- Issue: Original vinyl asbestos tile (VAT) damaged: tiles detached, corners broken and discolored. VAT are no longer permitted. Primary source of water vapor from the concrete slab foundation.
- Constraints: Retain the original look, feel and sound, which addressing the newly-identified need. Avoid collection-damaging off-gassing. Ensure solution did not misalign with abutting structural elements.
- Resolution: Tile removed and replaced with a vinyl composite tile, a close match to the original. Water vapor barrier system passed Oddy testing and installed.
Flooring, August 2011 – September 2012
The original chipped and loosened floor tiles in the living room were removed. Given that the original flooring, called VAT, contained hazardous materials. and its use is no longer allowed, EGW identified a vinyl composite tile that is relatively close in composition to the original VAT material. The choice of this new material incorporated the Eames Foundation’s requirements that all senses be considered–from look to feel and sound–and that the manufacturer be willing to pour and tweak the material color under the eyes of Eames Foundation representatives.
The removal of the tiles allowed testing to verify an underlying moisture intrusion problem with the concrete slab. An epoxy-type moisture barrier was chosen in the interest of maintaining a controlled interior environment, as well as increasing the longevity of the replacement flooring material. This system is expected to handle the existing vapor pressure pushing through the slab, and is thin enough to avoid misalignment between the new floor and abutting building elements.
The moisture barrier system, glue, tiles and sealers were all Oddy tested under the guidance of the GCI to ensure that they would not cause off-gassing, which would have a detrimental effect on the residence’s collections.
