How To Safely Remove Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tiles In Hampshire

Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tiles (VAT) were commonly used in homes and buildings constructed prior to the 1980s. Although VAT was a practical and popular flooring material, it has been identified as a health hazard due to the presence of asbestos fibers.

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was widely used in building materials due to its durability and heat-resistant properties. However, asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, chest cavity, or abdomen.

If you live in Hampshire and have VAT flooring in your home or commercial building, it's important to know how to safely remove it to eliminate the potential health hazard. In this article, we discuss the steps you should take to remove VAT flooring safely.

Work Area Preparation

Before you start removing the VAT flooring, you'll need to prepare the work area. This involves isolating the work area to prevent the spread of asbestos fibers. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Turn off the HVAC system: Asbestos fibers can spread through the HVAC system, which can contaminate other parts of the building. Turn off the HVAC system to prevent the spread of asbestos fibers.

2. Clear the area: Remove all objects, furniture, and equipment from the work area. Cover any remaining items with heavy-duty plastic sheets to prevent contamination.

3. Seal off the work area: Cover doors, windows, and any other openings with plastic sheets to prevent the escape of asbestos fibers.

4. Create a decontamination area: You'll need a decontamination area to clean yourself and your tools after removing the VAT flooring. Create a decontamination area near the work area by using plastic sheets and a shower.

Safe Removal of VAT Flooring

Now that the work area is prepped, you're ready to safely remove the VAT flooring. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Put on protective gear: Wear protective gear to prevent exposure to asbestos fibers. This includes a respirator mask, disposable coveralls, gloves, and shoe covers.

2. Wet the flooring: Asbestos fibers can become airborne when the flooring is disturbed. To prevent this, wet the flooring using a water sprayer. This will minimize the amount of asbestos fibers in the air.

3. Remove the flooring: Use a floor scraper to remove the VAT flooring. Start from a corner and work your way to the center. Avoid breaking the flooring into small pieces, as this will create more dust.

4. Package the waste: Once the flooring is removed, put it in a waste bag. Seal the bag and label it as asbestos waste. Do not use duct tape or regular garbage bags to package the waste.

5. Clean the work area: Use a wet rag to clean the work area. Do not use a vacuum cleaner, as this can spread asbestos fibers.

6. Shower and remove your protective gear: Once you're done removing the VAT flooring, take a shower and remove your protective gear. Dispose of the gear as asbestos waste.

Disposal of Asbestos Waste

Once you've removed the VAT flooring, you need to dispose of the asbestos waste safely. Asbestos waste cannot be disposed of like regular garbage. You'll need to follow these steps:

1. Pack the waste into waste bags: Place the asbestos waste into waste bags. Double-bag the waste to prevent contamination.

2. Seal the waste bags: Seal the waste bags using plastic zip ties or duct tape. Label the bags as asbestos waste.

3. Transport the waste: Transport the asbestos waste to a licensed asbestos disposal site. Do not attempt to dispose of asbestos waste in your regular garbage.

Conclusion

Removing VAT flooring in Hampshire can be a tricky and risky task. It's important to take the necessary precautions to minimize the risk of asbestos exposure. Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire is a professional asbestos removal company that can remove VAT flooring safely and effectively. Contact us today at 01962 458066 or email us at [email protected] for safe removal and disposal of asbestos waste.