whats my hosuse floor made of?

[steveo3002]

1950s ish built bunglaow , floor is concrete with some sort of black finish on it ...any idea what that is and do i need to take any steps to seal it before putting flooring down? thinking of some sort of vynil off the roll or interlocking stuff

cheers

 

[Kayos]

Bitchumen, just put underlay over it

There's a chance it could contain asbestos, but as it's encapsulated there is nothing to worry about

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

As above.
Was used to glue tiles down.
My parents house had the same.
So we glues new tiles over the evil, hard to remove and smelly stuff when you do try.
Then fitted carpets.

 

[Pete.]

Black bitumious flooring from that era can be asbestos reinforced. Not something to worry about unless you're chippig it out and even then it's very low risk but something to be aware of.

 

[steveo3002]

not chipping it , just wondered if it would leach through these modern vynil coverings

 

[Kayos]

not chipping it , just wondered if it would leach through these modern vynil coverings

Nah, it just stays where it is, harmless left alone

 

[optima21]

no should be fine, my house is the same, and the vinyl has been in the kitchen for 30 years, its worn now , but thats just foot traffic, nothing to do with the bitchumen.

 

[brightspark]

It has been there how long? 60-70 years and you are now wondering if it needs sealing? If the finish is still good, it will be as sealed as it ever was. Swill some ‘waterproof’ PVA over it and it should be quite water resistant from below - is what I would likely do.

dont use pva if any signs of damp it wont take and emulsify even though it says waterproof . if its got bitchy on the floor it will be waterproof anyhow

 

[steveo3002]

reason i ask , its my mothers house and she's telling me some lino they put down years ago discoloured and shes blaming this black stuff , was prob some cheapo crap
i think i will try just putting something down as is ...some of the how to sites make a right carry on about screed and alsorts

 

[mike os]

If you want to cover it prime as appropriate and a thin (3mm ) self leveller

It will be bitumen or bitumastic

 

[pedrobedro]

They used to pour it over quarry tile and flag floors to level and damp proof in one go, there could be a nice antique floor underneath it.

 

[steveo3002]

They used to pour it over quarry tile and flag floors to level and damp proof in one go, there could be a nice antique floor underneath it.

doubt it , its an ex council place

 

[slim_boy_fat]

doubt it , its an ex council place

Definitely not, then