Removing Vinyl Tiles from concrete floor

Discussion in 'Builders' Talk' started by castlewallsPK, Apr 30, 2016.

  1. castlewallsPK

    castlewallsPK New Member

    Hello,
    My house was built in 1970.
    I want to remove and lay new Vinyl files, on the concrete floor, in my downstairs toilet.
    I have read that houses of this age may have vinyl files and / or adhesive that contains asbestos.

    Is there a way of confirming this.

    I do have a "GVS Elipse Half Mask Respirator P3" which I used for cutting and installing celotex broads.
    Could I use this using a heat gun to soften the adhesive and remove the tiles safely ?
    I have uploaded a picture of the tiles on the floor. Some if the tiles broke and came away when the toilet was replaced


    floor2.jpg

    You very much for any advice.

    Best regards.

    Phil.
     
  2. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Use a long handle mutt scraper & I reckon they will pop off.

    Asbestos fiber or asbestos powder-filler was used in some vinyl floor tiles up to the 80's.
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2016
    castlewallsPK likes this.
  3. castlewallsPK

    castlewallsPK New Member

    Thanks, KIAB

    So would any adhesive left on floor be able to be removed by heating with a heat gun and scraping off.

    Thanks again for any advice.

    Phil.
     
  4. DIYDave.

    DIYDave. Screwfix Select

    I'm sure I've read similar threads on here before about removing vinyl tiles and I seem to remember the advice was that if they are well stuck down, then leave em be and go over the top of them

    A wash down and allow to dry, then a coat of SBR, allow to dry and tile away

    I'm only diy so could be totally wrong on this issue, sure Kiab will confirm one way or another

    Obviously taking out the loo will make things much easier, whatever method you use
     
    castlewallsPK likes this.
  5. Jitender

    Jitender Screwfix Select

    You can send in a tile sample for testing, costs about £40 to have done. Will confirm whether chrysotile is used in the tiles or adhesive.
     
    castlewallsPK likes this.
  6. Ghost-1

    Ghost-1 Active Member

    Old vinyl tiles usually come up easy.

    Then SBR slurry (SBR & cement)

    Then self level.

    Ready for wot ever then.
     
    castlewallsPK likes this.
  7. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    It's always best to remove old vinyl tiles,you lay new tiles over them, you can gurantee old ones will come adrift.
    Leave any adhesive on floor, dampen floor, then as already said prime with SBR + cement @ 4 or 5 to 1, some even do 2 to 1 mix,brush it in, leave it to dry, then leveling compound.

    Wonder what Ghost would suggest,

    What you replacing old tiles with.
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2016
    castlewallsPK likes this.
  8. Glad its Friday

    Glad its Friday Active Member

    Interesting post this one, Castlewalls, you are not getting good advice here so far I'm afraid.

    You need to send a sample of your 'vinyl' tiles for analysis if you plan to lift them - they almost certainly contain asbestos I'm afraid.

    Best thing to do is leave them be, seal them in, re-tile over the top - everything will then be fine. Unless you have had them analysed, then lifting them, as Ghost suggested, is just about then most irresponsible thing you can do.......have you got children living at home??

    If you do plan to lift them and they do contain asbestos you will need a specialist company in to do it - £££££££ - so leave em be !
     
    castlewallsPK likes this.
  9. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Using a mutt, I expect they will come up whole, as they came away easily from around the bog.
     
  10. Ghost-1

    Ghost-1 Active Member

    They usually just pop up whole, or, as glad it's Friday may suggest.

    Tarp your whole house,
    Hire full house dust filtration,
    Wear boiler suite/full breathing apperatus.
    Hold breath and very gentle lift individual tiles, and slowly.....very slowly bag each tile in individual bags, taped up, and individually taken to waste disposal site.

    Or, pop them up, as they usually don't take much at all.
     
    KIAB likes this.
  11. castlewallsPK

    castlewallsPK New Member

    Hi Glad its Friday.
    As a couple of tiles have already been lifted when the old Toilet was removed and the new fitted, if I fitted new tiles over the top what would be a good way of leveling the floor where the tiles were removed to the level of the tiles still in place.
    Sorry is a dumb question but I haven't needed to do something like this before.
    I appreciate your expertise.
     
  12. Ghost-1

    Ghost-1 Active Member


    Like I said.......
     
    KIAB likes this.
  13. castlewallsPK

    castlewallsPK New Member

    Hi KIAB.
    I replacing the tiles with new vinyl tiles. The Wife wants pink tiles.
     
  14. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    PINK! [​IMG]
     
  15. castlewallsPK

    castlewallsPK New Member

    Hi Ghost-1
    It seems a lot of prep to removed such a small number of tiles, 20 @ 9"x9", but I appreciate the safety aspect you detailed.
     
  16. castlewallsPK

    castlewallsPK New Member

    That is my feeling as well :)
     
  17. Ghost-1

    Ghost-1 Active Member

  18. CGN

    CGN Screwfix Select

    Good scraper as Kiab said. Sometimes they pop off, sometimes just come up in bits. Why don't you put vinyl down instead of tiles, much better :)
     
  19. castlewallsPK

    castlewallsPK New Member

    Thank You everyone for your advice.
    I'll try and lift them.
    The Wife still wants pink tiles though. :)
     
  20. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    Change the wife :):)
     
    KIAB and castlewallsPK like this.

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