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Asbestos suspect floor tile in the U.K. ca 1950-1955 (C) InspectApedia.com JDJ Identify New Zealand Floor Tiles / Sheet Flooring or Lino That May Contain Asbestos
Possible Asbestos-Containing Flooring ID Requests for Kiwis

  • POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about how to identify asbestos-containing flooring materials and what to do when asbestos-containing floor tiles or sheet flooring are found in a building.

Photo ID guide to New Zealand asbestos-containing flooring products & examples of NZ flooring that does not contain asbestos.

This information will assist home owners or tenants in determining if their floors contain asbestos and then to decide what to do about floors in poor condition.

This article series includes a photo-gallery of pictures of floor coverings submitted for identification along with comments on findings, recommendations, & asbestos content. Readers can use our page bottom COMMENT BOX to submit photos of flooring to get help in identifying floor tiles or sheet flooring that might contain asbestos.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Asbestos-Containing Flooring in New Zealand

Montgomery Ward Plastic asphalt asbestos floor tile 1950 (C) InspectApedia.com PB Asphalt asbestos floor tiles ranging in size from 6x6" to 12x12" were popularized in New Zealand in the 1950's. Asphalt -asbestos tiles manufactured early in their life (1920's) were either black, near black, brown, or a gray-brown tone. Asbestos was used in flooring as both a strengthening fibre and as a powdered filler, including in vinyl floor tiles and vinyl sheet flooring.

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.

In New Zealand, people who worked in construction, plastering, roofing contractors, pipe fitters, and people who worked in the shipbuilding industry up to the 1980's are at higher risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma than are others.

Note that even if asbestos-containing material such as asphalt or vinyl-asbestos flooring is present in your building, that does not necessarily mean that you must or even should remove it. The least risky course for flooring in good condition is to leave it alone, in place, covering it over with new material.

Our photo, provided by a reader, illustrates asphalt based spatter-pattern floor tiles from the 1950's. Labelled "Pace Setter Plastic Asphalt" and pattern B154 (36) 2256, this flooring was described as a Montgomery Ward product.

The key ingredients in this Wards floor tile were asphalt, asbestos (up to 70% asbestos in form of fibers and powdered form), and dyes.

Lighter resilient flooring such as shown in our page top photo used a different base material: vinyl, but asbestos continued as an ingredient that could comprise as much as 70% by weight of the flooring product.

Do you need to remove asbestos-containing flooring?

The answer is "it depends" - on the condition and location of the material. Soft, friable (which is not flooring) or damaged material or material that is to be removed by demolition and that contains asbestos is at least potentially hazardous, while a residential floor in good condition may be of little or no measurable asbestos risk.

See ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE

Key Asbestos Ban Dates in New Zealand

Glass, Armstrong, and Chen (2017), in an article cited and provided below on this page as a PDF provide a most comprehensive recounting of the history of New Zealand's response to asbestos hazards over the eight decades between 1936 and 2016.

Advice for New Zealand Sheet Flooring or Floor Tiles

We have not located an absolutely reliable date after which no flooring products sold in New Zealand may have contained asbestos.

The country's ban on all asbestos, including in imported materials, was completed in 2016.

For buildings with floor tiles that could be assumed to have been installed in New Zealand before 1986, it would be prudent to treat the flooring as "PACM" or "Presumed Asbestos Containing Material".

The presence of known asbestos-containing flooring does not mean we should panic nor that we should undertake an expensive and dangerous asbestos removal project.

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.

Generally the safest approach is to leave such flooring alone and to cover it with a coating or with another layer of flooring.

See ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION.

If your floor is basically undamaged and well secured to the subfloor or slab below, I would consider coating it with an epoxy sealant or simply covering it with new sheet flooring.

See ASBESTOS FLOORING LEFT IN PLACE

If other areas of your floor (not shown in your photos) are crumbling, badly damaged, or absolutely must be removed for other reasons,

see ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE

IF you are faced with a requirement for demolition and if you are uncertain about the flooring's asbestos content and can not identify it through our guides, then you have a sample tested.

