Busted up asbestos flooring in basement?

6 months ago

Home was built 1951, seems very likely the basement floor is the typical asbestos type from that era. I see that it's busted up in several areas including a long line which looks like maybe a drain or something else under the basement floor had to be repaired at some point? Does this pose a threat to my health if I buy this home? I know undisturbed asbestos is not much of a concern, but this asbestos flooring has obviously been "disturbed." Do you see something different in the photo?

Featured Answer

Sigrid

6 months ago

You are unlikely to have consequences from visting the basement of a house with decaying asbestos tiles, assuming the are asbestos, which you don't know. If it is asbestos tile, the probability that the drain was put in long ago and any dust was vacuumed up is pretty high. That said, you can get an N95 mask from a hardware store and wear it, that should protect you completely from any incidental exposure. A cloth mask might, too. If you are interested in the house, you can make your offer contingent on an asbestos inspection. The inspector can tell you the cost of mitigation. Sellers who are sure they have no asbestos will agree to this.

We had decaying asbestos tile in a summer cabin. We put click-together vinyl flooring over it. It was an easy DIY project.

This is from the National Cancer Institute:

Everyone is exposed to asbestos at some time during their life. Low levels of asbestos are present in the air, water, and soil. However, most people do not become ill from their exposure. People who become ill from asbestos are usually those who are exposed to it on a regular basis, most often in a job where they work directly with the material or through substantial environmental contact.

My FIL got mesothelioma, but he was a mechanic on fighter jets in the air force and they sprayed asbestos (then, the wonder mineral) all over everything to prevent shots from causing fires. He had a lot of exposure for years in his 20s, he was vigorous and healthy until his mid-80s when the mesothelioma hit.

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Comments (9)

millworkman
6 months ago
Getit tested, only way to know for sure but that certianly looks disturbed to me.
sellsellsell
Original Author
6 months ago
I'm going to look at the home soon and not sure if it's even safe for me to go in the basement.
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sellsellsell
Original Author
6 months ago
I had emailed an inspector and just got his response that this flooring almost certainly contains asbestos, but that my risk would be low just taking a quick look around the basement. He added that while it's possible asbestos fibers could be in the air, flooring actually gives off very few airborne asbestos fibers compared to many other materials. He said that a mitigation / abatement company would likely just wet-clean everything and flush/filter the air.
klem1
6 months ago
Doesn't appear to contain asbestos. To be transparent, I've been known to be wrong when judging things from looking at pictures.
Kendrah
6 months ago
Wear an N-95 when visiting if you want peace of mind. If you really like the home, make it contingent on inspection and sample testing. Get quotes for best ways to mitigate if it is an issue.
sellsellsell thanked Kendrah
Seabornman
6 months ago
There are plenty of schools with asbestos tiles still in place. The asbestos is well contained in the tile. Even breaking the tile releases very few fibers.
sellsellsell
Original Author
6 months ago
I decided not to buy this home after receiving the inspection report. Thanks all for your responses. The home search continues...
klem1
6 months ago
Don't become fixated on asbestos while searching and overlook, termites, mold, lead,carbon monoxide,radon,pesticides,moisture, formaldehyde , code violations , water damage , foundation problems , inadequate insulation, rodents, roof leaks and other issues sellers sometimes choose to conceal from buyers. If in doubt ,take pictures to post here for analysis and recommendations.