Hello everyone. Hoping to get some helpful ideas on what we can do.

We have an empty basement (about 1100 sq. feet) that is completely covered with VA Tile, or so we believe. Last week, the entire basement flooded nearly a foot....this is probably the 3rd time that it has happened.

The tiles are a mess...many are sliding off, as the mastic no longer sticks...some have buckled and broken, and some are simply stuck like nothing ever happened.

We began removing them, using as garden hose to keep the floor soaked as we try to pry them up. Most of them break, but not crumble.

After we finish, we would like to paint the entire floor, as we can't see the point in re-tiling or carpeting the floor, when every few years we have another major rainwater sewer backup.

Do we have to remove the black mastic underneath in order to paint? It is not sticky, AT ALL, and it is as solid as can be. Scraping does NOTHING to remove this stuff! I've thought about renting a power washer and trying that, but haven't done so yet.

Can anyone recommend a good sealer for over the mastic? Is it possible to seal then paint over it? If so, what do I use?

By the way, we are selling the house this summer, and are trying to complete this project by investing as little as possible (the other reason we don't want to replace the tile with new tile!).

Any ideas?

Thanks

Good Stuff

Asbestos

okay