Old Asbestos Floor Tiles

Asbestos floor tiles were manufactured in three sizes.

Old asbestos floor tiles. One of the biggest factors of installing a new floor over the old is thickness. Examine the condition of the tiles. In addition to the tiles themselves a layer of mastic a type of adhesive below the tiles is also likely to contain asbestos. The best way to deal with old asbestos floor tiles is to cover them up.

How to remove asbestos tiles safely it is always safest to leave asbestos flooring removal to asbestos abatement professionals. No sealer is needed. In many cases installing a new floor over the tiles encapsulates the asbestos fibers and is an acceptable way to manage the material. Vinyl or asphalt tiles that have these colors in it have a high likelihood of asbestos fibers.

Common in homes built in the 20th century black mastic was used as an adhesive for ceramic tile linoleum and other flooring materials. Adding to modern confusion about which vinyl floor tiles from the 1950 s to 1980 s do or do not contain asbestos some lines such as the excelon supreme ca 1977 did not contain asbestos. That said it can be difficult to get a level surface for the new floor especially if the old tiles have chipped away. Vinyl tiles with asbestos are all 12 12 or 9 9 tiles with asbestos.

Carpeting and a suitable pad will do the trick. In floor tiles asbestos is used primarily for its insulation properties and its ability to resist fire. In a basement i d suggest a rubber based carpet pad rather than. 9 x9 12 x12 and 18 x18.

Even if the vinyl flooring is pulled up intact the old adhesive underneath may also contain asbestos. Step 3 date the tiles. Asbestos in floor tiles. Not all old floor tiles or sheet flooring contain asbestos.

The advice you received is correct. 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. That s enough to prevent the damage and wear that can release fibers into the air. When you remove that floor covering to make way for new flooring you may encounter the mastic and wonder whether it is safe to remove the main concern surrounding this question is that black mastic often contains asbestos.

One of the main ingredients used in old asbestos tiles was asphalt so they were primarily made in dark colors only. Vinyl tile is an excellent option for sealing in asbestos tiles. Another time period that asbestos floors were popular in was between the years of 1920 and 1960. One of the best ways to deal with asbestos tile is to leave it in place and cover it with new flooring.

If you are hiring a flooring company they may be hesitant to work around asbestos tiles.