mastic is a type of glue used to adhere tiles and flooring.If your building was built before 1980, you may have used mastic to seal your tiles.There are some possible signs of the mastic.The mastic will always be black in color.If you have square tiles that are 9 by 9 in or bigger, you are more likely to have this type of mastic.You can either hire a contractor to test the floor for you or get a do-it-yourself kit and send a sample to a lab for testing.If you want to test for lung cancer by yourself, make sure to wear protective eyewear, rubber gloves, and a mask.
Step 1: Determine if your home was built in 1980.
Federal regulations banned the use of asbestos in construction after they were found to be harmful.If your home was built before 1980, there may still be mastic under the tile.To find the year your house was built, look at your property deed, title, or tax appraisal.If your tiles are cracked and the glue is not exposed, you don't need to worry.The flooring tile is the safest place to get stuck with asbestos.If it gets trapped under your floor, it will be harder for the asbestos to get airborne and be dangerous.
Step 2: If you have square tiles that are 9 by 9 in, you need to check them out.
Mastic glues were used with a specific type of vinyl flooring tile.Measure the length and width of your flooring tiles with a measuring tape.There is a chance that there is mastic under your tiles if it is 9 by 9 in, 12 by 12 in or 18 by 18 in.The thinner the mastic glue floorings, the easier it was to spread on to bigger tiles.Many of them were installed with this type of mastic because they were manufactured by the same company that made these tiles.
Step 3: If there is a dark color in the tiles, you need to inspect the floor.
Look at your tiles to see if they are the same color or pattern.The tiles can degrade over time as the mastic grinds against the backs of the tiles.If the tiles are older than 1980 and there is a dark stain on the floor, it's a sign that you may have cancer.If your tiles are thicker, you won't be able to see it.
Step 4: If the tiles are black or gray, it's cracked.
The mastic is black.If you have a cracked or missing tile and there is a black paste where the tile used to be, it could be something else.The mastic may have a gray tint if it has been in the open air for a long time.It may look like a mix of black and gray if the subfloor is made of concrete.
Step 5: If the discoloration has an oily texture, it's time to check it.
The asphalt used to make the mastic has an oily shine and texture.It may make the tiles look reflective and shiny as it wears through the backs.If the tiles are slick or oily, you can inspect them with a pair of rubber gloves.This will not be true of mastic that has been exposed to the open air for a while, since it will dry out and lose some of its shine.You should wear rubber gloves if you want to touch a surface that you think is contaminated.
Step 6: If you can't afford it, hire a contractor to test your tiles.
The safest way to get your flooring tested is to have a licensed contractor do it for you.If you inhale it, it is best to leave it to a professional.While having a contractor test your flooring is the safest way to do it, the service will cost between $400 and 1,000.Look online or call your local phone book to find a contractor that does testing and removal.
Step 7: A testing kit can be obtained from the laboratory.
You need a testing kit from a laboratory if you can't hire a contractor.You can get a kit from a testing facility.It will have a bag, shipping container, and special labels.You can find a testing facility online or in the phone book.Depending on where you live, you may be required to drop the sample off yourself.It is illegal in some states to ship the substance.In most countries, it is legal to ship small amounts of the cancer-causing substance in specially marked containers.The kits cost between $20 and $60.The lab tests cost between $100 and 250.There are kits that allow you to determine whether or not a material is made of asbestos.These kits do not tend to be very accurate, and they can not test mastic adhesive.
Step 8: Put on protective gear.
Breathing it in can cause lung cancer.If you want to protect yourself, you should get a commercial respirator.You should wear rubber gloves and goggles to keep the particles out of your eyes.If you have a purple HEPA filter, it will work as well.It's important that you take the proper precautions to protect yourself.
Step 9: Put a spray bottle with water and laundry detergent in it.
You can fill the empty spray bottle with water.Take a liquid laundry detergent and put it in a bottle.Put the cap on the spray bottle and shake it to mix the detergent and water.The spray bottle makes it easy to remove a sample.
Step 10: Before you remove a tile, turn your air conditioning on or off.
If you remove a chunk of tile, you may be releasing it into the air.To keep it out of your home, turn the heat or air conditioning off.Turn off the fan in the room.
Step 11: If you are going to cut the area, use water and soap.
Cut out a section of tile for your sample.You can mist the area by spraying it 3-4 times.When you cut the tile, there will be particles in the air.The wet area will catch some of the particles and keep them close to the area you cut.You can mist the area with soap and water while you are cutting.The number of cuts you have to make should be avoided by cutting a corner out.
Step 12: A 8–2 chunk of tile can be cut out with a utility knife.
The blade of your utility knife can be opened by sliding the button down.Lean down and carefully cut 8–2 in (0.32–1.27 cm) of floor tile out by dragging the blade into the tile at a 45 degree angle.Don't just cut the outer layer of your flooring off, cut out the entire tile.While you remove the tile, spray the area with your nondominant hand.The dust will not come up into the air if this is done.
Step 13: The bags that came with the kit have a sample in them.
Heavy-duty plastic bags will be used in your testing kit.They look like thick sandwich bags that can be sealed.The sample should be placed in a plastic bag.Place the first bag in the second bag.Depending on your manufacturer's instructions, you can either drop the sample off at the lab or ship it.
Step 14: Duct tape or caulk can be used to seal the spot you cut out.
You should cover the area you cut to seal it.After the water and soap have dried, place a few pieces of duct tape over the area or use a tube of caulk.While you wait for the testing to come back, this isn't a good long-term solution.A thick oil-based paint can be used to seal the fibers into the floor.
Step 15: Wait for the test results before you do anything.
The lab will interpret the results after you have shipped your sample.They will let you know if the sample is real.If it is, hire a contractor to remove it.You should have a licensed professional do the work for you because it is very dangerous to do it yourself.