Q&A on identification of asbestos-containing floor tiles - set #6

Additional FAQs to help identify floor tiles that are likely to contain asbestos.

This article series assists building buyers, owners or inspectors who need to identify asbestos materials (or probable-asbestos) in buildings by visual inspection.

We also provide a MASTER INDEXto this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOXas a quick way to find information you need.

Identify Asbestos Floor Tiles - FAQs set #6

These questions and replies on how to recognize asbestos-containing flooring were posted originally

at ASBESTOS FLOORING IDENTIFICATION

Be sure to review the 5 questions we pose there and whose answers can help you make a reasonable guess at whether or not a particular floor tile or sheet flooring contains asbestos.

Also see ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE PHOTO ID REQUESTS for more photographs submitted for identification as asbestos-containing flooring - or not.

If your flooring is a continuous sheet product, see ASBESTOS SHEET FLOORING ID FAQs

On 2022-02-14 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - Rhinotex flooring asbestos?

@Melissa,

Without knowing age and location of the building and its flooring, we can't say by looking at your photo whether or not your flooring contains asbestos.

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos

can help you make a reasonable guess - short of actual testing.

It might also be helpful for you to ask the manufacturer of the flooring directly - especially if you can find a date-code on the floor tiles (check the tile back) or on the package. (Do post photos if you see more data on the flooring or on the box).

Your flooring is marked as an Armstrong UK flooring product -

The present U.S. and International Armstrong Flooring company (in the U.S. based at Lancaster Pennsylvania) supports products in the Americas, the Caribban, Asia, Pacific Rim, Middle East & Africa but NOT the UK. (At least not that we could find by searching)

but currently in the UK,

RhinoTex is a current brand of Tarkett - in this case a UK Flooring company still in operation:

https://home.tarkett.co.uk/en_GB/collection-C001945-rhinotex

Call Tarkett Customer Service +44 (0) 800 328 2115

and let us know what they have to say.

My guess is they won't have anything to tell you - leaving you with treating the floor as presumed to contain asbestos.

On 2022-02-14 by Melissa

Hello, Does this flooring look like it may contain asbestos? I have found the original flooring packaging in the loft of a property I have bought. Thank you

On 2022-02-04 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Debbie,

All I can see are some concrete steps.

On 2022-02-03 by Debbie

Can’t u tell me if this close stairs has asbestos plz it was build 1939 and refurbished 1996

On 2022-02-03 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Joanna,

Yes

On 2022-02-03 by Joanna

Hi, does this vinyl floor look like it is asbestos ?

On 2022-01-30 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - How safe is exposed mastic

@Steve,

You might want to damp wipe and HEPA vacuum the floor surface so that it's free of surface dust and debris.

At that point there would be, in my experience and thus OPINION, no measurable hazard of airborne asbestos from either the ACM floor tiles or any ACM exposed floor tile mastic.

Neither of those is a friable material. Old asbestos-containing asphalt or vinyl floor tiles are quite hard, and even the mastic will be either sticky and gummy or with age, also downright hard. Only by disturbing those by grinding, sanding, etc. would you be creating a real dust hazard.

You'll see measures starting at ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION

See details for a variety of steps including epoxy coating that we've used with good success to leave such floors in place as a safe walking surface

at

ASBESTOS FLOORING LEFT IN PLACE - keep it and cover it

where we demonstrate the success of using an epoxy floor paint on a 1960s asbestos-containing floor tile in a New York home. That coating is still in place today, nearly 20 years after the initial epoxy paint job.

On 2022-01-30 by Steve

I have lifted the carpeting in my basement after a flood and have found 9 X 9 floor tile with some sort of black mastic backing.

I am in the US in NY in a house built in 1964 and I am having a piece of floor tile that came up as we lifted the carpet tested right now at a lab for asbestos fiber.

Assuming it is ACM, my intention is to permanently encapsulate by epoxy coating the floor. It will be some time before we are done with the insurance company, get materials and have a date for installation.

I am interested in knowing the safety aspect of exposed mastic if it contains ACM. We won't walk on it, but is it a problem that air from our HVAC system Blows over it?

Until we know, we have shut off the heating to the downstairs but it gets cold for use of other areas down there. Thanks for the time you dedicate to this forum.

On 2022-01-14 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Ryan,

You will see very similar patterns to that flooring in this article series. While SOME older (before 1986 in the U.S.) 12x12 floor tiles don't contain asbestos others do. Treat the floor as presumed to contain asbestos or have a sample tested.

Do keep us posted.

On 2022-01-13 by Ryan

Just started pulling a tile floor in a much older home. Came across brittle 12x12 floor tiles with a shiny flake in the material. Can't find anything on the tile on this site. It appears theres a "12B" written backwards on the tile. Can't make out a manufacturer.. any advice or do you recognize the pattern?

