Identify Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tiles

The asbestos containing tiles could be thick stone like tiles or they could be thin vinyl tiles.

Identify vinyl asbestos floor tiles.

But the flooring companies aim wasn t so much to make the floor tiles fireproof as it was to make the tiles more durable. Mixing asbestos into vinyl floor tiles made them more insulating and resistant to damage. For about 35 years flooring companies included asbestos when they manufactured the vinyl tiles. The vinyl acts as a binder that holds the asbestos fibres within a solid matrix.

Examine the condition of the tiles. Asbestos mastic will also always be black in color. One of the main ingredients used in old asbestos tiles was asphalt so they were primarily made in dark colors only. 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. 2 find out if any of the tiles were installed before 1980. Mastic is a type of glue used to adhere tiles and vinyl flooring to the subfloor. Asbestos is a mineral that lends fireproofing qualities to any substance it is mixed with.

It is possible to make a tentative identification of floor tiles based on the individual tile pattern color and thickness. Step 2 check for discoloration when inspecting the tiles look for parts that are grayish brown dark gray dark brown or black. What are asbestos floor tiles. 9 x9 12 x12 and 18 x18.

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. For all these reasons it is very difficult to determine for sure whether or not ceiling or floor tiles contain asbestos. Asbestos floor tiles were manufactured in three sizes. 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.

9 9 vinyl tile and mastic. Unfortunately vinyl tiles and sheet flooring that contain asbestos pose a potential exposure risk. Wallpaper was one of the earliest vinyl products to include asbestos. Check for any discoloration check for areas that are grayish brown dark gray dark brown or black.

Asbestos tiles can be difficult to identify because you can t see the asbestos in the tile. Whether your tiles are 12 12 9 9 or any other size they are all equally likely to contain asbestos. Vinyl or asphalt tiles that have these colors in it have a high likelihood of asbestos fibers. However here are a few ways you can identify asbestos in your tiles.