Asbestos-containing sheet flooring or resilient flooring FAQs:

Questions & answers about how to identify sheet flooring or resilient flooring that contains absbestos & what to do about asbestos in sheet flooring, resilient flooring or what some readers call "linoleum".

Page top photo: Congoleum flooring from a Congoleum sheet flooring catalog.

True linoleum flooring does not contain asbestos but some other sheet flooring products do. Asbestos was widely used as a filler in both asphalt-based and some vinyl based floor tiles of varying thicknesses, and extending to some thin, flexible self-adhesive backed tiles as well as some sheet flooring.

This article series describes sheet flooring products known to contain significant levels of asbestos. We also include photographs for identification of known asbestos-containing resilient sheet flooring as well as unknown flooring submitted for identification.

FAQs about Asbestos in Resilient Flooring or Sheet Flooring

These questions and answers about identification of and asbestos content in older types of sheet flooring, linoleum, linoleum rugs, Armstrong sheet flooring, Congoleum and other products, were posted originally

at IDENTIFY SHEET FLOORING TYPE, HOW TO - be sure to see that article.

The photos and questions are arranged in order from oldest floor coverings (used in the 1800's to early 1900's) to the present.

Shown at above/left, antique jute-backed sheet flooring. Included here for contrast, this is not an asbestos-flooring material.

Older sheet flooring products: example of floors that do not contain asbestos

The sheet flooring covering shown above is backed with burlap fabric is probably more than a century old.

We examined it in an non-public area of the Justin Morrill Homestead, a historic building in Vermont.

The material has not been tested for asbestos fibers, but where we see what is obviously a jute backing it's not likely that the product contained asbestos..

The possible origin of this product is discussed at Asphalt & Vinyl Floor Tile History - history, dates, and description of the production process and ingredients in asphalt floor tiles, asphalt-asbestos floor tiles, & vinyl-asbestos floor tiles 1900 to present.

Also see LINOLEUM & SHEET FLOORING

On 2020-12-31 by (mod) - possible asbestos in asphalt-felt-backed sheet flooring or "linoleum"

Rox,

Some back asphalt-impregnated paper-backed sheet flooring contains asbestos.

Use Damp wiping and HEPA vacuuming to clean up.

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. 

On 2020-12-31 by Rox

Hi, I took up a floor yesterday and am now having a panic that it may have contained asbestos. It was large sheets of a vinyl floor, loosely laid over floor boards, not stuck down but had a carpet over. I think the carpet was laid in the late 70s and the vinyl is older.

The house was built in the 1920s. I’ve sent off for an asbestos testing kit but would welcome any advice, particularly what I should do now if it likely to be asbestos.

The sheet itself is quite thin with a pattern on top, black in the middle and a red bottom. I could see no makers mark. As I removed it, it would bend then quite cleanly break on the fold line. Many thanks

On 2020-12-29 by (mod) - possible asbestos in peel-and-stick vinyl flooring in a 1994 house?

You're right. Asbestos would not be expected to be present in peel and stick flooring made and installed in North American in 1994.

On 2020-12-29 by Scott

We had a small flood in our kitchen and had to pull up the laminate flooring. We found these tiles underneath. They are Armstrong and have a item #22130. House was built in 1994. At this point asbestos products were not supposed to be used but I just wanted to be really sure. Here is an image of the vinyl
Tile. It is a peel and stick.

On 2020-12-26 - by (mod) -

Emily

That flooring looks a bit later to me than the 1960s but certainly could contain asbestos.

To know for sure course you have to have a sample tested.

For reducing the potential asbestos Hazard See the advice offered at

ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION

On 2020-12-26 by Emily

Hi, We found that one of our bathroom's sheet flooring contains asbestos. Our house was built in 1963, and I can't find anything about the other sheet flooring we have. Does anyone recognize this one? Thanks for this resource!

On 2020-12-22 by (mod) - asbestos risk in 1960s Mobile Home sheet vinyl flooring

Joan,

Thanks for the question and photo; to know for certain you'd need to have these flooring materials tested for asbestos, but for a 1966 sheet flooring in a mobile home it would be perfectly reasonable to treat the flooring and its backer or asphalt-impregnated felt underlayment as "PACM" - presumed asbestos-containing materials.

On 2020-12-22 by Joan

Under a layer of newer linoleum was another layer and under that was a blue felt lining. I suspect this is original to the mobile home 1966 . What’s the chance of that blue lining contains asbestos?

