mysterious opening in floor, 1962 Overlander

[Jim Clark]

Let me add the aluminum trim would keep the insulation between the warp and the floor in place.

Removing asbestos tile is not to bad you may want to do a search on approved methods. If I remember correctly you have to be sure it doesn't become friable. This basically means keep it moist, I think custom solutions are made for this and wear protection especially a respirator. Double bag removed tiles and the debris must go to a designated land fill. If in doubt treat it as asbestos. Check you local area regulations.

[DEITZ645]

Jim,
You are correct, friable is the key word. Check out this site for some answers and explanations....

What is Friable Asbestos?

I think the mystery cubby hole is a smugglers hold.

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by safari62

My 62' Ohio Safari original tiles were not asbestos type. I brought a section to a professional flooring person carefully wrapped in a plastic bag sure that he would confirm my worst fears. The toxic hazemat extraction of 45 year old tiles of death.
He said no they were not. I had stressed over this same thought for six months thinking this could be the biggest downside of restoration. So take a piece to someone that knows older products.

The only way to be sure that there is no asbestos contained in any product manufactured prior to the mid-70's is to have a sample tested at a lab that is certified to test for asbestos. Asbestos fibers are microscopic. No one can just look a sample and say for sure that there is no asbestos in the material.

[silverjunkie]

Hi; FYI-I sent a sample of the 9" x 9" tile to a lab. The tile itself was not asbestos, but it turns out that the adhesive used to hold it down contained 1-3% asbestos! It was a much worse job than removing tile, as I had to get a solvent and apply it to the (dry & crumbly) adhesive left on the floor, then scrape it up when it got soft. I had to wear a respirator, eye protection, chemical resistant gloves, rubber boots, and a tyvek coverall. It took about six hours to scape up all the adhesive and wipe down the floor with mineral spirits, and I only was sworking with about 80 square feet. Ah, the joys of renovation. Marika

[Minnie's Mate]

You were wise to have the material tested. Asbestos is a spiral fiber. Because of its shape is made an excellent reinforcement for many materials including mastics. It would have a certain stretchability in the material making the mastic flexible and strong.

I renovated a house after a kitchen fire a few years ago that was built in the '50s. There was three layers of vinyl floor in the kitchen. The bottom layer of vinyl tile was held down with asbestos containing mastic. We had to use an asbestos removal company to remove the kitchen floor. A lot of work for a small amount of flooring.