Asbestos. Am I fucked?

[CooterBrown 18,014]

So, I’m having hardwood floors put in the bedrooms and hall today. Previously, they were carpet. House was built in’62 and there was original vinyl tile remaining in the closets. We put carpet in the bedrooms originally and just put the carpet over the vinyl in the closets. The plan was that the installers would leave the carpet in the closets so they didn’t have to disturb the vinyl underneath.

 

I walked back there and the guy had removed the carpet and haphazardly scrapped up all the old vinyl tile. I have no idea if it’s asbestos but odds are high due to age.

 

I just went and bought a medical grade HEPA air filter and am running it right now. I’ll open all windows and doors also.

 

Am I fucked? Or is it not that big of a deal unless it’s long term exposure?

[fattyflattie 4,639]

Your husband will probably be fine.  You, 50/50. 

[Hate 20,112]

[Gil Bang 25,974]

It's not the VCT, it's the mastic (glue) that likely contains asbestos.  

It would have been fine if it weren't disturbed. 

Edited April 28, 2021 by Gil Bang

[Dewey 3,286]

You'll be okay for a little while, don't panic. 

[Guest Lobo]

Nah, the shit don't bother me.  That asbestos shit.   I put mustard on it and eat that fucking shit.  

[HouTex 1,878]

They say one fiber, just one, of asbestos in your lung can stay there and cause mesothelioma 30 years later. But I’m betting it’s a million to one shot. I wouldn’t worry about it.

[mdmost 43,004]

You got all that safety shit?

[horn4life 3,762]

Get an N95 mask keep the shit wet with a mist and tear all that shit out.  Bag it, seal and be gone.  

I honestly would not freak out.  It is what it is.   Bunch of fucking old people round right now that did the same thing 4 times 50 years ago.  As Gil Bang said. Undisturbed you were OK.  But now you cracked the seal, and might as well deal with it one time and be gone!

Then... let's go lick a little paint! And get the lead testing kit!

Edited April 28, 2021 by horn4life

[South Austin 52,519]

Call Baron & Budd.

[CooterBrown 18,014]

I’m past being concerned. It is what it is. Floors got installed. Moved the HEPA filter from room to room today. It needs 20 minutes to completely recycle the air in a 500 sq ft room. The largest room is less than half that. I left it in each room for 90 minutes. It’s about as good as it’s gonna get.

On the bright side, there’s no more carpet and I got hardwood installed in the closets that I didn’t pay for.

[Upgrayedd 5,814]

Next time don’t hire All pro Tree service to do your flooring 

[markstanco 12,577]

You'll be fine. My father made asbestos high heat gloves until outlawed in the early 80s. Drove with boxes and boxes of them back and forth to the Houston ship yards.

He's 78 years old now. Your tile is safe.

[NeverMarryAStripper 21,907]

I'd go ahead and call one of those lawyers that advertises on a UHF channel at 3:00 am just to be on the safe side

[immortal13 4,059]

You still ok, Cooter? Just checking on you

[ztejas 43,467]

As best as I can tell you should be okay. 

[luke duke 6,413]

You should have hired a master abater. This website is full of them.