Alright, alright, alright.

[KOPBET]

...I was thrilled when they said they were going to remove the old carpet since I think that will help my breathing issues,

Carpet is the debil. Esp. with animals around.

 

[Parks 788]

One thing to consider is that if your vinyl tile is old enough the tile itself and/or the mastic used to put it down were loaded with asbestos. Typically fine if the floor was installed properly but you run the big risk of causing a huge problem when those tiles are removed. When removed they will typically break apart and scraping the hardened mastic cause large amounts of asbestos dust to release into the air and contaminate the house. If left intact not a problem. THis may be one reason the flooring guys said to leave it and will install new flooring over it due to them knowing this. Chances are they are not certified in asbestos abatement and couldn't legally do the removal.

Had this problem in our CA home and costs us about $5K to have an abatement company come out and remove all the flooring and mastic so we could lay down new wood flooring. House was tented around the doors for positive/negative pressure (don't remember which) and they had to wear special suits and respirators.

 

[RickN]

Carpet is the debil. Esp. with animals around.

Yes the carpet is over 30 years old and we foster dogs for a rescue. Not as much as we did since our health started going bad but we have had dozens of dogs thru here in years past. Many of them with issues. We keep washable incontinence down behind the couch and most have learned to use those when we are asleep or gone.

 

[dennishoddy]

As has been said previously, when they get there, go find a lawn chair in the shade and let them do their job.
We had ceramic tile removed by a crew that used an oscillating saw that quickly did the job.
The blade was different than what is shown as an example of what type of tool they used. They were a commercial flooring company.

 

[turkeyrun]

Not any easy way. Good old fashion elbow grease.

You might get Spread Eagle to remove it for you. Been said, she pull a golf ball through copper tubing.

A heat gun can help, but I wouldn't call it better.

 

[montesa]

One thing to consider is that if your vinyl tile is old enough the tile itself and/or the mastic used to put it down were loaded with asbestos. Typically fine if the floor was installed properly but you run the big risk of causing a huge problem when those tiles are removed. When removed they will typically break apart and scraping the hardened mastic cause large amounts of asbestos dust to release into the air and contaminate the house. If left intact not a problem. THis may be one reason the flooring guys said to leave it and will install new flooring over it due to them knowing this. Chances are they are not certified in asbestos abatement and couldn't legally do the removal.

Had this problem in our CA home and costs us about $5K to have an abatement company come out and remove all the flooring and mastic so we could lay down new wood flooring. House was tented around the doors for positive/negative pressure (don't remember which) and they had to wear special suits and respirators.

Funny. As a guy that has demolished and replaced a ridiculous amount of everything, this sounds funny to me. Maybe I'll die at some point but nothing in Ricks house scares me one bit. We're talking about probably less than 60 square feet of vinyl that doesn't even need to be removed. If you pull it up the glue and what gets on it is gonna be the real problem.

 

[trekrok]

Funny. As a guy that has demolished and replaced a ridiculous amount of everything, this sounds funny to me. Maybe I'll die at some point but nothing in Ricks house scares me one bit. We're talking about probably less than 60 square feet of vinyl that doesn't even need to be removed. If you pull it up the glue and what gets on it is gonna be the real problem.

Yep, if we're just talking the old glue down vinyl tile and they are floating some type of floor over it, it would be a mistake to try and pull the old vinyl, imo. Removing it would be a lot of unnecessary work and could end up making it harder on the guys donating their time to do the work in the first place.

My recommendation is to just stay out of their way.

 

[sumoj275]

This sounds like such a great thing for you and your wife. You’ll never miss the carpet and having the rest done up might just let you keep ahead.

 

[Rez Exelon]

Man if that tile is stuck down tight- I would leave it- some of that old time glue holds like hell.

It'd be a shame if the horses died for nothing after all.

 

[Parks 788]

Funny. As a guy that has demolished and replaced a ridiculous amount of everything, this sounds funny to me. Maybe I'll die at some point but nothing in Ricks house scares me one bit. We're talking about probably less than 60 square feet of vinyl that doesn't even need to be removed. If you pull it up the glue and what gets on it is gonna be the real problem.

I'm not worried about what scares you or how much demo/replacement you done or if its funny. It's a fact there is this potential with asbestos in tiles and mastic. Not always a big deal dependent on size of area or your remodel plans but some people may not know and can make a better judgment on how they want to handle. Not sure why you have a problem with my post.

Asbestos Floor Tiles: How to Identify and Remove Them

Asbestos was a popular element of flooring until the 1980s, but it has since been linked to serious health risks. Learn how to identify and remove it.

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