Look what I found!

[jakes_mama]

Since we bought our '65 GT in December I have wanted to rip out the 1980s cornflower blue gross dirty carpet and see what was underneath--would the original lino floor tiles still be in good enough shape? Would there be pieces missing? What about rot? Well I was about to find out. It took one full afternoon to peel back what was there.


The PO not only installed carpet, but a carpet pad, carpet tape, and tack strips.










OH YES, that is the original tile! I spent the next afternoon prying up the tack strips and using Goo Gone to get most of the sticky stuff off. One more afternoon ought to get the floor shined up.

Not sure if--er, not if--how much floor rot is there. It seems very solid though after poking around. There is plenty of evidence of water leaks from years gone by, so I am assuming...

The main thing is that it is campground worthy. Plotting our NorCal escape soon.
More pics to come!

--Jayne

[Melody Ranch]

If your from California your going to have a fit......You have just uncovered all the old asbestos tiles. How you going to seal them up? Remove them? Handle the old ones? or prep for replacement?

[jakes_mama]

Well Melody Ranch, that was a buzzkill. Here I thought how cool it was that the original floor was intact under that nasty carpet. Now that's an excited Newbie for ya.

We were hoping to just clean and polish it. Perhaps sealing is necessary. Replacing the floor down the road is something we will do, but not for now if we can help it.

Could you please explain what being in California makes it bad? I would assume asbestos tiles would affect you no matter what state you are in.

If anyone has used a sealant for their original 1960s era floor, I am all ears. I have read some prior posts from some experts in asbestos removal, but nothing definitive regarding keeping it in place. Any suggested threads on products and methods?

Thanks much.

[Minno]

I think as long as you don't sand them or break them, they are alright to leave in place. It's when you sand or break them that asbestos fibers get released to the air. Removing the tack strips might have released a little? Maybe? What do others think?

Kay

[DryFly]

I think Minno is correct - just leave them in place. For future reference, the adhesive used on this type of flooring also often contained asbestos, so if you decide to rip up the old tiles and replace them, you need to deal with that.

[Melody Ranch]

Your OK. Know what you have and work with it. There are many ways to seal any contamination off..Many. You have a beautiful start there...press on.

Any reference to California is simply an expression on that States demonstrated response to any issue.

[Cochese]

Just mop on VCT tile polish... Lowes & HD sell it

[Foiled Again]

"regulation happy" state. You may be required to remove the tiles before you can get a title or license plate.

The asbestos in tiles is not friable - easily airborne.

Sand, cut, break the tiles and you will release small amounts. In MOST states you can safely remove tiles like this with just a breathing mask and a spray bottle of water to keep the dust down. In California you MIGHT need air filters, whole body suits, and special ventilation with micro-filters to catch all of the particles (elsewhere you need this for soft pipe insulation, etc.)

I'd get some general information about asbestos tile removal in California. If your floor is solid you may get away with just glue down vinyl, marmoleum, etc. over the old stuff. If not, you'll have to decide how bad the cost of doing the tile removal is... do you just do a backyard job, or hire a contractor?

good luck Paula

[calais66]

In California trailers made prior to 1967 aren't subject to inspection requirements. Even so, inspections have to do with mostly exterior safety issues-- running gear, hitches, reflectors, etc. etc. Seriously doubt they'd give you any static over the tiles inside the coach. Lots of vintage trailers out there with these tiles still intact on the road in CA. Be happy with your find! They look great and are very durable.

Regulated state? Probably. But you can have asbestos tiles in your vintage trailer AND not have to worry about fertilizer plants exploding, so that's a plus.

[RM66caravel]

A little floor wax if you want to then camp on! The tiles are safe unless you sand them or yes break them. The issue with the mastic that binds the tile to the floor will be handled when you replace the wood if necessary. Use a particle flu mask and you should be fine.
Cliff