Q&A on identification of asbestos-containing floor tiles - set #8

Photos that can 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 #8

These questions and replies on how to recognize asbestos-containing flooring were posted originally at ASBESTOS FLOORING IDENTIFICATION - topic home.

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

[click to enlarge any image]

On 2021-12-04 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Rachael,

There may have been asbestos in the flooring or its adhesive; as the original is now gone, there's no remaining issue except perhaps some careful cleaning of any remaining dust.

On 2021-12-04 by Rachael

My husband and his father replaced the carpet in our 1960s Santa Fe travel trailer in 2019.

I didn't think much of it at the time, but they also ripped up the original tile, and now (2 years later) I am afraid there was asbestos in the tile/glue.

His dad says "he has seen asbestos, there wasn't any" but that doesn't sit right with me.

I can't find much online for these campers so I hope these pictures can be helpful.

We haven't been in the camper too much the last two years but I am even more hesitant to camp! Thanks for your help.

On 2021-12-03 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Carl,

No surprise, considering that any demolition raises lots of dust and further, if there have been water leaks (as suggested by your photo), you may be stirring up mold or other irritating material.

You should be wearing respiratory protection.

On 2021-12-03 by Carl

Been breaking up this floor and it’s smell and hitting the back of my throat

On 2021-11-30 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@D,

Keep in mind that if the floor is in good condition and you're not doing demolition that would create a dusty mess, then it's not friable and not highly hazardous.

as we say at the top of this page

Asbestos is safe and legal to remain in homes or public buildings as long as the asbestos materials are in good condition and the asbestos can not be released into the air.

That is, the safest option recommended in the U.S. by the EPA is to leave such floors in place and cover them over with any other flooring material.

On 2021-11-30 by D

@Inspectapedia Com Moderator, Thanks. I did look at your article. I will try to lift one off to get more info. but I appreciate your opinion and will treat as if asbestos containing. D

On 2021-11-29 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@D,

We have seen the floor pattern before, I think it was 1970s floorng from the UK. I would treat it as presumed to contain asbestos.

Did you try taking a look at

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS?

For which a live link is given in the recommended articles list above?

On 2021-11-29 by D

Hello, found these under the carpet and wanted to take them off to see if there is hardwood floor underneath.

I don't know when they were installed though. Any thoughts? Thanks for being so helpful. D

On 2021-11-19 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@A Person,

1950s - more likely that floor is from the 1960s - as it's vinyl-based not asphalt-based

To address the asbestos question you'd either test a sample or treat the floor as presumed to contain asbestos

see

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

inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Material-Test.php

On 2021-11-19 by A Person

Hi! Any thoughts on if this flooring pictured is likely to contain asbestos?

US, mid-Atlantic, 1950s construction, basement location over concrete slab.

12”x12” tiles, glued down

Tiles are very thin and somewhat flexible, like vinyl or linoleum

One tore in half when someone was working in area; tile tore like thick paper, no chipping.

On 2021-11-03 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Jonathan,

Possibly.

For a better informed guess please see

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

https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Material-Test.php

On 2021-11-03 by Jonathan

Does this floor covering contain asbestos? House built in 1927. Thank you.

On 2021-10-26 by (mod)

@Mike,

That looks like a 1970s floor pattern that might indeed also contain asbestos, particularly in its backer.

On 2021-10-26 by Mike

Does this floral pattern flooring likely contain asbestos?

On 2021-10-26 by (mod)

@Frank,

You will find that floor tile pattern among Armstrong floor tiles that contained asbestos (and similar patterns by other manufacturers) and photo examples in this article series.

On 2021-10-26 by Frank

Are these 12x12 tiles asbestos? House built in 1956, not sure when the tiles were put in.

And here is the back of the tiles.

On 2021-10-09 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - Light tan floor tiles, 1970s Asbestos?

@Seb,
That flooring might contain asbestos if was installed in a building in North America before 1987. From a photo one can’t answer your question with certainty. Have a sample of the flooring tested, or you can make a reasonable *guess* at whether or not the floor contains asbestos by answering the few easy questions found at:

DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy steps that can help you make a reasonable guess at whether or not the floor you ask about contains asbestos.

https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php

Asbestos is safe and legal to remain in homes or public buildings as long as the asbestos materials are in good condition and the asbestos can not be released into the air. - US EPA

The safest and least costly approach is to leave the flooring alone, in place, and to cover it with new material.

If the floor is in poor condition or must be removed then see the asbestos floor removal and asbestos hazard reduction articles found in the ARTICLE INDEX at the end of any of these pages.

On 2021-10-09 by Seb

Down stairs toilet and kitchen contains these vinyl tiles built in 1970’s do they contain asbestos? Thanks Seb

On 2021-10-08 by mak.church (mod)

@Jayson,
Try adding an image before clicking the Comment box so we can take a look.

