Removing 1960-1970s type vinyl flooring from hardwood floors

I am in the process of removing carpet from my living room and have discovered that there is a vinyl flooring adhered to the hardwood. I have done a bit of internet research and found quite a bit on asbestos and am very concerned. Should I be or can I just remove it myself? Any suggestions on how to remove it?

I have removed the carpet from the bedrooms and hallway and there is beautiful hardwood flooring underneath that will need a bit of restorartion to clean-up. I did find, however, in one of the bedrooms where 1 to 1 1/2 inch holes drilled out (two in the closet and on near a internal wall)...what would that be for? I figure I could just fill them and cut out a plug to repair it.

 

Are you wanting to refinish the hardwood?If this is a sheet good type floor(solid not squares)then it is true linoleum and does contain asbestoes,if the square type 9" to be exact then they are hot (asbestoes0 as well as the glue.Unless you are wanting to get an abatement co.in there to do this then i would leave it alone,the problem comes in when you disturbe it and the particles become airbourne and you breath it in

 

Encapsulation (covering it) will be cheaper in the long run than an abatement. The asbestos danger is when you get to the sand and refinish stage of the project. You may be better off to go over the vinyl in the livingroom with a new 3/8" hardwood floor. You would have to live with a transition strip where it meets the other areas. But the occasional transition strip is easier to live with than asbestosis.

 

It is one solid sheet and very thin. Almost looks like aluminum, but is a vinyl or linoluim....how can I tell?

 

linoleum is very brittle wheras vinyl is more plyable,but dont assume anything.

 

the flooring is very thin and brittle...any suggestions?