[HAMMOCK]

BobF,

Thank you for your helpful information. Could you clarify some things for me?

The tiles are 12” sq. and were installed some unknown time after the house was built in 1976. I inspected the tiles and I believe they are not self-stick and are not asbestos.

Under the tile is sheet flooring that I believe was installed when the house was built in 1976. I inspected the sheet flooring (and mastic) and I am assuming that while the sheeting may not be asbestos, the mastic-adhesive is black and I assume it is asbestos.

I am not really concerned with the asbestos danger. But, since this is a kitchen, I do want to make sure the new self-stick tiles will adhere securely. And, I am looking for the easiest and quickest way to replace this with the least work and mess.

You mentioned 3 options:

(1) Removing the residual mastic/adhesive with an 8’ razor floor scrapper.

Does it need to be kept wet to minimize the dust debris?
Does it need to be softened? If so, with what? (See #3.)

(2) A sealer that is applied with a trowel.

What is it called?
Would it be better than the JASCO brand Adhesive Primer, a liquid that is applied with a brush or roller?

(3) Removing the adhesive with a lacquer thinner.

Would a lacquer thinner do an adequate job?
Or would the JASCO brand Adhesive Remover be better?

After removing the adhesive (either #1 or #3), does the concrete slab need to be prepped (i.e., with a primer, like the JASCO brand Adhesive Primer, before applying the new self-stick tiles?

Thanks again.

[HAMMOCK]

Since the the house was built in 1976 the original sheet flooring (and mastic) is likley asbestos.

The 2nd layer of 1-ft sq. tiles (and adhesive) are probably not asbestos. Although, I don’t know how the tiles were applied (self-adhesive or not.)

There are no apparent problems with the either existing layer of flooring (no chipping, curling, or popping up.)

If I can remove the tiles (and tile adhesive residue) without damaging the sheet linoleum, AND if the sheet linoleum is still in goog condition, I may be able to install the new tiles without having to remove the asbestos sheet linoleum.

But, if I have to remove the sheet linoleum
I will have to deal with the residual asbestos/mastic.

So, how do I prepare the floor before I install the new self-adhesive tiles?

Is there somethin that wii seal the residual asbestos/mastic and allow the self-adhesive tiles to adhere?

Or, is there a solvent that will remove the residual asbestos/mastic down to the concrete slab?

Bsaically, I want to consider ALL my options before I begin. So, thanks again for the feed back.

[HAMMOCK]

I appreciate your responses. Here is some additional information and questions.

1) The house is not old enough to have asbestos flooring.
2) This is a small kitchen (about 75 sq. ft.)
adjecent to a carpeted dining area.
3) Laying a new underlayment doesn’t seem practical (nothing to secure it to and the new floor would be higher than the adjcent room.)
4) And as I understand it, after I remove the original two layers of flooring I then need to deal with the adhesive residue (mastic) that is left on the concrete slab.

So my question is:
What can I seal the mastic with so that the self-adhesive resilient tiles will adhere securely?
– OR –
What can I use to remove the mastic down to the bare concrete slab before I apply the self-adhesive tiles? And, then do I need to prepare (seal) the bare concrete before I Lay the new tiles?

Thanks, again.

[Author]

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