Flooring over old vinyl tiles

So we're redoing the master bedroom completely and also the flooring in the kitchen and hallway. This is why my challenge car progress has ground to a halt.

Bedroom was taken down to the studs, new wiring and insulation. Under the carpet in the bedroom and hall are 9x9 tiles, presumably containing asbestos.

House was built in 1953.

The hallway is also carpeted with what appears to be a single layer of 9x9 tiles continuous with the bedrooms. The kitchen has 9x9 tiles on the bottom, then a layer of 12x12 vinyl tiles, then a layer of linoleum, then a layer of 1/4" plywood, then the current layer of linoleum.

I'm weighing the pros and cons of pulling it all up (treating it as asbestos will walls and ceiling fully sheeted with poly, 100 series respirator, negative air fan setup, full body suit) or going overtop with a layer of plywood then my flooring of choice.

The tiles under the window have some damage and curling. Would I be okay putting plywood over this, or does it need to go? Windows are also being replaced, new ones are on order.

I guess i would be tearing up the floor to be able to establish the condition of the subfloor.  Maybe if you can inspect from under the home you could accomplish the same thing.  I personally just like to get rid of the stuff, period.  YMMV

That area around the A/C vent .... that damage may be caused by condensation.  If the vent is not properly insulated on the outside, it will sweat like a glass of iced tea in the summer.  That condensation has soaked into the flooring.  Might be damage under there.  Just saying.

I'd be careful to follow the asbestos rules, or do it entirely in secret, based on what I've seen on This Old House.

I'd be very concerned about getting caught removing or improperly discarding, but screwing a layer of plywood over everything would cover all your sins nicely.

Having said all that, I did that very job to my entire home in 1987 with no knowledge or concern, and I'm still alive.  My tiles almost all popped off the subfloor in one piece, though.

Covering it up is definitely the easy route, but in your case with old, decayed wood underneath, it's a tougher decision.  Mine was attached directly to a concrete slab on the first level of a tri-level.

Get it test for asbestos. You can send a sample into the mail. Takes as little as 3 days..

I thought my kitchen had asbestos tiles ( age and size) but testing was negative.

Edit: I know my county has a hazardous waste collection day and they take asbestos material so long as they are double bagged.

The house has a full basement so I could check the floor from below if I tore out the basement ceiling.

rustybugkiller said:

Get it test for asbestos. You can send a sample into the mail. Takes as little as 3 days..

I thought my kitchen had asbestos tiles ( age and size) but testing was negative.

Edit: I know my county has a hazardous waste collection day and they take asbestos material so long as they are double bagged.

It's probably not a bad idea to get them tested, but I have never in 30 years seen 9x9 tiles that didn't have asbestos in them.

The tiles themselves are probably hot, but the mastic they are set in probably is too.  Removing the tiles isn't that big a deal as long as you take care not to break them up too much and control any dust with a garden sprayer of water.

Removing the mastic is going to be more difficult to do safely.  With all those layers, I would consider getting it down to the tiles, popping the tiles, and then putting 1/4" underlayment over the mastic and leaving it in place.

I would also, as an exercise, get a reputable abatement company to quote you on removing both.  It may be hideously expensive, but it may also not be as bad as you think.

Neither the mastic not the tiles are friable asbestos, which is the trigger for scariness.  So handling them takes care but does not require not fear as long as you're tidy.

We patch as needed with a suitable patching compound and go over, sometimes with thin underlayment and sometimes directly over them.  The best plan short of an abatement company is to encapsulate and leave it be.  

Duke said:

rustybugkiller said:

Get it test for asbestos. You can send a sample into the mail. Takes as little as 3 days..

I thought my kitchen had asbestos tiles ( age and size) but testing was negative.

Edit: I know my county has a hazardous waste collection day and they take asbestos material so long as they are double bagged.

It's probably not a bad idea to get them tested, but I have never in 30 years seen 9x9 tiles that didn't have asbestos in them

 My tiles really surprised me testing negative. I had the mastic tested which was negative as well. 
The tiles in my basement however did test positive for asbestos but the mastic was negative.