On 2020-12-02 by (mod)A

Sorry, Shane, I can't ID that floor tile; it's a simple off-white pattern that was produced by more than one manufacturer, in more than one style, over decades.

On 2020-12-02 by Shane

Wondering if any of you could help identify this tile ? House was made in 65 but i believe this was put down with the addition in 96?. Any possible info would be great. Thank you in advance.

On 2020-11-21 - by (mod) -

Sure, Alison; In the Recommended Articles at the end of this page

see

ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST

On 2020-11-21 by Alison

Ok, thank you. Do you have any recommendations where to send it? I don't have anyone near me that deals with asbestos.

On 2020-11-19 - by (mod) -

Certainly some felt-backed sheet flooring contains asbestos. Treat it as presumed to contain asbestos or have a sample tested.

On 2020-11-19 by alisonvellinga

Our home was built in 1900. We bought it a few months ago. We are wanting to expose the wood floors but we found this flooring on the threshold between the carpet and kitchen vinyl tile. It looks like a linoleum of some sort because it’s all one piece.

On 2020-11-15 - by (mod) -

Certainly asbestos in that floor is a good possibility given its age. You should treat it as presumed to contain asbestos.

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 2020-11-15 by Mrsm

Does this flooring from 1959 contain asbestos?

On 2020-11-06 by (mod) - thin plastic contact paper not likely to contain asbestos.

That looks to me like contact paper, not an asbestos flooring product.

On 2020-11-06 by Paris

Hi, my husband and I just bought a home that was originally built around 1957.

The family added a back half to the original home in about 1974.

This is the add-on bar/island that was built in the home. I started to pull up the paper or whatever this is and I could smell what seemed to be a strong glue smell.

It reminded me of the smell of a Polaroid when the backing comes off (the part where the chemicals are kept to help it develop after you take the picture)

Does this have asbestos?

The home has a lot of what looks like vinyl or linoleum (I honestly can’t tell)

 

On 2020-10-20 by (mod) - asbestos possible in a 1980 vinyl sheet flooring product

Joe: a 1980 vinyl floor may indeed contain asbestos.

With no other information than the year, it'd be helpful to see DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos

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

On 2020-10-20 by Joe

Is this asbestos?
House built 1980

On 2020-10-12 2 by (mod) - does my 1964 house floor contain asbestos?

Rebecca

With no other information than your text, it'd be helpful to see DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos - here's the link:

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

to make an educated guess at the asbestos question. Please take a look and don't hesitate to post photos (one per comment) or to ask follow-up questions if any of that is unclear.

On 2020-10-12 by Rebecca

Our home was built in 64… And we discovered in our basement that we have 6 x 6 white and green tile, do they have asbestos… And should we pull it up or just paint over it and lay more carpet?

On 2020-08-31 by (mod) - If the jute linoleum is not asbestos containing, can I have any sureness that the felt is not as well?

No, Justin, not in my view.

Ceratainly some white or gray papery backer on 1970s and 1980s sheet flooring contains asbestos.

On 2020-08-29 by Justin

I am working on my 1910 house, and I've been removing some old linoleum, I have 4 different types that have had a jute backing, which I am not worried about, but in the bathroom, underneath where the tub used to sit, is an old pebble pattern jute backed linoleum.

The jute is clearly visible, but I am slightly concerned about the grey felt backing.

If the jute-backed linoleum is not asbestos containing, can I have any sureness that the felt is not as well?

 

On 2020-07-13 - by (mod) -

Alyssa that looks like an Armstrong vinyl sheet flooring that may include asbestos in its backer.

On 2020-07-13 by Alyssa

House built in 1975 in Seattle,

On 2020-06-23 - by (mod) -

I would treat that floor as presumed to contain asbestos.

As you're going to install flooring over the old floor, high-adhesive foil tape over the saw marks may be sufficient and easier and quicker.

On 2020-06-23 2 by Deana

My husband sawed through our flooring underlayment to remove 2 layers of flooring and we found this yellow gold sheet vinyl underneath. Our house was built in 1977, and we wanted to know if this sheet vinyl might contain asbestos?

We plan to lay a cork underlayment and then install a floating locking vinyl plank flooring.

We are wondering if we should now also use a sealer of epoxy to cover the saw marks on the damaged sheet vinyl as a precaution.

