Hi

We are putting in a new kitchen in our 1965 house.  It has rimu flooring throughout except for the kitchen and the laundry.  Since the lino was probably installed in the 80s I guessed it would almost definitely have asbestos in it (I cut a small square using standard precautions and it tested positive in the lab for chrysotile).  Originally the plan was to remove the lino and then sand + polish the rimu floor to match our lounge.

The asbestos seems non friable and appeared to lift off for the sample without any desquamation.

Has anyone had asbestos lino backing mat removed and what was the cost.  The kitchen is ~9 Sq meters and the lino area is ~6 Sq meters.  We are removing everything from the kitchen and completely re-doing it.  I would estimate it would probably cost about $3-5k to have it done professionally with an asbestos negative pressure tent, but I'm worried that there might be residual asbestos when the floor is sanded which could spread asbestos fibres everywhere when the floor sander goes in.

I also thought about covering up the lino with another either fake wood lino or wooden floor tiles or similar, however there will be a height discrepancy.

Q: Does anyone know what the rules are about sanding a wooden floor post asbestos removal? (I know that sanding machines are not allowed during the asbestos removal process), but not sure what the situation is afterwards.  Would they machine sand the floor with the tent still up?).

Q: Has anyone used a fake wooden vinyl that matched well with rimu flooring?

PS: This is in a home we are living in.