Do Floor Tiles From 1965 Contain Asbestos

This article describes sheet flooring products known to contain significant levels of asbestos.

Do floor tiles from 1965 contain asbestos.

Vinyl is a type of plastic that has long been a popular material for floor tiles and sheets. But if you have a home built before the mid 20th century there is a good chance that the floor tiles contain asbestos. Asbestos containing materials can exist in one of two states. In floor tiles asbestos is used primarily for its insulation properties and its ability to resist fire.

Unfortunately vinyl sheet flooring manufactured with an asbestos backing poses a serious exposure risk when it is disturbed. If floor tiles were installed between 1920 and 1960 there s a good chance they will contain asbestos because most flooring tiles companies during that period did. Many older homes have asbestos tiles for flooring. Post a question or comment about how to identify asbestos containing flooring materials and what to do when asbestos containing floor tiles or sheet flooring are found in a building.

If the tiles were installed between 1960 and 1980 there s a slight chance they contain asbestos. Vinyl tiles with asbestos are all 12 12 or 9 9 tiles with asbestos. Resilient flooring is a nonfriable asbestos containing material as long as it s in good condition and as such no immediate action is necessary. But that changes as soon as you decide to remove it.

The asbestos floor tile identification articles in this series illustrate that with the combination of design appearance and an idea of floor tile age many asbestos containing floor tiles or sheet flooring products can be reliably identified even before confirmation by a test by a certified asbestos testing laboratory. If the tiles were installed between 1966 and1980 there s a slight chance they contain asbestos it is always best to undertake a full asbestos survey to be sure. The flooring tiles are 9 inch 12 inch or 18 inch squares. Asbestos containing sheet flooring or resilient flooring product identification.

As time goes by and more homes are remodeled fewer homes contain asbestos tiles. Identify asbestos containing flooring 5 easy steps to decide if a floor probably contains asbestos. Unlike many asbestos containing materials vinyl asbestos flooring is generally safe to be around. Nonfriable materials are those in which the asbestos is locked and cannot become airborne.

Asbestos in floor tiles. Like floor tiles vinyl sheet flooring is a long lasting and economical material and it also offers more aesthetic options to suit a homeowner s taste.