On 2020-06-17 - by (mod) -

Thanks for asking, Jeanne.

To make a useful guess at whether or not your vinyl flooring contains asbestos we'd need at least some basic information - please see the easy Q&A at

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

On 2020-06-17 by Jeanne

I've taken a layer of vinyl/ lino off my kitchen floor and found more underneath it. Do you think this could contain asbestos?

On 2020-06-05 - by (mod) - ok to cover remaining flooring adhesive or backer with new floor mateirals

KD

As long as the layer of tile backing is secure and smooth enough that it won't cause trouble with the new flooring being installed over-it, it's fine to place underlayment and then new finish flooring.

In my opinion and experience there is just no reasonable chance that the old flooring can transmit potentially hazardous particles up through layers of new flooring installed over it.

On 2020-06-05 by Kd

Hello! I have a follow up question from my picture yesterday. I can’t find my picture. You said that it could be asbestos. There is still a layer of the tile backing that won’t come up. It’s almost a paper/cardboard. Can we lay the Underlayment on top of that or do we need to seal it?

On 2020-06-04 by (mod) - where to find lists of asbestos-producing companies and settlement trust funds

Gary,

There have been class action lawsuits and various trust funds have been set up to give at least some financial support two people injured by asbestos exposure, especially workers.

See details at ASBESTOS PRODUCING COMPANIES & TRUSTS

On 2020-06-04 by gary hoban - i ran number one flooring backer production machine and the asbestos was mixed in a tank

i ran number one machine and the asbestos was mixed in a tank as i set under it with all the dust falling on me i fell there should some kind of a law sute or composion to the people that was exposed to the asbestos dust

On 2020-06-02 by Jean

thank you

On 2020-06-01 - by (mod) - asbestos in Armstrong square-chip sheet flooring from early 1960s

Jean

We have tested a sample of a flooring of this pattern, dating from a US home built in the early 1960s, and test confirmed that the floor contains asbestos, principally in its backer.

An easy way to put yourself at ease might be to simply run a bead of appropriate sealant along the flooring edge. That will keep out water and thus reduce the chance of flooring damage.

On 2020-06-01 by Jean

I am concerned because of the exposure of the "presumed to contain asbestos" vinyl flooring edge due to water leaks under the linoleum.

Water has caused the flooring to shrink and curl away from the tub edge exposing about 1/2 inch of brown fibers and mold as well.

The flooring is in a rental apartment which was built in the early 1960's.

On 2020-05-24 - by (mod) - asbestos likely in 1954 home's floor coverings

Ryan

I would treat that older flooring as presumed to contain asbestos. Both white backer and that black asphalt impregnated felt backer can contain asbestos.

On 2020-05-24 by Ryan

Hoping to get some advice on whether my flooring may contain asbestos. Current flooring is 12 x 12 vinyl tiles (not worried these were installed in 2010) over what appears to be linoleum sheet flooring. White marble look with gold glitter all over it. That is on top of a red back with what appears to be an asphalt core with a brownish paper backing.

On 2020-05-24 by Ryan

Thinking of tearing up my kitchen floor but wanted to get a few opinions on whether this could be asbestos tile or not.

House built in 1954

Current flooring is vinyl tiles over what looks like linoleum sheeting over asphalt core matt with red material on the top side. See pictures.

Appreciate any feedback

On 2020-05-19 - by (mod) -

Both of those products, the flooring and the mastic may indeed contain asbestos, Sam.

On 2020-05-19 by Sam

My sister in law just bought a house that was built in 1983 and they are currently renovating it. I spotted this Premier Sundial Armstrong “No Wax” in one of their reno pics and we’re wondering if it is an asbestos sheet flooring. Also wondering if the black glue may be black asbestos mastic?

On 2020-04-25 - by (mod) - safe removal of old flooring in a 1925 home

Courtney you should treat that red brick floor tile (or is it sheet) flooring is presumed to contain asbestos. You can see more examples of red brick pattern floor tiles on this page.

More examples of both tile and sheet flooring in red brick patterns and the properties and history of that flooring are at

SHEET & TILE FLOORING BRICK PATTERN ID

I'll include your question and this reply in that article.

The jute-backed sheet flooring below is a "linoleum" floor product not normally containing asbestos, though some of that older flooring, when it uses an asphalt-saturated felt ("tar paper") backing, may sport asbestos in the backer.

