Fall 21 ORC Week Two: Demo
It’s week two of the One Room Challenge and this week is all about demo (if you missed my week one post, make sure to check it out)! I was pretty curious to find out what was going on underneath the wall paneling and carpet in my family room, and to be honest, I was expecting the worst. My house was built in the 1930s and the landscape grading around the house was done in a way that drains water towards it (something I’m fixing soon). When I ripped out the wall paneling, I wasn’t surprised to find signs of moisture on the concrete foundation and a little bit of mold on the back of the old wall paneling.
Under the carpet and carpet padding was another slightly scary discovery: old linoleum or vinyl floor tiles. Because I don’t have any information about these tiles or the mastic used to adhere them, I have to assume they potentially contain asbestos.
Asbestos is a fibrous substance that is found in many older building materials. Previously, it was commonly used in applications that required fire-resistance or improved strength and durability. Asbestos becomes hazardous to breathe when the materials are cracked or otherwise disturbed. Generally, asbestos presents a risk with repeated exposure over a long period of time, but it’s always best to minimize your exposure as much as possible. The rule of thumb with any material that may contain asbestos is to treat it like it does until proven otherwise.
(NOTE: I am not an asbestos assessment or abatement professional. Always consult with a professional before starting your work. Understand that when performing home improvement yourself, whether it is demo or electrical or anything else, you proceed at your own risk).
I know this is a potential issue in a few other areas of my house that have old ceiling tiles and linoleum flooring, and am always extremely cautious when working on them. I’ve been wearing particulate respirators, gloves, and eye protection, the work area is sealed off from the rest of the house, I’m using HEPA air filters and vacuums, and have been continually mopping the work area (this minimizes dust and potential airborne asbestos).
Because of this discovery, I stopped all demo immediately until I can properly encapsulate the floor. Removing asbestos can create significant inhalation hazards, so encapsulation is the preferred method and keeps the asbestos in place so it won’t be a risk for future exposure.
The product I’m using is called Perfect Primer which forms a layer above the linoleum that traps asbestos fibers. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find it for sale anywhere locally, but I did find it online and my order will arrive Monday. This delays my project schedule, but fortunately it still works with my overall timeline. I’ll admit this product is more expensive than I expected, but it’s worth it knowing that I’m taking the right steps.
The fireplace tile demo is being pushed to next week when I know the space is safe to work in again. Following the floor encapsulation, I’ll also be moving forward with drywall framing and electrical rough-in which I’ll share more about next week!
Thank you again to my amazing partners who are helping me with the One Room Challenge!
There are so many incredible projects being worked on for the ORC this fall, so make sure to check them out. And follow me on Instagram for more updates on our project!