In that case

see ASBESTOS TEST LABS in NEW ZEALAND

References for Asbestos Hazards in New Zealand

 


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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2023-07-11 by InspectApedia DF (mod)

@Marie Waring (re-posted by moderator),

Asbestos possible in backer of old linoleum flooring in New Zealand (C) InspectApedia.com Marie W


That is an interesting pattern. It would be worth seeing our article (live link in the Recommended Articles list just above)

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

We don't know the age of your flooring but, unless you have it tested, it would be best to treat it as presumed asbestos containing material. See more about removing asbestos flooring here

HOW TO REMOVE ASBESTOS CONTAINING FLOORING https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos-Floor-Removal.php

And please do comment again so we know you saw our reply.


Continuing:

That looks like a bit of rather old linoleum sheet flooring with a backer of black asphalt impregnated paper. Some of those backers contained asbestos.

See details at LINOLEUM SHEET FLOORING GUIDE https://inspectapedia.com/interiors/Linoleum_Flooring.php

And tell us where in Kiwi-land is the building and the building age where this floor covering was found.

On 2023-07-11 by Marie Waring (re-posted by moderator)

This flooring is only glued at the room edges. Comes up easy.

(This comment was re-posted by moderator due to the Comment Box software posting it on the wrong page.

Marie, we hope you'll comment again in response to this message so we know you were able to find this correct page. Thank you.)

[Photo above]

On 2023-05-22 by InspectApedia DF (mod)

@Matt,

Thanks for the photo of that striking pattern, one that we are unfamiliar with. From just one photo however, we can’t answer that question. For starters, we don’t know when this was installed or the building age.

If you haven’t already, please take a look at the article above on this page, specifically the section:

Advice for New Zealand Sheet Flooring or Floor Tiles
Where you’ll see our recommendations for leaving the flooring in place or for its removal depending on your circumstances.

For more details on how to answer the asbestos question, see also

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

(Live link above in the Recommended Articles list)

On 2023-05-22 y Matt

I was wondering if this contains asbestos;
Thoughts?

Asbestos likely in this New Zealand flooring (C) Inspectapedia.com Matt

On 2023-05-01 by InspectApedia Editor (mod)

@Kirsty lewis,

There can of course be some condition at a building I've not seen that in turn argues that the old flooring "has to come up" but from just your photo I'm puzzled about that demand.

After all, the thickness of sheet flooring in NZ and elsewhere is somewhere between 2mm and 8mm - not something that itself forms a trip hazard or a troubling change in the level of walking surface.

Only if the new flooring was of a sort that must be glued-down would I think that the old floor has to be removed.

For a layer of sheet flooring that is un-damaged (no holes or cracks that would telegraph up through a layer of new flooring applied over-top), expert sources (and we) recommend that it's least costly and safest to leave the old flooring in place and install new flooring over-top.

Details are at ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION - minimise the risk of asbestos hazards in New Zealand (or other) buildings

https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos-Flooring-Hazard-Reduction.php

So please ask your installer to help us out by explaining what issue is being solved by removing the old floor. And let me know what she or he says.

If ultimately you agree to remove the floor anyway, if the floor in your photo is not glued-down, it should be possible to simply roll it up - without creating a dusty, hazardous mess. A Kiwi could do it.

On 2023-05-01 by Kirsty lewis

Hi this flooring is in my kitchen in Nz. House built 1985 and u sure if it would have asbestos. Comes in a darker brown colour way also as my grind has that in their kitchen. It’s in good condition so do t want to disturb but the installer for new vinyl says it has to come up

1985 sheet flooring in New Zealand might contain asbestos (C) InspectApedia.com Lewis

On 2022-10-20 y InspectApedia (Editor) (mod)

@Brad,

I don't know that exact floor pattern, but you can make a best guess by seeing

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

Let me know what you think.

On 2022-10-20 by Brad

Our carpet guy suggested we get our vinyle checked as it looks old. What are your thoughts?

Asbestos suspect vinyl sheet flooring in New Zealand (C) InspectApedia.com Brad

On 2022-05-30 by InspectApedia (mod)

@Jesse,

We would need more information from you in order to give a more definitive answer.

Where are you located - are you in New Zealand as this page suggests?

What is the date of installation of your flooring?

Are there any markings at all on the back or any extra flooring stored somewhere whose packaging may give more information?

What is the backing of the flooring like - material, color, etc.

