Help with asbestos floor tiles

Asbestos is extremely hazardous to your health and removal should only be done by someone licensed to remove it. Since removal is not an option, I would make sure that the tile is secure to the floor and then go to Home Depot or other similar store and ask them about a sealant. Be sure you tell them you want to cover with a concrete floor as concrete may not adhere to certain surfaces. I learned that the hard way! I hired someone to come in and concrete my entire house and he said the existing ceramic tile could be concreted over and in less than a week, the concrete peeled up and I was out $7500 ouch! Good luck!

Did the landlord tell your friends that there was asbestos there before they moved in ? Are the tile deteriorating and falling apart in any way ? If they moved in with zero knowledge or if the tile is damaged , the landlord is obligated by federal law to have it safely removed and replaced or the tenant can withhold rent.

Use a oil base paint one that is used on the exterior of a building. If you need vacuum ( any dust or crushed edges )use a HEPA vac . Most vinyl tiles have about 9% asbestos content. So the dust will have more asbestos as it is lighter than vinyl and invisible. Close al vents and ,doors , so dust won't travel. after that open up all windows so the paint vapors get mixed. If you don't like the smell of the paint get a negative respirator. Do not use a particulate filter. et one suited for chemical filtering. Your lungs will thank .

Did the landlord agree for your friend to do something to the floors. Make sure he gets it in writing. The landlord is not obligated to cover or remove the floor tiles unless he is remodeling. If they are in good condition there are many options to cover them. This is known as "encapsulating". You can cover them up with new flooring. Wall to wall carpeting -- vinyl or sheet resilient flooring -- new layer of resilient tile flooring -- a wooden subfloor and new tile flooring. Since you want to paint use a good stain blocking primer like Zinsser 123 or BIN. Then you need to use an EPOXY floor paint, No other paint will work.

I'd consult a professional as well, and then consider DIY vs. hiring, just because asbestos are really important to handle properly!