Floor tile removal sounds like the easy part of an interior demolition, and when the tile tests clean it usually is. The trouble starts when someone rents a floor grinder for a building from the 1970s without testing first. One of our principal's largest jobs was the full interior demolition of a commercial business park of about a million square feet, which included asbestos floor tile removal, so this is a part of the work we take seriously.
Know what you have
Signs your floor tile could contain asbestos
| Item | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 9 inch by 9 inch tiles | This size is often associated with older tile made when asbestos was common. | Treat it as suspect and test it. |
| Tile installed before 1981 | Federal safety rules presume vinyl and asphalt flooring from that era contains asbestos. | Test it, or handle it as asbestos. |
| Black mastic underneath | Older black adhesive, often called cutback, can contain asbestos even when the tile on top doesn't. | Sample the mastic separately from the tile. |
| Several layers | Newer tile is sometimes laid right over older tile, so the bottom layer can be decades older than the top. | Sample every layer, not just the one you can see. |
| Newer 12 inch tile | Less likely to contain asbestos, but age alone doesn't prove anything. | Testing is cheap compared to getting it wrong. |
Only a lab test can confirm asbestos. A licensed asbestos consultant or surveyor takes the samples.
The rules
What the regulations actually require
Intact tile is lower risk
Floor tile in good condition holds its fibers in. The risk comes from sanding, grinding, cutting or breaking it up, which is exactly what careless removal does.
How it has to come up
Federal safety rules for asbestos flooring prohibit sanding and dry sweeping, require wet methods for scraping adhesive, and call for tiles to be removed intact when possible, with HEPA vacuums for cleanup.
Who can remove it
In Florida, removing asbestos-containing material is work for a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. Clean tile can be removed by a regular demolition crew.
Notices on commercial jobs
When removal in a commercial building will disturb enough regulated material, roughly 160 square feet or more, a notice goes to the county asbestos program before work starts.
Paperwork to keep
The lab results, the abatement contractor's records and the disposal paperwork. Landlords, buyers and future contractors will ask for them.
How it goes
A typical VCT removal, start to finish
Sample and test
Tile and mastic are sampled separately, from each layer and each area that looks different. Results usually come back in a few days.
Measure and scope
Square footage, number of layers, what's under the tile, and what the new flooring needs. A floor going to polished concrete needs more prep than one getting new carpet tile.
If it's positive: abatement
A licensed abatement contractor sets up the work area, removes the tile and mastic with the required methods, and documents the disposal. Clearance comes before other trades come back in.
If it's clean: strip and scrape
Tile comes up with scrapers or a ride-on floor stripper on larger floors, then the adhesive is removed by scraping or grinding, depending on the finish the new floor needs.
Prep the slab
Patching, leveling and cleaning so the flooring installer can start right away. Moisture coming up through older slabs is common in South Florida, so it's worth having the installer test before new flooring goes down.
Pricing
What changes the cost of floor tile removal
The test results
Clean tile is a demolition job. Positive tile or mastic is an abatement job with its own setup, methods and disposal, and that's the biggest swing in price.
Size and layers
Square footage sets the base, and every extra layer of tile or glue adds labor.
The site
An empty warehouse is faster than an occupied office floor that needs work after hours, protection for the rest of the building and careful dust control.
Related
Keep reading
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Does all VCT contain asbestos?
No. Plenty of vinyl composition tile is asbestos free, especially newer tile. But older tile and the black mastic under it can contain asbestos, and federal safety rules presume flooring installed before 1981 does unless testing shows otherwise. The only way to know is a lab test.
Can I just cover old floor tile with new flooring?
Often, yes, if the tile is intact and well bonded. Covering it is common and avoids disturbing it. The tile is still there, though, so it has to be dealt with the next time the floor is torn up, and it's worth keeping the test results with the building records.
Is black mastic dangerous?
Older black adhesive, often called cutback, can contain asbestos even under asbestos-free tile. It's not a problem left alone, but grinding or sanding it without testing first can release fibers. Sample it separately from the tile.
Can I remove VCT myself?
If testing shows the tile and mastic are asbestos free, removal is ordinary demolition work. If either one tests positive, in a commercial space it should be removed by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor using the required methods.
How long does VCT removal take?
Testing usually takes a few days. Clean tile in an open space comes up quickly, while abatement adds setup, removal under controls and clearance. An occupied building working after hours takes longer than an empty one.
This article is general information, not legal or environmental advice. Asbestos rules depend on the building, the amount of material and the county. Have suspect materials tested by a licensed professional and confirm current requirements with your county asbestos program.