A Guide To Asbestos Tile Removal

Asbestos is a buzzword that carries negative implications for a home or business. This is because asbestos, when broken or disturbed, becomes the ‘silent killer’ – it cannot be seen or smelt, but can seriously impact the condition of your lungs. When breathed in over a prolonged amount of time, particularly when asbestos floor tiles are hidden underneath new carpet, asbestos-related conditions like pleurisy or asbestosis can occur.

It’s important to avoid these conditions at all costs, with professional asbestos tile removal. Asbestos floor tiles shouldn’t be touched by an untrained civilian, as the risk of disturbance is extremely high. Instead, leave the job in the safe hands of someone like us at The Flooring Group – we know the regulations on how to remove asbestos floor tiles, and have the PPE on hand that allows our team to get the job done.

With that said, here’s our guide to asbestos tile removal, and why this is so important.

How asbestos tile removal works

Asbestos floor tiles are removed in a well thought-out, delicate process, that involves the utmost care and consideration. Some simple steps involved in an asbestos tile removal procedure are as follows, although this may change depending on a local area’s specific regulations:

1. Lifting the tile – Asbestos floor tiles cannot be broken apart with force. Therefore, using a scraper or a shovel between the joints of the tiles, asbestos floor tiles are carefully pried from their position on the floor and lifted.
2. Wetting the tiles – To make sure the asbestos particles do not enter the air, the area where the floor tiles are being removed is constantly dampened. Professionals will often wet the asbestos floor tile and the space beneath them to ensure their work area is kept moist, and therefore safe.
3. Disposing of the tiles properly – Asbestos floor tiles can be disposed of through recycling, where they are broken down through thermal decomposition. This treatment permanently renders asbestos fibres non-toxic, which makes it a common – and popular – method of disposal.

Why asbestos tile removal is important

Asbestos tile removal is important because it is a process that keeps us safe in the long-term.

A major reason why asbestos floor tiles are extremely dangerous is because they are often indistinguishable from the safe tiling that we use now. They’re fine, until they’re not! Even when disturbed by the smallest movement, their microscopic fibres can cause cancer – and, if you aren’t aware that asbestos is in your home or business – the danger to your health becomes exponential.

For the betterment of you and your property in the long-term, the removal of asbestos floor tiles is so important. And, although you can remove these tiles yourself, we at The Flooring Group highly recommend seeking the assistance of a professional – this ensures everything is carried out in a compliant and careful manner.

If you’d like more advice on asbestos tile removal, don’t wait to contact The Flooring Group at your earliest convenience. It’s best to sort this issue out sooner rather than later!