Identify Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tiles

Asbestos tiles can be difficult to identify because you can t see the asbestos in the tile.

Identify vinyl asbestos floor tiles.

Mixing asbestos into vinyl floor tiles made them more insulating and resistant to damage. Check for any discoloration check for areas that are grayish brown dark gray dark brown or black. Examine the condition of the tiles. 9 x9 12 x12 and 18 x18.

It is possible to make a tentative identification of floor tiles based on the individual tile pattern color and thickness. Vinyl or asphalt tiles that have these colors in it have a high likelihood of asbestos fibers. 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. Unfortunately vinyl tiles and sheet flooring that contain asbestos pose a potential exposure risk.

9 9 vinyl tile and mastic. 2 find out if any of the tiles were installed before 1980. Vinyl or asphalt tiles that have these colors in it have a high likelihood of asbestos fibers. Vinyl floor tiles are resilient and cheap making them a logical choice for floors that must withstand constant wear and tear such as in businesses schools and hospitals.

The asbestos containing tiles could be thick stone like tiles or they could be thin vinyl tiles. Wallpaper was one of the earliest vinyl products to include asbestos. One of the main ingredients used in old asbestos tiles was asphalt so they were primarily made in dark colors only. For about 35 years flooring companies included asbestos when they manufactured the vinyl tiles.

Asbestos is a mineral that lends fireproofing qualities to any substance it is mixed with. Whether your tiles are 12 12 9 9 or any other size they are all equally likely to contain asbestos. What are asbestos floor tiles. However here are a few ways you can identify asbestos in your 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. Asbestos floor tiles were manufactured in three sizes. The vinyl acts as a binder that holds the asbestos fibres within a solid matrix. Asbestos mastic will also always be black in color.

If your building was built before 1980 mastic mixed with asbestos may have been used to seal your tiles to the floor. Possible signs of asbestos mastic include discoloration and an oily texture. Mastic is a type of glue used to adhere tiles and vinyl flooring to the subfloor. Step 2 check for discoloration when inspecting the tiles look for parts that are grayish brown dark gray dark brown or black.