How to Tell If There Is Asbestos in Floor Tile
Asbestos fibers were used in the production of vinyl and linoleum tiles, and in the adhesive binding them to the floors, until the early 1970s. These tiles may have been installed in homes until the mid-1980s, leaving many homeowners wondering if their floors could contain this hazardous material.
While the only definitive way to determine if a floor has asbestos in it is with a lab sample, there are many characteristics to look for that can indicate the probable existence of asbestos in a floor. If asbestos is suspected, a sample can be taken or the floor encapsulated.
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Instructions
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Look for any records that indicate when the house was last remodeled, built or the floor installed. Production was stopped on asbestos materials in the 1970s, and the last materials used by the early to mid-1980s. A vinyl or linoleum floor from the mid-1980s to present day is very unlikely to contain asbestos fibers.
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Measure the tiles. Many asbestos-containing tiles measure 9 inches or 13 inches square, as opposed to the 8 or 12 inches that are more commonly seen today.
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Look at the color of the tiles. Black or dark-colored tiles such as hunter green or burgundy are more likely to contain asbestos fibers than are lighter colored tiles. Asbestos was one of the ingredients used in pigmenting vinyl and linoleum tiles, which resulted in a dark color.
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Look at the color of the adhesive. If the tiles are loose or missing, check the color of the adhesive. Black adhesives are the most likely to contain asbestos fibers in their makeup.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not attempt to handle suspected asbestos tiles or to remove them to bring them to a lab for sampling yourself. Call a trained professional to remove a sample if desired. Otherwise, treat the floor as if it does contain asbestos and encapsulate it or have it removed by a trained professional.
References
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