Hi guys, I have a Q' for the pro's.
I'm getting ready to lay 1/2" x 5" engineered floor over a plywood subfloor, but when I pulled up the wall-to-wall carpeting and underlayment, I discovered there are old tiles covering all of the area about 600sq. There not vinyl, and not ceramic but an older style of tile they used back in the sixties. I think they used the old black mastic to glue it down back then and both the mastic and tile may have asbestos in them?

Now I know you can't answer on that for obvious reasons, but, and here's my question: I've been told to just leave them down, don't disturb them and nail right through them, they're about 8th inch thick. However the modern staples are only 18 gage, so I'm concerned that at the 45degree angle through the tounge they'll be deflected by the tile. (I'll be renting the stapler so can't experiment till I'm on the job) They're sorta made of a stiff material that just breaks apart when you try to lift them. For reasons mentioned above I'd hate to disturb them, so will the staples go through them?

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom

Cheers

soarneez

If you were installing 3/4" solid flooring with 2" 15 gauge staples, I'd say you have no problem. But I gotta be honest, I'm not sure about those 18 gauge and the deflection problem. All I can suggest is a test to see If they will penetrate properly. And go with the longest staples that will fit that gun.

Thanks Gary, I kinda figured that but thought I'd ask anyway.
Have you ever come across this tile product they used years ago?
Do you think the 15 gage 2" staples with a 1/2" crown would smash the tongue on 1/2" engineered?

With the renting process, experimenting could get expensive!

Much appreciated

soarneez

Yes. It's VAT (vinyl asbestos tile ) set with a cold bond asphalt mastic that also probably contains asbestos.

It could. But also may dimple the surface as well. Every product is different. Test and see if you can get it to work. I installed some Tarkett and Kahrs 9/16" engineered with my M111 FS (that's what they called for) and I had no problems after adjusting the shoe on the stapler.

Thanks very much for the feed-back Gary, it's been a big help.

Cheers

soarneez