Can You Put Plywood Over Asbestos Tile

Asbestos tiles were commonly used in homes and buildings constructed before the 1980s. While asbestos was banned in the United States in 1978 due to its health hazards, many older homes still contain asbestos tiles. If you're considering renovating a home with asbestos tiles, you may be wondering if you can put plywood over them. The answer is yes, you can put plywood over asbestos tiles, but it's important to take precautions to avoid exposure to asbestos fibers.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once used in a variety of building materials, including tiles, roofing, and insulation. However, asbestos is known to cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to these diseases, which is why it's important to take precautions when working with asbestos-containing materials.

If you're planning to put plywood over asbestos tiles, it's important to wear a respirator to protect yourself from inhaling asbestos fibers. You should also wet the tiles with water before you start working to help prevent the fibers from becoming airborne. Once the tiles are wet, you can cover them with 1/4-inch-thick plywood.

The plywood will act as a barrier between the asbestos tiles and the air, helping to prevent the fibers from becoming airborne. You should also seal the edges of the plywood with caulk or another sealant to prevent asbestos fibers from escaping.

In addition to putting plywood over asbestos tiles, you can also encapsulate the tiles with a special coating. Encapsulation involves applying a sealant to the tiles to create a barrier between the fibers and the air. Encapsulation is a less expensive option than removing asbestos tiles, but it's not as effective at preventing the fibers from becoming airborne.

If you're not comfortable working with asbestos-containing materials, you should hire a professional to remove the tiles for you. Asbestos removal is a dangerous job, and it's important to leave it to the professionals.

If you're concerned about asbestos exposure, you can have your home tested for asbestos. A professional asbestos inspector can collect samples of building materials and send them to a laboratory for testing. If asbestos is found in your home, you can take steps to reduce your exposure to the fibers.