Hardwood over 60's tile - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

4yanx · 10-17-2007, 01:48 AM

I have been asked to install hardwood by a couple who has a family room that sits on a slab. They have carpeting now and underneath is the old 60's 9" tiles. Tiles are perfect - old looking but no cracks or pieces missing anywhere. I have installed hardwood in several rooms now but never over tiles, which I figure contain asbestos, and never over concrete, which I know will require some sort of barrier, given wood contact. The last caveat in this deal is that the flooring must be resistant to high traffic wear man has no tolerance for a floor that "gives" in way and he expects "nothing less than a rock solid floor"

, so I am thinking gluing may be the only option.

Can anyone give suggestions regarding the best flooring type and installation methods for this application. My first blush idea was a medium thick (1/2")engineered product of some sorts. Agreement?

Thanks in advance. I got good help here when I asked about doing a patterned fllor.

shed-n-deck · 10-17-2007, 01:58 AM

Tiles that contain asbestos? I would firstly retain the services of a quality asbestos removal service. Just to be on the safe side...Not just for you, but your customer. Ridding yourself of the tiles might also help to answer your question...Just proceed like you would normally on any other concrete sub-surface.

Floordude · 10-17-2007, 07:45 AM

Yes, 9x9's are VAT, vinyl asbestos tile

I have done it before, but I got a waiver signed, that is the tiles popped, and hollow spots appeared, it is not my responsibility(worded it more specific then that)
I encapsulated the tiles, with AREDEX SD-F, 2 thick coats.

I glued down a solid Bamboo over it. That was 4 years ago. No call saying it didn't work.

PrecisionFloors · 10-17-2007, 09:47 PM

I have glued down over VAT before as well. I also encapsulated with Ardex SD-F and got a waiver. Mine was 5 ply 1/2" engineered oak so it was a pretty stable floor to begin with. I would also use a moisture cured urethane adhesive. How flat is the floor? If it were to need significant filler you may be better off just using slc and kill two birds with one rock.

4yanx · 10-18-2007, 12:39 AM

Thanks. This is good information. Encapsulation as opposed to removal of the tile is key. Removal, and I am out of the picture. The owner's like the idea of 1/2" engineered.