Possible Asbestos Black Mastic DIsturbed

6 years ago

We own a home built in 1956. We recently removed plank vinyl tile installed in our basement by a prior owner due to damage done to it while having a four wall sump installed. After removing the planks and trying to clean the floors to paint them we noticed what I now understand to be black mastic. We cleaned the floors and used a scraper to try to remove it. After cleaning the floors for about 2 hours I noticed what looked like outlines of 9x9 tiles--so we then realized what we should have recognized from the beginning, most likely asbestos.
The tiles are gone and all that seems to remain is some of the mastic. So now we don't know what to do. We have sealed off the area where the mastic was disturbed for now.
I read some of the other threads where folks recommend using perfect primer and sealing it but that tends to be undisturbed tiles.
So I am wondering if there are solutions out there that we could try and not have to pay for professional abatement. Also, keep in mind because of covid, we are severely limited on respirators--in fact I can't find any.

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Comment (1)

Bruce in Northern Virginia
6 years ago
The risk is for exposure to friable asbestos, which would be in the form of airborne particles. Do not use brushes or scrapers that would release particles into the air. We had tile and mastic removed by a licensed abatement company and they used a liquid solution to break up the mastic, and then sucked up the solution with a water vacuum. However, they also wore protective suits and masks the entire time, and had postive ventilation for the area. This youtube video will give you a better idea of the process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bFgNyfjiKk

Since your tile and most of the mastic is already gone, I would do some research to find a non-petroleum based Vinyl Adhesive Tile (VAT) mastic remover (in liquid form) and use it to clean the floor. The product I have seen mentioned in a few articles is called Bean-e-Doo mastic remover, but I'm sure there are other brands.

You do not want to use anything with a petroleum base because it will be absorbed by the concrete. It may retain petroleum odor, and may prevent some adhesives from bonding properly with the concrete if you try to lay down new tile.

Bruce
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