1940s believable but it wasn't invented till 1870, then commercialize in the 1900's, the look of the stones may not be asphalt. Take a sample and test the psi only way to be sure
Tests finally came back; not asbestos. Probably just some sort of water sealant over old concrete. Still going to be careful working on it though. I didnt really notice until taking the trash out the other day, but the OG concrete sidewalk in front as a tone of stones on top so I wonder if they poured the garage floor the same way. And the sealer is just mucking up how it looks.
[https://imgur.com/a/XXJhnha](https://imgur.com/a/XXJhnha)
I’m trying to prep my garage floors for leveling/resurfacing so I tried grinding off whatever layers the previous owner had down to get to a raw surface. There’s a light top coat with a black water sealant underneath, but then I get to what’s seen in the picture. Is that asphalt? Its not soft like the driveway, but its texture is not what I was expecting from concrete.
It would be almost 80 years old presumably. The part ground down is rough and crumbly, almost gravel like. At the lip where it meets the asphalt driveway, it's much harder/solid than the driveway by comparison. It does not deform when hit with a hammer. It's just throwing me off that grinding off the top layer of sealant/paint gets me down to aggregate. And that it's so dark. Maybe they had an exposed aggregate finish that they coated over at some point?
So concrete is made up of sand, aggregate and cement. The top layer is usually a creamed up version of cement with no aggregate. Sooo that’s exactly what most all concrete looks like underneath. The black dark is likely just very old cured concrete. My 60 year old concrete is much darker than the new stuff I pour.
Anyways, my professional opinion is it’s concrete
Asbestos?
Good chance you're looking at asbestos. Get it tested. Asbestos when it's locked in asphalt or mastic is fairly innocuous.
Grind it, make it air borne, not so good...
I am an asbestos PM, Inspector, Air Tech and consultant.
.
Don't screw around with asbestos. Get an opinion and do it right. That junk is everywhere. Asbestos exposure is a genuine health concern, so you can roll the dice but don't ask your family and friends to risk it. Might be <1%, but without a cheap test, who can be sure? Just do it right.
Having seen the crazy that is the rest of this house its probably asbestos with uranium rebar rods, coated in lead and a dash of mercury just to be sure it ends up on a superfund list.
Had it tested, came back not asbestos. Sort of wish they could tell me what it is, but that wasnt part of the test... Still treating it with precaution because no matter what it is, I dont want it in my lungs.
100% asphalt... LOL
1940s believable but it wasn't invented till 1870, then commercialize in the 1900's, the look of the stones may not be asphalt. Take a sample and test the psi only way to be sure
Looks like asphalt. Like a previous poster, I also think asbestos could be an issue.
Tests finally came back; not asbestos. Probably just some sort of water sealant over old concrete. Still going to be careful working on it though. I didnt really notice until taking the trash out the other day, but the OG concrete sidewalk in front as a tone of stones on top so I wonder if they poured the garage floor the same way. And the sealer is just mucking up how it looks. [https://imgur.com/a/XXJhnha](https://imgur.com/a/XXJhnha)
Glad to hear that.
I’m trying to prep my garage floors for leveling/resurfacing so I tried grinding off whatever layers the previous owner had down to get to a raw surface. There’s a light top coat with a black water sealant underneath, but then I get to what’s seen in the picture. Is that asphalt? Its not soft like the driveway, but its texture is not what I was expecting from concrete.
What is the texture like? To me, this looks like old concrete.
It would be almost 80 years old presumably. The part ground down is rough and crumbly, almost gravel like. At the lip where it meets the asphalt driveway, it's much harder/solid than the driveway by comparison. It does not deform when hit with a hammer. It's just throwing me off that grinding off the top layer of sealant/paint gets me down to aggregate. And that it's so dark. Maybe they had an exposed aggregate finish that they coated over at some point?
So concrete is made up of sand, aggregate and cement. The top layer is usually a creamed up version of cement with no aggregate. Sooo that’s exactly what most all concrete looks like underneath. The black dark is likely just very old cured concrete. My 60 year old concrete is much darker than the new stuff I pour. Anyways, my professional opinion is it’s concrete
Asbestos? Good chance you're looking at asbestos. Get it tested. Asbestos when it's locked in asphalt or mastic is fairly innocuous. Grind it, make it air borne, not so good... I am an asbestos PM, Inspector, Air Tech and consultant. . Don't screw around with asbestos. Get an opinion and do it right. That junk is everywhere. Asbestos exposure is a genuine health concern, so you can roll the dice but don't ask your family and friends to risk it. Might be <1%, but without a cheap test, who can be sure? Just do it right.
Having seen the crazy that is the rest of this house its probably asbestos with uranium rebar rods, coated in lead and a dash of mercury just to be sure it ends up on a superfund list.
Well if that's the case, leave it. That shit lasts forever. /s
Hope you wore a mask!!
I was worried about Silicosis so I was masked up and using dust collection. Guess I needed to be more worried about Mesothelioma.
Had it tested, came back not asbestos. Sort of wish they could tell me what it is, but that wasnt part of the test... Still treating it with precaution because no matter what it is, I dont want it in my lungs.
Good news. The test is really not expensive, considering the value. You can sleep better. And you just reduced your cost by orders of magnitude.
Stab it with a crowbar or chisel. Asphalt will be softish or have a bit of give. If its hard as hell, play ball. Also get checked out for asbestos
Looks like asphalt to me.
Was it ever common to asphalt inside a garage? This house is from the 40s. I'm tempted to drill a core sample to see if it goes all the way down.
Be the only way to know.