we have asbestos tile (or lead?, the inspector told my girlfriend not to remove it). We want to put vinyl plank right on top of the tile. Does anyone know what we should use to try to encapsulate the tile better and provide ensured waterproofing?
More info:
The tiles are sitting right on top of the concrete. The binder was some kind of black adhesive. Some tiles are missing on two corners about 3'x3' areas each. A couple of chipped tiles in the center area.
There's never been standing water and I haven't seen any moisture other than some condensation on the water in pipe. Relative humidity at most has been 60% usually 10%-15% higher than the 1st floor. We live in New England and a good part of the basement is above ground as there are windows that are a good 2 feet in height starting at the ground level.
We're looking to just cover this area first as there are other areas (rooms) in the basement that is bare concrete the previous owners didn't bother to tile. The room we want to cover is about 200 sqft.
Best Answer
If the tiles are 9" x 9" then they are probably asbestos. If they are 12" x 12" then they probably are not asbestos. However, the mastic could be asbestos for either. So, you could test, but there isn't a necessity to do so. I agree with you Inspector and leave them in place.
There are many problems pouring a concrete floor on an existing concrete floor (moisture issues, height issues at doorways if entire floor level is not done, reducing height in room, etc.) and I don't think it's necessary. You can install a new floor covering without pouring a new floor.
Regardless, if the tiles are secured (solid) to the floor, then you could prepare the broken/missing tile areas and install a new material over it without pouring a new floor first. If the tiles are not secure, then installing a new engineered wood floor on moisture barrier (polysheeting) on your "prepared" floor would be best, because you don't have to worry about the material "telegraphing" every defect through the new material. It's easy to install (snaps together) and you could probably do it yourself.