If you have some type of asbestos floor in your home, there are a number of options to consider. One of those is encapsulating the flooring by covering it. Can you do this with epoxy?
Generally speaking, you should not put epoxy over asbestos tile. There are some instances, however, in which you may be able to do so but you have to prepare everything properly and use the right type of epoxy when doing it.
Quite obviously, you need to be cautious when you’re dealing with anything associated with asbestos. At one time, it was commonly used but they discovered that it was very bad for your health.
When you’re exposed to asbestos, it can lead to a type of cancer that is known as mesothelioma. This is incurable cancer that is horrible in what it can do.
Of course, not many people need to be told that they should avoid asbestos. Obviously, it’s important to avoid it and if you are going to encapsulate asbestos tile with epoxy, you need to do it properly.
Can You Put Epoxy On Asbestos Tile? (How To)
First of all, you need to inspect the tile very carefully. If the tile is in good condition and structurally sound, you may be able to put epoxy over it to encapsulate it.
If any of the tiles are broken or otherwise damaged, however, it is important to get a professional involved. There are people who are very qualified for handling asbestos and they are the ones who can handle it properly.
It’s not enough to simply wear a respirator when you’re dealing with asbestos. The fibers are extremely small and if they get into your lungs, they can really cause a lot of problems.
That is why it is important to be cautious whenever you are preparing an asbestos floor before applying epoxy. You would not want to do anything that would cause the asbestos to become airborne and potentially enter into the lungs.
When all is said and done, you need to think about the possibility of having the floor removed. When the asbestos floor is in place and is not damaged, it does not cause any problems and you can live on it for many years.
If there is any possibility of the floor getting damaged or breaking, however, it is very important to have it removed rather than simply encapsulating it. This is a matter of hazardous waste material and it is more than simply pulling up an old floor and putting down the new one.
It’s not just a matter of having asbestos in the air, it can be a problem for many years if the tile becomes friable. That is what it is called when it breaks down into smaller pieces or becomes a powder and it can cause a physical hazard. If the tile has already been damaged in this way, it can only be removed and should not be encapsulated.
Should You Put Epoxy On Asbestos Tile?
We’ve already discussed the possibility of putting epoxy over asbestos tile. It certainly is possible to do so and you may find that it works well in some instances.
That being said, there is a difference between knowing that you can do something and realizing when you should do something. What are some of the problems to look out for when putting epoxy over asbestos tile?
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on November 14, 2022.
EPA Guidelines – Since asbestos is such a potentially harmful material, the EPA has guidelines that are associated with it. You should always verify these guidelines before doing anything with the asbestos tile in your home.
Local Guidelines – It is also a good idea to check with the local building codes to see if the asbestos tile needs to be handled in a very specific way. If you’re dealing with a contractor, they should be able to help you in this regard. If you are putting the epoxy over it as a DIY project, you should check with the local building codes by going into the office and inquiring.
Damaged Tile – There may be a little bit of preparation that is necessary before you put the epoxy over asbestos tile. That is why it is very important to ensure that you are not damaging the tile in the process. Even a little damage can cause the asbestos to be airborne.
Friable Tile – If the asbestos tile is easily broken into smaller fragments or can be reduced into a powder, then you need to get a professional involved. It isn’t just a matter of having tile that is old, it’s having damaged tile that is already breaking down.
Once asbestos tile becomes friable, you cannot do anything but have it removed. It should be removed by a professional because it can cause serious, life-threatening consequences if you try to do it on your own.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Epoxy On Asbestos Tile?
If you are ready to put some epoxy over asbestos tile, you need to gather the tools that you will need for the job. Having these available ahead of time will help you to get the job done without any additional problems.
The first type of tools you will need is the type that will prepare the floor. These include scrubbing tools and anything that will remove grease and grime from the floor.
Quite obviously, before you put epoxy over a floor, you need to have the floor as clean as possible. You don’t want to scrub an asbestos floor because of the possibility of damaging it and causing the asbestos to get airborne.
Using a heavy degreaser on the floor and mopping it up with clear water is the best option.
Secondly, you will need tools to actually mix and prepare the epoxy. Included in this are some 5-gallon pails, wooden mixing sticks, and rags.
In most cases, you will have a considerable amount of time to work with the epoxy before it begins to set. That being said, once the epoxy is mixed, you should start applying it without delay.
At this point, you will need some installation tools. This can include some rollers, squeegees, roller cages, trowels, and brushes.
Finally, don’t forget your PPE. Safety glasses or even better, safety goggles are important for protecting your eyes. You should also wear neoprene gloves, a dust mask (N95 preferred), ear protection, and a good pair of kneepads.
What Preparations Do You Need To Put Epoxy On Asbestos Tile?
Preparation is always the key to make any job successful. This also includes preparing an asbestos floor for epoxy. How can you do it properly?
First of all, you shouldn’t handle an asbestos floor in the same way as you would any other tile. Generally speaking, you would scrub down the tile using a machine but with asbestos, you don’t want to damage the tile and have the possibility of the asbestos getting airborne.
It is still important to remove any wax coating or grease that is on the floor because this will keep the epoxy from setting. Clean the floor thoroughly and then use a degreaser to remove as much of the grease as possible.
It may take a number of steps before this is fully complete, especially considering the fact that you are not going to use any type of harsh machinery. Don’t be afraid to go back and use additional degreaser or stripper until the floor is completely bare.
How To Put Epoxy On Asbestos Tile
Once the floor has been properly prepared, it’s time to put the epoxy on the asbestos tile. What is the best way to do it?
Typically, the floor will be in good condition and free of any type of wax or grease at this point. Now is the time in which you will mix the epoxy and begin to apply it.
Mix the Epoxy – There may be variations in the amount of epoxy and how much hardener is put into the formula. You should check with the specific epoxy you’re using and read the instructions carefully before you get to this point in the process.
In mixing the epoxy, you will start the process and you have to finish at that point or the epoxy will eventually dry. This may be up to 12 hours, but is best if you get it done as quickly as possible.
Spread the Epoxy – Pour the epoxy onto the floor and start spreading it out. You can do this with squeegees and rollers but it is important to have a nice, even coat.
Don’t worry too much about lines or impressions in the epoxy. It will float and eventually, the lines will disappear before it dries.
Cure – after you have put down the epoxy according to the manufacturer’s instructions, you will need to cure it. You may need to wait at least seven days before you put any heavy weight on the floor.
Epoxy is a great way to encapsulate an asbestos tile floor. As long as you do things properly, you can live on the floor for many years to come.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on November 14, 2022.
Although it is not the preferred way to encapsulate an asbestos floor, you can use epoxy on asbestos tile if you do things properly. This would include carefully preparing the floor and then applying the epoxy according to the manufacturer’s standards.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on November 14, 2022.