It almost appears like the floor has been scraped of lino or something prior and even sealed.

... ...

On 2022-01-11 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Carly,

Your question and our reply can now be found at

ASBESTOS FLOORING IDENTIFICATION 1950's or LATER in the U.K

On 2021-12-11 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Kenny,

Yes mastic often contained asbestos as fibres (strength) and shorts (filler).

There are sealants that can be painted over the mastic, making it easire to glue down new flooring to fill as needed to level the floor before covering it with new material.

See details at ASBESTOS FLOORING LEFT IN PLACE - keep it and cover it. https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos-Floor-Tiles-Left-in-Place.php

On 2021-12-10 by Kenny

@Inspectapedia Com Moderator,

Thanks for this insight. There is some black mastic underneath that was used to adhere the linoleum sheet to the hardwood - does that usually contain asbestos?

Also - how do we seal off and contain this area that was disturbed? Can we seal it with epoxy and then lay flooring on top? Other suggestions?

Thanks!

On 2021-12-10 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Kenny,

From its appearance I would guess that that flooring was manufactured in the 1970s or later.

Above on this page where you see the red bold fonts text are some questions that you can address that help make an educated guess about the asbestos question.

On 2021-12-10 by Kenny

Hi, just bought a house built in the 1930s. Ripped up the vinyl flooring and found this white patterned sheet linoleum underneath. Husband pried up a corner to see what was underneath (hardwood floors but the linoleum seems to have been glued on top).

1. Wondering if this pattern is recognized to contain asbestos?

2. If so, how do we best seal off this corner we pried up? Other than this bit, the rest of the flooring is undisturbed - planning on just putting a layer of luxury vinyl plank flooring on top.

Thanks in advance!

 

On 2018-11-24 by Chris - my floor does not contain asbestos

(Mod) - it is not -

the flooring in my 3 photos was found not to contain asbestos.

On 2018-11-07 by (mod) -

Not sure, Chris.

Your last floor photo actually looks like a vinyl version of a small sized ceramic tile pattern. If the floor was actually installed in North America after 1985 it's not likely to contain asbestos. Sgeet0

In the article above on this page please review the 5 steps suggested as useful for deciding if a floor covering contains asbestos.

On 2018-11-07 17:32:02.715455 by Chris

Second picture.

On 2018-11-07 17:31:17.820955 by Chris

Wondering if anyone can tell by these pictures if this flooring contains asbestos? It is in sheets, but it doesn't match any descriptions I have read here.

On 2018-10-08 by Will - 30cm x 30 cm blue asbestos-suspect floor tile

Ok I Wi follow steps, thanks

On 2018-10-08 by (mod) -

Will

From just the information in your text and photo I can't form an opinion about whether or not your floor contains abestos, though I do note from the photo that it appears to be in very good condition. Normally you'd leave such a floor in place, covering it over with a new floor material.

In the article above on this page please review the 5 steps suggested as useful for deciding if a floor covering contains asbestos.

On 2018-10-08 08:59:14.486373 by Willwallsend

Can't tell if these contain asbestos or not and there is older tiles again underneath. Can anyone tell me? I've tried going through the steps I just don't have a clue

On 2018-10-02 by (mod) - Do you think this 12x12 peel and stick tile contains asbestos?

it's possible. Try going through the five steps at the top of this article.

On 2018-10-01 by Lisa

Do you think this 12x12 peel and stick tile contains asbestos?

On 2018-09-22 by (mod) - Has anyone found 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" asbestos tiles?

Dave

It is counter-intuitive to all of us currently to consider the practically infinitely-variable size of floor tiles, strips, and cutouts that were installed during the era of asphalt-asbestos and vinyl-asbestos floor tiles but yep we've had reports of not only small tiles but custom-cut tiles and strips at that size and smaller.

On 2018-09-22 by Dave

Has anyone found 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" asbestos tiles?

On 2018-09-20 by John H

understood. Thanks!

On 2018-09-18 by (mod) - have old flooring tested to confirm or refute asbestos content

John,

The approach you suggest is certainly an interesting one and it's appealing, but in fact if you want a reliable answer in response to a reasonable amount of effort and low expense it would make the most sense to Simply have a sample of the flooring tested.

On 2018-09-18 by John H

Thanks so much for your response. Are there resources (e.g. old catalogs) that might help me narrow it down to pre/post 1982?

Are there aspects of appearance or construction, for example? These have a distinctive 3-D texture, and are extremely flexible. I'm also a microbiologist, as it happens, and my examinations of torn edges don't reveal any fibers of any kind, just fine granular mineral particles.