You can see more about identifying sheet flooring here:

IDENTIFY TYPES OF RESILIENT OR SHEET FLOORING
https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Sheet_Flooring_Type_ID.php

and here

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

If you don't want to or cannot have a flooring sample tested, you answer the five easy questions below to make a reasonable guess at whether or not the floor contains asbestos.

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 2022-05-30 by Jesse

Anyone seen the pattern before, curious to see if it's got asbestos.

Asbestos likely flooring in New Zealand (C) InspecctApedia.com Jesse

On 2022-03-31 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator (mod)

@1959 NZ home,

That flooring style looks like those from the 1970s or later - so could contain asbestos.

As it's firmly adhered and if the rest of it is as un-damaged as that in your photo there's not likely to be a detectable hazard of asbestos shedding from the floor.

Best advice is to leave the floor in place and either coat it or cover it with new flooring material.

Details are at ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION - https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos-Flooring-Hazard-Reduction.php

Where in NZ is the home?

On 2022-03-31 by 1959 NZ home

We trying to work out if this is likely asbestos. It's a sheet, unsure of year of the vinyl. It's stuck down really firm. Can't even figure out the brand :( any help appreciated .

1959 or later New Zealand flooring may contain asbestos (C) InspectApedia.com NZ

On 2021-10-19 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@Robyn Maggs,

Okay this is a different matter.

In your photo I see what looks like shttt flooring backer stuck to the original wood floor.

The material that's there may indeed contain asbestos and may be fairly soft and friable.

It would either be removed using a wet process and then the surface cleaned and HEPA vacuumed

Or if there was no chance of ever wanting to restore the wood floor, it could be sealed with an asbestos sealant paint such as those discussed in this article series, then covered with new flooring.

The least you would do would be to cover that floor with a new layer of sheet vinyl or other flooring material.

On 2021-10-19 y inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@Anonymous,

Doing nothing else it would be prudent to treat the floor is presumed to contain asbestos. Such flooring is safe and legal to leave in place as long as it's not being damaged or chopped sonar ground at cetera. But best practice is to cover it with new material.

On 2021-10-18 by Robyn Maggs

Old asbestos-suspect flooring backer, Palmerston North, New Zealand (C) InspectApedia.com Maggs

@danjoefriedman, the house was built in 1947. Palmerston North. Thank you

On 2021-10-18 21:00:45.055575 by danjoefriedman (mod)

@Robyn Maggs,

Sorry I don't know the photo to which you refer;

The chance that a floor material contains asbestos can be guessed (short of actual testing) by knowing the age of the floor or at least the age of the building, and of course the country - here presumably New Zealand.

On 2021-10-18 by Robyn Maggs

We have a small area of grey papery matted substance as seen in the photo at the top, 11/29/2020.
Can you please confirm that it is not likely to be asbestos - it is grey, not white. The lino or flooring has been removed, this was under carpet. Thank you

Question:

Cork (not asbestos) and vinyl flooring with possible asbestos backer - New Zealand (C) InspectApedia.com Olivia2020/11/29 Olivia said:

We lifted up some newish vinyl in our kitchen and found old cork tiles underneath also covering the floor. Hubby already hacked away at some so now we can't leave it down to cover over.

Our new vinyl is being installed in a week. Just wondering if you think this grey papery backing/adhesive would be asbestos? Our house was built late 1950's. No labels on back of cork tiles from what we can see so far. We are in New Zealand.

Moderator reply:

True cork flooring is not an asbestos product, but yes a white papery backer on vinyl flooring sold in New Zealand may contain asbestos.

If you can guess at when that top flooring layer was installed that would be a clue.

The New Zealand Ministry of Health points out that

Walls and floors around wood-burning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets.

Asbestos is found in some vinyl floor tiles and linoleum, and as backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives.

but notes in general that

People can be exposed to higher levels of airborne asbestos inside their homes than levels in outdoor air, usually as a result of cutting or drilling through asbestos-cement materials or sanding down asbestos-containing surfaces, linoleum or tiles during home maintenance, renovating, repair and remodelling. Fibres are released when physical actions (deliberate or accidental) disturb the surface.

Exposure levels indoors depend on the type of asbestos and its condition. Constant exposure to crumbly or powdery (friable), damaged, exposed or poorly maintained asbestos materials may increase the health risk.

