How to Identify Asbestos Floor Tiles

It’s not that easy to just look at the flooring in a room and tell if it has asbestos floor tiles, but it’s helpful to know when asbestos was most commonly being used to help you determine if your floor contains it. If you have any doubts, it’s best to assume that the floor does have asbestos and treat it accordingly. Of course, the most accurate way of assessing the presence of asbestos is to get a licensed asbestos inspector to come and look at it. In the meantime, however, there are some telltale signs that will help you detect it on your own. In the 1980’s, it was popular to use asbestos as a floor tiling ingredient because of its resistance to wear and tear and water damage. If the tiled floor in your kitchen, bathroom or basement was built before the early 80’s, then chances are it contains asbestos fibers.

Step 1: Examine the Tiles Closely for Decay

You should examine the material closely to determine its condition. Asbestos will not be harmful if it is fully intact and in good condition. It is when the material is broken up that you risk releasing the dangerous asbestos fibers into the air, so if during your inspection you don’t find that there’s any cracking or other signs of decay, you can probably safely build over the asbestos with a different material; in this case, it is much safer to replace than remove it. Installing a cement or a wood flooring over the asbestos floor would work very well.

If, on the other hand, you find that the asbestos is in a bad condition or there is any kind break in it, it would be best to contact an asbestos professional and have them come in to remove the materials before you begin the work of putting in a new floor.

Step 2: Check for Discoloration

When inspecting the tiles, look for parts that are grayish brown, dark gray, dark brown or black. Vinyl or asphalt tiles that have these colors in it have a high likelihood of asbestos fibers. The main ingredient in the asbestos tiles is asphalt, so they were made only in dark colors.

Step 3: Determine the Time Period During Which the Tiles Were Made

Another time period that asbestos floors were popular in was between the years of 1920 and 1960. The flooring during this period was usually made in 9-inch squares and is quite a bit thicker than most of the modern vinyl tiles. Keep in mind that the mastic used as an adhesive for these older tiles might also contain some asbestos.

Step 4:  Send Sample for Testing

You can easily send a sample of tiles that you suspect to contain asbestos to a special laboratory for testing. The lab will usually require you to send at least three samples, so be sure to use a mask when you’re cutting one out. Use a utility knife and put the samples into a plastic bag that you should then seal very tightly before sending out. You can cover the area that you cut the sample out of with a large piece of duct tape.