it all up.  

If you're worried and want to go whole hog - plastic sheeting is cheap, so just go nuts cordoning off the rest of the house.  And pick up a moon suit, booties and gloves when you buy your mask.  We got these: www.pksafety.com/asbestos-removal-professional-kit.html

Double bag debris and seal bags with duct tape.

[downtoearth]

Yup, you need a HEPA filter on at least a half-face respirator. Make sure it fits well. It will get the dust and any particles and as the pp said - water to alleviate dust is also great. I would use that respirator mask for most sawzall action anyway. You can actually have asbestos in older skim coats on drywall also.

Oh and most states only have regulations for contractors who encounter asbestos (we may see more in the future, and check with your local City/County b/c some have building permit issues that deal with asbestos and home improvements). Homeowners are at their own risk when doing their own work. It's best to know what you have and where you can dispose, but you're pretty well covered if you just assume it's asbestos and wear the mask, use water, and clean-up well after (all while using the HEPA respirator).  Most major landfills can take small amounts of house waste with some asbestos, only a few will have you sign a wavier or provide a sample if you believe it is asbestos. This is a good website (not your area, but good info) if you want to check it out:
deq.mt.gov/Asbestos/hmowner.mcpx

[pitterwoo]

we have a lot of HEPA stuff, so I'm gearing up to use all that. In the meantime I found a lab to mail my samples to. We just really want to know since it's so many layers over the whole floor.

I'm going to pack my samples up tonight for this place:link