Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Nov 23, 2013 11:13 pm hi everyone, my house was built in 1930 and I was told the wool carpet is original. When I bought, I had no intention of replacing the carpet as it was in great condition and I love original features. Fast forward many years, the carpet is beginning to wear out in the heavy traffic areas (in those awkward places where we can't put a rug on top) and I'm increasingly annoyed that the dark colours and pattern in the carpet severely limit what I can do in terms of decorating! Also, we need to repaint, get new couches and the general look I'd love really doesn't go with the carpet. So we decided that the carpet would go and we'd have polished boards instead. I haven't yet tried to pull up a corner of the carpet to see what's underneath, but now I'm a bit concerned about asbestos in the underlay. Assuming there is underlay, as I was also told that in the 30s, carpet was often glued down without underlay! Having children in the house, I'm not willing to even pull up some of the carpet! And even if we change our mind and keep the carpet, we're going to be getting some heating installed which means the carpet will be cut in some places so there's the asbestos concern again! Has anyone had any experience with removing carpet this old? I wish I knew what was underneath but as I said, I don't want to risk pulling up the carpet. Thank you! Re: 1930s wool carpet: worried about asbestos underneath 3Nov 24, 2013 8:17 am gebtel -the why would be that she's worried about her health. It can be dangerous. You could ring a carpet place and ask them what they normally do when removing old carpet. The thing with ripping up carpet is that there will be a LOT more dust flying around than when ripping out asbestos walls. I would get someone out to test it. Re: 1930s wool carpet: worried about asbestos underneath 4Nov 24, 2013 9:57 am It's my understanding that when we're talking about asbestos in carpet underlay, it is only in reference to the old hessian type underlay and only applicable to the 1960's and early 70's. It was at this point that they were recycling the bags used for transport of asbestos for use in this type of underlay. The likelihood of there being much asbestos in it was minimal as the bags were cleaned and shredded and only formed part of the underlay. But there is a chance for some fibers to remain present. I haven't seen any reference to asbestos being used as carpet underlay in the 30's. Completed a knock down and rebuild in northern Melbourne. Handover completed 27/09/2013 and now moved in. Re: 1930s wool carpet: worried about asbestos underneath 5Nov 24, 2013 10:41 am I ripped up my carpet from my 1974 built unit, after I had finished the job I suddenly had this horrid feeling that the underlay could contain asbestos. I went onto the gov website, and sure enough found the exact underlay, which contains asbestos . I didn't wear any protective clothing either. Does worry me on and off, but nothing I can do about it now. Re: 1930s wool carpet: worried about asbestos underneath 6Nov 24, 2013 10:55 am thanks everyone. I forgot to mention I'd read that the adhesive used with or without underlay could contain asbestos and my understanding was that this was also applicable to carpet put down in the 30s. My main concern is because I have children, if we rip up the carpet (or cut in to it if we get heating etc), then dust will be floating about. We've had some relatives die of asbestosis so it's a little freaky to think about! I have contacted some companies that deal with asbestos underlay/adhesive removal so I'll wait and see what they have to say. Re: 1930s wool carpet: worried about asbestos underneath 7Nov 25, 2013 10:47 am travelbug gebtel -the why would be that she's worried about her health. It can be dangerous. That much we all know. You missed the context. My question was framed as to ask why the OP believed there would be asbestos there, NOT why is asbestos dangerous. Decogal answered in the post above this one. Re: 1930s wool carpet: worried about asbestos underneath 8Nov 25, 2013 1:15 pm Update is that I should hopefully have someone out soon to check it out. Which I prefer than having to send in a sample myself I will post updates here, hopefully they will be of use to someone! Re: 1930s wool carpet: worried about asbestos underneath 9Nov 25, 2013 4:21 pm qebtel travelbug gebtel -the why would be that she's worried about her health. It can be dangerous. That much we all know. You missed the context. My question was framed as to ask why the OP believed there would be asbestos there, NOT why is asbestos dangerous. Decogal answered in the post above this one. No missed context. The question was "now I'm a bit concerned about asbestos in the underlay." I didn't realise you didn't know there was asbestos in underlay so assumed you were asking regarding the "I'm concerned" bit. Re: 1930s wool carpet: worried about asbestos underneath 10Nov 26, 2013 12:05 pm travelbug I didn't realise you didn't know there was asbestos in underlay so assumed you were asking regarding the "I'm concerned" bit. Are you implying all old underlay has asbestos in it? Any proof of that? Re: 1930s wool carpet: worried about asbestos underneath 11Nov 26, 2013 4:07 pm qebtel travelbug I didn't realise you didn't know there was asbestos in underlay so assumed you were asking regarding the "I'm concerned" bit. Are you implying all old underlay has asbestos in it? Any proof of that? No not implying anything. There's no such thing as "all" in any asbestos related topic. That's why people get it tested. The most likely cause of your timber swelling (parquetry?) is either a plumbing leak or carelessly leaving water on floors after use or both. Without seeing, i am ignoring… 1 3282 Currently renovating, and our main lounge is 5m x 10m, with a cathedral roof peaking at 6.5m high. Currently have tiles on concrete slab. Room is very hard to heat. I am… 0 4822 What you are looking at is fibrous plaster, true gypsum, it is cast on horizontal beds with fibers included to give strength. I has no Asbestos in it. Houses before 1985… 2 7142 |