Identify Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tiles

If your building was built before 1980 mastic mixed with asbestos may have been used to seal your tiles to the floor.

Identify vinyl asbestos floor tiles.

One of the main ingredients used in old asbestos tiles was asphalt so they were primarily made in dark colors only. Wallpaper was one of the earliest vinyl products to include asbestos. 2 find out if any of the tiles were installed before 1980. Unfortunately vinyl tiles and sheet flooring that contain asbestos pose a potential exposure risk.

The vinyl acts as a binder that holds the asbestos fibres within a solid matrix. Whether your tiles are 12 12 9 9 or any other size they are all equally likely to contain asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral that lends fireproofing qualities to any substance it is mixed with. Mastic is a type of glue used to adhere tiles and vinyl flooring to the subfloor.

Check for any discoloration check for areas that are grayish brown dark gray dark brown or black. 9 x9 12 x12 and 18 x18. The asbestos containing tiles could be thick stone like tiles or they could be thin vinyl tiles. For about 35 years flooring companies included asbestos when they manufactured the vinyl tiles.

Vinyl asbestos floor tiles were produced by a number of manufacturers and the decorative tile patterns were varied often annually as styles and tastes changed. Possible signs of asbestos mastic include discoloration and an oily texture. Vinyl or asphalt tiles that have these colors in it have a high likelihood of asbestos fibers. If the material is in good condition it normally does not pose a threat because the asbestos is enclosed in vinyl preventing the fibres from escaping.

What are asbestos floor tiles. Mixing asbestos into vinyl floor tiles made them more insulating and resistant to damage. Vinyl or asphalt tiles that have these colors in it have a high likelihood of asbestos fibers. Step 2 check for discoloration when inspecting the tiles look for parts that are grayish brown dark gray dark brown or black.

It is possible to make a tentative identification of floor tiles based on the individual tile pattern color and thickness. For all these reasons it is very difficult to determine for sure whether or not ceiling or floor tiles contain asbestos. 9 9 vinyl tile and mastic. Asbestos floor tiles were manufactured in three sizes.

However here are a few ways you can identify asbestos in your tiles. Examine the condition of the tiles. Intact asbestos tiles are not a major risk and can in fact be left in place and covered with other materials such as carpet vinyl linoleum or concrete. Asbestos mastic will also always be black in color.