If you do not remove the tiles you will be forced to add cement to the grout lines to get a smooth flat floor.
Installing vinyl flooring over asbestos tile.
Installing vinyl flooring is a similar process.
Installing ceramic or porcelain tile over asbestos tile.
So where feasible it makes sense to install the new flooring directly over the old without removing the old flooring.
One of the biggest factors of installing a new floor over the old is thickness.
The main caveat is that all vinyl formats call for a smooth subfloor including sheet vinyl vinyl tile and luxury vinyl planks and tiles.
The installers refused to install over it due to the risk of particles becoming airborne.
This can mean even a small corner piece you may not realize could be a hazard but it would be.
That said it can be difficult to get a level surface for the new floor especially if the old tiles have chipped away.
In your situation for a new floor the most effective but simplest way you yourself could get a new floor over the asbestos tile is a process called encapsulation.
No other specialized prep work or treatment is necessary.
Sometimes the cost to do this is very close to the same cost as removing the tiles 0 50 1 00 sf.
If you are hiring a flooring company they may be hesitant to work around asbestos tiles.
Vinyl planks do not like to be installed over anything with grout lines.
Vinyl tile is an excellent option for sealing in asbestos tiles.
From the 1930s to the mid 1970s vinyl flooring contained asbestos which is not safe for you to remove yourself.
This isn t possible with every flooring material but it s often possible to install ceramic porcelain or stone tile over resilient flooring including standard sheet vinyl vinyl tile or linoleum.
If the grout lines in the ceramic tile are deep you ll see and feel them under sheet flooring and if you choose to install preglued vinyl tiles they won t stick.
Fortunately it is not difficult to install vinyl tile over your vinyl floor as.
If you aren t removing the old floor you may be creating a new floor that is too thick for doors to open and shut or for thresholds to have clearance.