Can You Lay Ceramic Tile Over Asbestos Tile

However covering it with ceramic tile is legal.

Can you lay ceramic tile over asbestos tile. According to the tile doctor s website asbestos tile cannot be removed by anyone who is not a professional. Installing ceramic tile over vinyl or linoleum surfaces can be more complicated than expected and probably should be avoided whenever possible. You can tile directly over asbestos with new tile including ceramic tile. If you tile over it then when someone does have to remove the asbestos tile everything has to come up and be specially treated.

When you are dealing with asbestos you can either remove it with an abatement or manage it in place. After the primer dries you are ready to tile. Use a portland cement based adhesive to adhere the new tiles to the old. In many cases installing a new floor over the tiles encapsulates the asbestos fibers and is an acceptable way to manage the material.

When you re ready to install tile over linoleum a thin layer of mortar should be spread over the floor s surface with a flat edged trowel. If the tiles in question are crumbling torn drilled sawn or sanded you ll definitely want to consult with a professional who can help gauge risk and offer recommendations for reducing asbestos exposure the epa is among the best resources available to help educate on risks and abatement techniques. Take care to choose a tile whose thickness is not going to create a problem and choose a tile that is rated for floor use. They can t just remove your layer of tile on top it will likely be considered hazardous waste because of what it s attached to.

First things first in many cases homeowners choose to install carpet on top of asbestos tile instead of replacing it with newer ceramic or porcelain tile. Installing over existing vinyl. After the thin layer has dried which should take about 30 minutes use a notched trowel to add a second layer over the first layer taking care to create even ridges over the surface. This will allow the new tile adhesive to bond well with the old tiles.

Once you have cleaned the floor well apply a primer to the surface of the existing tiles. While the old tiles can be removed and replaced with tile and even safely removed by the homeowner with proper precautions and equipment it s usually not worth the risk especially if you plan on installing carpet anyway. If you find that some of your tile surface is uneven you will need to pack it up with glue apply more glue to level it out as you lay. If you have a floor that is covered with asbestos tile and you want to create a unique look consider covering the area with ceramic tile.