Only one image per comment but as many comments as you like.

On 2021-10-08 by Jayson

Does this stick on tile contain asbestos? it was underneath a rug from a home built in 1972. The only marking on the back of it said "AMTICO" no date or model# or anything. Thank you so much in advance if anyone knows

On 2021-10-04 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - Example of Congoleum Gold Seal Linoleum

@BB,
Thank you for these photos of your Gold Seal linoleum pattern which would be a Congoleum product. Another reader had a similar pattern that was tested and shown to NOT contain asbestos although we can't be certain that it is the same pattern exactly.

That photo and question can be found at:

2020-08-31 - by (mod) -
Tests found no asbestos in this Congoleum Nairn flooring
https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Congoleum_Vinyl_Asbestos_Floors.php#1950

That flooring might contain asbestos if was installed in a building in North America before 1987. From a photo one can’t answer your question with certainty. Have a sample of the flooring tested, or you can make a reasonable *guess* at whether or not the floor contains asbestos by answering the few easy questions found at:

DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy steps that can help you make a reasonable guess at whether or not the floor you ask about contains asbestos.

https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php

Asbestos is safe and legal to remain in homes or public buildings as long as the asbestos materials are in good condition and the asbestos can not be released into the air. - US EPA
The safest and least costly approach is to leave the flooring alone, in place, and to cover it with new material.

If the floor is in poor condition or must be removed then see the asbestos floor removal and asbestos hazard reduction articles found in the ARTICLE INDEX at the end of any of these pages.

On 2021-10-04 by BB

OOPS I posted before I asked my question. This the back of the linoleum sample. I've been researching this for 2 days now and can't find this pattern anywhere and I get conflicting answers on whether this contains asbestos or not. Any insights you can provide is appreciated. What do you think? I'm treating it as if were asbestos and keeping it covered for now.

This the flooring in the house I just bought. The floor looks to be in great shape, but its under some carpeting. I'd like to keep it if it's asbestos free. It is currently covered by carpeting. I found a sample of the linoleum and the back says Gold seal Linoleum. The house was built in 1960.

On 2021-10-03 by James

@inspectapedia.com.moderator, Thank you for the quick response and advice.

On 2021-10-03 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@James,

A 1979 UK home floor tile could indeed contain asbestos; short of having a sample tested, (in my OPINION not necessary here), you'd be safest to treat the floor as presumed to contain that material.

The better news is that there is only a quite-small area of damage, easily coated or sealed with various paint or coatings including some we describe at

FLOORING ADHESIVE MASTIC SEALANTS

https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Floor_Sealants.php

Keep in mind that asbestos containing floor tiles are not friable - don 't easily release asbestos into the air except when being pulverized by some mechanical means like sawing or grinding or chopping;

Just sitting there the floor isn't doing a thing.

Good practice would be to: Damp wipe, HEPA vacuum, seal the surfaces and cover with new material and/or with your new fireplace.

[Be sure the fireplace installation is fire-safe including clearances from combustibles, safely vented, etc.]

On 2021-10-03 by James

@James, here’s another picture that shows the pattern clearly.

On 2021-10-03 by James

We’ve just bought this house in Worcestershire UK, while decorating the living room and removing and old fireplace hearth we found these tiles. I’m really worried about the broken one with the gas pipe going through it as we’d left it uncovered for a couple of weeks before realising the tiles may contain asbestos.

The house was built in 1979 and the tiles appear to measure 30cm metric rather than 12 inches. Are they likely to obtain asbestos, and if so can we put another fireplace over them or do they need to be removed or sealed firsT?

On 2021-09-25 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@Kael,

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

In the Recommended Articles above will help you

On 2021-09-25 by Kael

Hello! We’ve recently bought an apartment in an old brick building in south est 50+ year old building, we started to remove a cheap floor reno from the previous owner and may have opened up a can of worms, we’ve come across some old vinyl tiles with a black adhesive backing (see attached).

On 2021-09-16 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@Ana,

you will want to review the article above on this page - which will be more-complete than if I try to invent the advice again as a comment;

Also see

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


https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php

On 2021-09-16 by Ana

My house was built in 1968 and I pulled out the carpet cause it got wet. These are the old floors that it had. Don't know if it's tile of vinyl but they are hard but easy to break. Do they contain apestos.

I have these old floors in bedroom how do I know the floors have apestos.

On 2021-09-03 by mak.church (mod) - Likely asbestos in 1980s brick pattern floor tile

@SG,

That flooring might contain asbestos if was installed in a building in North America before 1987.
From a photo one can’t answer your question with certainty. Popular flooring patterns were continued, without asbestos, after 1986. Have a sample of the flooring tested, or you can make a reasonable *guess* at whether or not the floor contains asbestos by answering the few easy questions found at :

DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy steps that can help you make a reasonable guess at whether or not the floor you ask about contains asbestos.

https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php

Asbestos is safe and legal to remain in homes or public buildings as long as the asbestos materials are in good condition and the asbestos can not be released into the air. - US EPA
The safest and least costly approach is to leave the flooring alone, in place, and to cover it with new material.

