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amber_holland27

Using concrete for floor finish

7 years ago

Our house isn't too old but it's old enough to have asbestos tile and a difference of 2+inches in the floor's level from one side of the basement to the other. I don't want to remove the tile and don't mind that the floor isn't level. Can I use a very thin layer of self-leveling cement to cover the tile and the tiny spaces between the tile so it's just a smooth concrete surface? I'll warm the basement up with color, texture, and a few rugs instead of installing new floors on top of the concrete.

Comments (4)

  • 7 years ago

    Im not an expert but experience taught me a thin layer of self leveling concrete over tile is likely to break up over time with wear especially since it won’t be able to adhere to the concrete underneath.

  • 7 years ago

    There are ways of doing this. I'm not a flooring installer (but I am a flooring professional). I know that many "better" flooring installers know how to do this properly. It is rather expensive because of how many steps it takes to get this to work.


    Basically you have to clean the old asbestos tiles REALLY well and then let dry. Once dry, the tiles are then coated in a primer SPECIFICALLY made to grab asbestos vinyl tiles. Sometimes you will need two coats. Each coat must cure for "X" amount of hours. Once the cure has completed then a coat of self leveling compound or concrete can be applied.


    It should be several dollars per square foot (like $4-$6 per square foot depending on what is needed at the job site).


    Personally I would look at wall to wall carpet over the tile. It is super fast and relatively low cost.

  • 7 years ago
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>I think we'll be safely ripping up the tiles instead as many of them are loose anyway and then we'll put a coat of concrete down to cover the glue and seal the concrete. This way, I won't lose my mind if red wine spills and the next homeowners can finish it if they want. Pray for my patience!
  • 7 years ago

    The glue will pose an entirely different problem. Have you tested the adhesive for asbestos? It is entirely possible the adhesive consists of asbestos as well (cut back adhesive is FAMOUS for it's asbestos content).


    It doesn't get much cheaper because the special products you need to use to go over the old adhesive.


    Once the tiles have been removed, you will need to find out the proper disposal method required by your state/county/township. Contact your local waste management department to find out what is required of homeowners.