Watch out: what this means is that if you need to remove asbestos-suspect flooring and can do so by picking it up or rolling it up the potential asbestos hazard is very small, but at the same time you should not chop, grind, saw, sand, or otherwise treat any asbestos-suspect flooring in a way as to create a dusty mess: that would be potentially dangerous.

Details are at

ASBESTOS in the HOME - New Zealand Ministry of Health [PDF] download cited above on this page.

On 2019-10-26 - by (mod) - Possible asbestos in 1984-1985 Armstrong sheet flooring in New Zealand

Asbestos in New Zealand flooring at InspectApedia.com

Liz

A flooring a similar to patterns that did contain asbestos but of course one can't be certain without an actual test.

DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php

will be helpful for you

On 2019-10-26 by Liz

Sorry i forgot to add the words to the previous post.

Could anyone tell me if this flooring is asbestos?

House built: 1984-1985

Country: New Zealand

Sheet not tiles.

White middle and backed.

The small piece i removed from the concrete floor (for the picture of backing) came up easily, didnt need to heat or scrape it, did not leave any backing paper of any kind on the concrete, nor glue that i could see.

This needs to come up as water under it due to a pipe bursting.
Regards,
Liz

HiYa, Can anyone identify if this is asbsetos sheet Flooring, from Armstrong, No paper backing left on floor at all, just pulls straight off the concrete floor without heat or scraping.

I have looked through and can not see this pattern displayed anywhere.

On 2019-10-26 by (mod) - Asbestos-suspect 1984-1985 Armstrong vinyl sheet flooring in New Zealand

Liz

Amstrong did produce sheet flooring in similar patterns that did contain asbestos but of course one can't be certain without an actual test.

DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS?

will be helpful for you

This Q&A were posted originally

at ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION PHOTOS 1949-1959

On 2018-11-09 by (mod) - asbestos in New Zealand flooring

Melanie

It's a reasonable assumption that the floor in your photo contains asbestos IF in fact the floor is likely to be as old as the home. Is this home on North or South Island?

Asphalt asbestos floor tiles ranging in size from 6x6" to 12x12" were popularized in North America, the U.K. and possibly Australia & New Zealand in the 1950's.

Vinyl asbestos flooring was, of course, sold and installed later and is probably what you have there.

If the floor needs to be removed because it's so rough that it can't just be covered over, why not test a sample? It's not costly:

see ASBESTOS TEST LABS in NEW ZEALAND

and let us know what you're told

On 2018-11-09 by Melanie

I showed someone a picture of a house I brought and they said the tiles may have asbestos
I have attached a picture [shown above, blue and white floor tiles in a New Zealand kitchen].

Are you able to confirm.
The house was built in New Zealand in the 1960

IMAGE LOST by older version of Comments code - now fixed. Please re-post the image if you can. Sorry. Mod.

On 2018-11-09 by (mod) - 1960- vintage asbestos-containing floor tiles in New Zealand?

Melanie

It's a reasonable assumption that the floor in your photo contains asbestos IF in fact the floor is likely to be as old as the home. Is this home on North or South Island?

Asphalt asbestos floor tiles ranging in size from 6x6" to 12x12" were popularized in North America, the U.K. and possibly Australia & New Zealand in the 1950's.

Vinyl asbestos flooring was, of course, sold and installed later and is probably what you have there.

If the floor needs to be removed because it's so rough that it can't just be covered over, why not test a sample?

It's not costly: see ASBESTOS TEST LABS in NEW ZEALAND and let us know what you're told

On 2018-09-06 by (mod) -

1950s jute backed flooring with whit backer might contain asbestos (C) Inspectapedia.com Sam

I see a jute backer that wouldn't be asbestos but I'm unsure about the white backing material that looks as if that's another layer.

Jute-backed flooring might be referred to as sheet flooring, resilient sheet flooring, or speaking loosely, "linoleum".

It's the white backing material that's asbestos suspect and that is not itself jute. Jute is the "burlap" like fabric.

On 2018-09-06 by Sam

Is this linoleum or Vinyl? It's in a kitchen & bathroom floor of a 1950's property we are renovating in New Zealand. Not sure whether to be concerned about asbestos...Thanks in advance!

...

Continue reading  at DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos - , or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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ASBESTOS FLOORING IDENTIFICATION 1950's or LATER in New Zealand at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


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