On 2021-09-02 by SG

Hi, we just pulled up our carpet in a 1980s addition of our house. We were just wondering if these vinyl tiles would contain asbestos. We removed staples that were holding carpet and one tile came up so we became concerned. Thanks in advanced.

 

On 2019-01-15 by (mod) - is it ok to remove nails through asbestos-containing floor tiles

Yes Joann.

Take care to pull tack strips or nails up with minimum damage to the flooring below, then damp wipe or HEPA vac up the work area.

On 2019-01-15 by Joann

Can nails be safely removed from asbestos tiles? Removed carpet now want to take out tack down strips.

On 2019-01-10 by Elizabeth

House built in 1950's, found these broken tiles when ripped up old carpet. 9 inch tiles

On 2019-01-07 by (mod) -

Mary

I want to help but with no information about your floor my best advice is to ask you to go through the 5 steps at the top of this page - that will give you your best guess at whether or not you ought to treat the floor as presumed to contain asbestos.

On 2019-01-07 by Mary Clark

Here is another photo of the sheet flooring I'm curious about. I need to know if it contains asbestos.

On 2019-01-07 by Mary Clark

Is this sheet flooring likely to contain asbestos? I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing this was likely installed in the 1970's because of the style. I may be wrong.

The flooring is very thin. A carpet guy scraped off a bit of the flooring and gave it a "down and dirty" test by seeing if it would respond to a magnet. He said asbestos will be attracted to a magnet. Is this true?

Can I rely on his test?

I'll include a photo of the flooring, which is currently under a wall-to-wall carpet and has hardwood flooring underneath it.

I would like to remove the sheet flooring and have the original hardwood, but I need to know if the sheet flooring contains asbestos.

On 2018-12-30 by Anonymous

Thanks for the info apreciate it

On 2018-12-30 by (mod) -

Esan

Thank you for the additional helpful information.

Surely you should treat the tiles is presumed to contain asbestos. If possible, as you probably have read in this article series, the best option is to simply cover the floor over.

On 2018-12-30 by Anonymous

The tiles are 9x9 the house was built in 1960 or around then and in auckland city nz

On 2018-12-30 by (mod) -

It looks pretty old to me, Esan, so is indeed a candiate for asbestos floor tiles.

Please tell me:

- the tile dimensions

- the country and city where installed

- what you know of the age of the building where it's installed

Also take a look at the top of this article to see the discussion titled

Asbestos-containing Floor Tile Identification in 5 Easy Steps

On 2018-12-30 by Esan

Could this be asbestos tiles?

On 2018-12-27 by (mod) -

the floor in your photo could contain asbestos, though if the damage you show is all, it's not, itself, going to produce a measurable asbestos hazard.

On 2018-12-27 by Jenny

I work at a company that has many tiles that are broken and chipped. The place is run down and hasn’t been updated since the early 80s. Could this be asbestos?

On 2018-12-20 by (mod) -

Yes Mike we've posted photos of that flooring as a common asbestos-containing floor tile - that will be the case for flooring in North America made or installed before the mid 1980s.

On 2018-12-19 by Mike

Hello, thank you for all the information available on this site. I recently had carpet removed and discovered these 12 x 12 tiles with no other information.

I couldn’t find any tiles like it on this site so I figured I would send a picture. Do you think they contain asbestos? Thanks

On 2018-12-07 by (mod) -

Mitch

Yes - based on pattern and age, this is a cork-style vinyl asbestos floor tile.

On 2018-12-06 by Mitch

Found this under old shag carpeting in the basement of a 1964-built home in Ohio. Looks similar to photo on this page, so curious if it is known to contain asbestos?

On 2018-11-24 by Anonymous

it is not

On 2018-11-07 by (mod) - try the 5-step asbestos flooring ID Q&A

Not sure, Chris.

In the article ASBESTOS FLOORING IDENTIFICATION please review the 5 steps suggested as useful for deciding if a floor covering contains asbestos.

Some (depending on type, composition, brand, etc) but not all 1970's sheet flooring in North American and other countries contained asbestos.

Or have a lab test performed and if you do, please let us know the result as that will help other readers.

On 2018-11-07 by Chris - asbestos in 1970's sheet flooring>

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.

...

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-9 - more-recent asbestos-suspect flooring ID requests

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE PHOTO ID GUIDE - home
• ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION COLOR KEY - home
• ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION
• 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 -
• FLOOR TILE / SHEET FLOORING PHOTO GUIDES - main list
• RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE

Suggested citation for this web page

ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION FAQs-8 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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