Asbestos Removal Spokane WA: Floor Tile and Mastic
Old vinyl tile and the black glue under it are quiet until someone sands, grinds or pries them up. We handle the removal the careful way, whole tile by whole tile.
- Whole-tile lifting
- Mastic handled separately
- Option to cover instead
- Waste logged and hauled
✓ Licensed and insured. Many years in business serving the greater Spokane area.
Floor tile, sheet flooring and mastic in older Spokane homes
Asbestos turns up in some vinyl tiles, in the backing of vinyl sheet flooring and in the adhesives used to hold both down.
EPA notes that sanding tiles can release fibers, and so can scraping or sanding the backing of sheet flooring during removal (EPA: Asbestos in Your Home). The glue layer matters as much as the tile. Many floor jobs go wrong because the crew pried up clean-looking tiles and ground off the black residue afterward.
An intact floor that nobody disturbs is a different situation from one that is being torn out for a new kitchen. Your inspector can tell you which one you have.
Where we find old flooring in Spokane homes
Basements
Finished basements from the mid-century often have tile laid straight on the slab.
Kitchens and baths
Sheet vinyl with several layers is common. The bottom layer is the one to worry about.
Under carpet
Carpet pulled up for a refinish often reveals tile or black glue below.
Entryways and utility rooms
Small rooms often kept their original tile when the rest of the house was updated.
Rental units
Landlords cannot use the homeowner allowance, so removal needs a certified contractor and notice (SRCAA).
Garage conversions
Flooring added to an old garage conversion may sit on adhesive of unknown age.
How tile and mastic removal works
The goal is to lift tile without breaking it and to deal with the glue by a wet method, never a dry one.
- Get the lab result. Both the tile and the mastic are sampled, because one can test positive while the other tests negative.
- Seal the room. Doors, vents and floor edges are covered, and filtered negative air is set up.
- Soften and lift. Tiles are lifted whole with hand tools to keep breakage low.
- Remove the glue. Residue is removed with wet methods and then cleaned off the slab.
- Bag and label. Tile pieces and debris go into sealed, labeled bags.
- Clean and clear. Wet-wipe, HEPA vacuum and a visual check before the plastic comes down.
What Spokane rules say about flooring jobs
- A survey comes first: SRCAA requires one by an accredited AHERA building inspector before renovation (SRCAA).
- The 3-square-foot line: Washington treats 3 square feet or more of asbestos material as an abatement project (WAC 296-65).
- Fee tiers: from $91 for jobs just above the exempt amount to $1,525 for the largest, based on the area removed.
- Disposal: tile waste goes to Graham Road Landfill within 10 days of removal with a waste shipment record (Waste Management).
See the notification guide for the full fee table.
Flooring jobs across Spokane
Flooring calls come from kitchens in the 1950s bungalows of Hillyard, from basement rec rooms in Spokane Valley ranch houses and from rentals near Eastern Washington University in Cheney. In each case the job is the same: a clean lift with a lab report in hand.
Places we serve
Back to the Asbestos Removal Spokane home page.
Asbestos Floor Tile and Mastic Removal: questions and answers
Is all old vinyl tile asbestos?
No. Only a lab test can say. Older flooring is more likely to contain it.
Do I have to remove it before installing a new floor?
Not always. Covering a stable floor may be an option. Ask your inspector.
Why test the glue too?
Adhesive can contain asbestos even when the tile does not, and the reverse is possible.
How much does it cost?
National guides show about $5 to $15 per square foot for floor tile removal (Angi*). A Spokane quote depends on area and access. See the cost guide.
Can I pull it up myself?
Owner-occupied single-family homeowners have an allowance, but rentals do not (SRCAA). Never sand or grind the floor.
What if the tile is already broken?
Close off the room, keep people and pets out and call us. Do not sweep or vacuum.
Old floor in your way?
Tell us the room size and whether it is a rental. We will explain options.
* Cost figures are national estimates from the linked source, not a quote from us. Spokane prices vary by material, amount and access.