On 2018-09-18 by (mod) Flooring - incomplete, amateur removal of known-asbestos containing flooring

Beth: no properly-trained asbestos removal company would leave flooring scraps such as shown in your photo

There are standards for asbestos removal - the process, completeness, dust control, and depending on where you live, asbestos removers must be licensed and certified as qualified to do the work.

"Not being able to reach" an area where demolition dust was left sounds to me like an amateur excuse for not doing the job.

Particularly when we can see the flooring remains in plain view around the perimeter of the room.

Watch out: there may now be extra costs beyond normal to clean up demolition dust throughout your home and its mechanical systems.

Certainly based on your description and photo, in my OPINION< if this were my home I would stop payment on any checks written and would not even permit such a company to set foot in the home again.

In many jurisdictions asbestos removal companies must be licensed. Check with your local or state or provincial health department, department of environmental protection, or equivalent.

On 2018-09-18 by Beth

Hello - we had a company remove our kitchen/laundry and front foyer flooring as the bottom most layer tested "hot" for asbestos (2 layers of linoleum and tile on top)

It was $8500 for approx. 280 sq ft

We returned to the ENTIRE inside of our house coated in a layer of white dust, the kitchen floor with a ring remaining of paper/glue(?) around the edge where they couldn't reach with their machine and the front foyer still with paper/glue on it.

This all feels very poorly done.

We're not sure what to do. Suggestions?

Is there a governing agency for asbestos removal services? Thoughts? Thanks.

On 2018-09-08 by (mod) Flooring - Does home insurance cover replacement of home asbestos containing tiles?

Lisa

That's a question to take to your insurance company. The company MIGHT cover flooring removal and replacement if the floor was damaged by an event covered by insurance, such as a sudden roof leak or wind storm or flood. Generally I'd think not in any other case.

On 2018-09-05 by Lisa

Does home insurance cover replacement of home asbestos containing tiles?

On 2018-08-31 by (mod) -

Jennifer please see your question and our reply at

https://inspectapedia.com/interiors/Floor_Tile_History.php

Help me out: when you post the same question on multiple pages you multiply my work unnecessarily.

On 2018-08-31 by Jennifer McKenn

I found old flooring in a room Im renovating. Its congoleum gold seal art rug pattern 326 dated 1928. Could it have asbestos?

On 2018-09-03 by mod

Pablo if the floor is intact you don't need to and should not try to remove it. Simply cover it over.

On 2018-09-03 by Pablo

Thank you, I appreciate your quick response and information. The size of the large black tile is 9 "x 9", small black 6 "x 6", rectangular terracotta 3 "x 6" and square 3 "x 3". this floor was painted until recently that there was a flood and the painting came off.

This house is old, I will try to investigate more about it. At the moment I do not have the resources to remove it, I would like to know if painting it again could be a temporary solution. Once again, thank you very much

On 2018-08-28 by (mod) - These 9x9 asphalt asbestos tile & others probably contains asbestos

Very likely yes, Pablo. The tiles in your photo of marbled black and tan material looks like cut asphalt asbestos flooring using three cut tile dimensions.

It would be helpful if you could confirm the age of the building where this floor is installed. I suspect the floor is from the 1950s or 1960s.

It would also be helpful to know the dimensions of the three tile cut sizes.

On 2018-08-28 00:41:47.053085 by Pablo

Could this floor be asbestos?

On 2018-08-25 22:53:47.243592 by Dj

Have old condo with 9” tiles from 50’s all in pretty good shape and want to cover, paint or redue, however I want to know how to reattach just a few tiles that lifted from the floor base that did not crack or break. No damage to any of the tiles. Just want to make sure the edges remain flat and don’t lift.

On 2018-08-15 08:33:05.146344 by Matt

I can't find the serial # data mentioned in the article. I have a stack of unused tiles that each have a serial #. How can I check?

...

Continue reading at ASBESTOS FLOORING IDENTIFICATION - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION FAQs-7 - next in this series of asbestos-suspect flooring identification photos

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION - steps to take to reduce the asbestos hazard
• ASBESTOS FLOORING IDENTIFICATION
• ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION COLOR KEY
• ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION PHOTOS 1949-1959
• ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION - steps to take to reduce the asbestos hazard
• ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE
• ASBESTOS REMOVAL, WETTING GUIDELINES
• ASBESTOS RISK ASSESSMENT
• ASBESTOS TEST RESULTS for TILE & SHEET FLOORING
• ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST
• DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos -
• DOES THIS MATERIAL CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if a BUILDING MATERIAL probably contains asbestos -
• RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE

Suggested citation for this web page

ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION FAQs-6 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to ASBESTOS HAZARDS

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