This article describes repair steps for water damaged flooring in a bathroom when the flooring might contain asbestos. Steps include fixing a toilet leak, inspecting for damage and/or mold, and removal of damaged flooring if need be.

How to Repair Water Damaged Flooring in a Bathroom when the Flooring Might Contain Asbestos

If it is unknown whether or not the flooring contains asbestos, extra care may be needed for repair and possible removal of the damaged flooring. We review the necessary steps below.

Of course, in the process of addressing the damaged flooring due to a water leak or damage, it is important to also determine the source of the water and address that repair.

Our photo (left) illustrates condensation on the toilet tank that may indicate plumbing leaks or private well piping problems.

[Click to enlarge any image]

 

 

 

 

Summary of Repair Steps for Water Damaged Flooring in a Bathroom when the Flooring Might Contain Asbestos

Reader Question: This vinyl flooring is from 1980. Do you think it has asbestos? Notice the dark discoloration.

Posted by reader Cyd, 7/30/2023

Moderator Reply:

Yes, sheet flooring made before 1986 in most countries, certainly in the U.S., could contain asbestos. Undamaged, it's not likely to produce a detectable asbestos hazard.

But depending on the extent of damage from leaks or the need for repairs at a toilet, the floor 'might' need to be disturbed or removed. Please see our summary of those repair steps below.

1. Can we inspect and fix a toilet leak and leave the flooring alone?
   
   Usually we can
• Remove any caulk / sealant around the toilet base (if present) by cutting carefully
• Then unbolt the toilet and remove it
• Remove the old wax ring
• Clean the toilet underside and the mounting flange for the toilet bolts
• Install a new wax ring (follow instructions on the package)
• Re-mount the toilet, if desired
• Seal its base to floor, then DONE
  
  
2. What extent of damage or mold is under that flooring?
   
   
With toilet removed, we gently peel back and look under flooring just around the mounting flange - avoid tearing the flooring past the outline of the toilet base


• If we see no mold and no floor rot needing cleaning and repair
  
  then follow the steps in #1 above


• If the flooring is wet but not moldy let it dry before replacing the toilet
• If the flooring is moldy beyond what can be cleaned in the area just under the toilet base
  
  or
  
  If the sub floor is rotted or disintegrating from prolonged leakage (not so likely with the small stain in the example photo)
  

THEN go to step 3

3. Does the flooring need to be removed to fix that damage?
   
   
   • If so, and if the sheet flooring can simply be peeled back, rolled up and disposed of, DO that - best course and has minimal risk of raising an asbestos concern - then
     
     • Fix/replace any damaged flooring
     • Install new flooring
     • Replace the toilet as in step 1
   • If so, and if the sheet flooring is glued down and hard to remove, and if it is of an age likely to contain asbestos, treat it as presumed to contain asbestos, (or have
     a sample tested for asbestos), then
     
     
     • Remove following asbestos hazard reduction procedures (we have articles on this), using wetting, dust control, etc.
       
       then with flooring removed
     • Fix/replace any damaged flooring
     • Install new flooring
     • Replace the toilet as in step 1
   When you proceed, post photos here (one per comment) of what you see when the toilet is removed to replace its wax ring seal. That will let us offer further comment.

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2022-02-25 by Al - Inspection after water damage leads to concerns about asbestos

@Inspectapedia Com Moderator, Thank you for the reply. I am only wondering if there was felt backing or vinyl sheeting under that tile floor in the first picture and the chances of it releasing fibres due to the water damage.

As it stands now the house has been gutted so I can't double check. I'm just curious about the liklihood that there was felt backing used in a small bathroom under tile? Or if there was initially sheet flooring?

And in either scenario how much would be released as a result of the water damage and small clean up I did.

On 2022-02-25 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Al,

Your photos show a history of leaks and water damage and doubtless some moldy surfaces that need to be cleaned.

Inspect for rot or other structural damage.

Clean / remove mold, dry the surfaces.

Asbestos was common in the backer on some resilient sheet flooring and in asphalt-impregnated paper ("felt") used as flooring underlayment as well as in tile mastic adhesives.

(This reader Q&A was posted originally at SHEET FLOORING THAT MIGHT CONTAIN ASBESTOS)

On 2022-02-25 by Al

Hey there, Location - GTA, Ontario. House circa 1967-68

Had the house tested before renos. Asbestos found in popcorn ceiling, drywall joint compound, vinyl tiles, and plaster coating on basement wall. All varied between 1-3 percent.

There was also asbestos found in what was called Vinyl sheet flooring in the report. This was in the kitchen area and contained 60 percent.

My question is in relation to one of the bathrooms in the house that experienced some water damage. See attached photo of bathroom tile. I am led to believe it is original because the wall trim is consistent with the rest of the house, but I can't be certain.

For some time there was leak under the toilet as the wax ring was not properly installed. The leak went unnoticed for quite a while.

My question is would it have been common for asbestos vinyl sheet flooring to be in a bathroom or for asbestos felt to be used as underlayment for tile?

I am concerned because I did clean up the mess that the water damage made, not that it was a long or particularly dusty job, but I did not have a hepa vac and was not wet wiping. The bathroom is above a crawl space.

What are your thoughts on this situation. There is white debris in the photo but I believe that was hard water deposit and debris from the shelf and box that was destroyed by the water. I will add more images.

... ...

On 2022-01-14 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - check for leaks around toilet base

@Gemma,

From your photo I am guessing this is flooring around the toilet. I suspect that there are leaks of the toilet base. Further investigation is warranted.

(This QA were posted originally at FLOOR DAMAGE DIAGNOSIS)

On 2022-01-14 by Gemma

We had LG Flooring fitted 2 years ago, which has developed white marks around some of the joins. Does this look like a manufacturing fault, general wear and tear or even an installation problem? This is limited to a couple of areas, and is not consistent with where water would land on the floor.

On 2017-07-19 - by (mod) - wet or stained ceiling below a toilet

Ben

Ugh!

If the wet drywall in the ceiling is below the toilet then the toilet seal is suspect.

Since the wet drywall has to be removed and the exposed cavities dried before you can put back new drywall, we're in fat city: just take a look into the ceiling above: the water stains and leak path are usually obvious.

Use the page top or bottom CONTACT link to send me photos of what you see.

Any wet insulation is also tossed out.

On 2017-07-19 by Ben

We installed a toilet in out upstairs bath. The existing tile make the access a tad recessed below the floor. We used a Sani seal instead of wax. We have seen no leaks around the toilet but last night in our garage ( below the toilet) we found pockets of water int he drywall... Is this due to poor installation? Could there be another issue?

Thanks!

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Continue reading at FLOOR DAMAGE DIAGNOSIS, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE
• BATHROOM MOLD
• CABINET MOLD & WATER DAMAGE
• CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS
• FLOOR DAMAGE DIAGNOSIS
• LOOSE TOILET REPAIRS
• TOILET REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE
• WATER DAMAGED BATHROOM FLOOR REPAIR

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WATER DAMAGED BATHROOM FLOOR REPAIR at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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