See details at BURLAP / JUTE - BACKED SHEET FLOORING

See advice at

ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION

ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE

On 2020-04-25 by Courtney G

I am attempting to pull up the many layers of flooring in the kitchen of my home (build in 1925) — I got to the final layer and my brother informed me he believes it looks like old asbestos tile.

Details: coming up in pieces (I unfortunately pulled a few up before knowing) it has a jute backing. It is leaving a gray felt like resident to the hardwood underneath. Red brick like pattern (pick attached) — I’m concerned, any advice?

On 2019-12-02 - by (mod) -

Sanding down a floor will make irksome dust; sounds as if you need some cleaning, perhaps damp wiping and HEPA vacuuming.

On 2019-12-01 by Anonymous

I’m freaking out, he sanded down the last of it, there was dust everywhere. My four year old was playing outside, the door was slightly open .

 

On 2019-12-01 - by (mod) -

Looks like a spatter pattern.

See DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS?

On 2019-12-01 by Eric

Trying to figure out if anyone has seen this flooring in a home built in 1960

2019/07/15 Ben said:

Can anyone help me identify this pattern of sheet flooring? It was removed in our house and we are working if it contains asbestos.

Moderator replied:

Ben, that floor could contain asbestos but knowing at least its age and country / city of installation would help.

For a quick check and five easy questions that can help tell you if an unknown floor covering contains asbestos, try answering some of the easy questions at

DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS?

(Feb 18, 2019) Brock said:

Should i be worried about what i have tried scraping up already? What can i do to make sure house is clean of asbestos in the air. I dont want my 3 year old son to be around anything harmful.

Moderator replied:

Brock,

If you are facing a large cost or have other reasons to be concerned about asbestos contamination in the building it would not be costly to have a small sample of the floor tested. The advice at these 3 articles should be helpful.
by (mod) -

• ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION
• ASBESTOS FLOORING IDENTIFICATION
• ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE
• ASBESTOS REMOVAL, WETTING GUIDELINES

 

On 2019-12-27 by Anonymous

Thank you for the nice feedback James and thank you for the question.

On 2019-12-26 by James Matthews

Thanks so much for your thoughtful, detailed response. I greatly appreciate it. It was like a Christmas gift, and I thank you.

On 2019-12-23 James Matthews said:

A contractor drilled two .5 or .75 in holes in asbestos vinyl sheet flooring in a small half bath (20% according to lab). What is the likely extent of the risk/exposure and how long? Thanks!

Moderator reply:

Please see your question and our detailed reply now found at ASBESTOS FLOORING DAMAGE HAZARDS https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos-Floor-Damage-Hazard.php

and don't hesitate to ask follow-up questions as needed.

Please also use the add image button to post a photo of the drilled holes in the flooring in your home and I can comment further.

On 2019-05-13 01:52:18.649870 - by (mod) -

I can't say Rachel. Are there any manufacturers named stamps on the back side of the material?

On 2019-05-12 21:40:36.515410 by Rachel D.

Trying to find out more on this find under our carpet. Is it a Quaker Rug? Manufacturer? Year? Would it contain asbestos? Thank you.
IMAGE LOST by older version of Clark Van Oyen’s useful Comments code - now fixed. Please re-post the image if you can. Sorry. Mod.

On 2019-04-28 18:56:05.771413 - by (mod) -

Continuing:

Here is the back-surface of the Armstrong sheet flooring shown below.
IMAGE LOST by older version of Clark Van Oyen’s useful Comments code - now fixed. Please re-post the image if you can. Sorry. Mod.

On 2019-04-28 18:55:29.965548 - by (mod) -

Re-posting from private email:

Anonymous asked:

Trying to find out if anyone has inquired about Armstrong sheet flooring in our kitchen shown in the attached photo. Pattern shows what appears to be pumpkins and corn. We found extra unused sheeting in the attic, shows Armstrong on the backing, with no other identification. House was built in 1959, but do not know if this is original to the house. No info as to any remodeling 8n the kitchen since Backing is greyish colored. Just trying to see if anyone has identified this pattern as containing asbestos. Thanks for any info whatsoever!

Moderator reply: I don't know that exact pattern of sheet flooring but will be glad to post & research it a bit. IT would be most helpful to also have a photo of the imprint or markings on the back of the material.

The flooring backer looks to me newer than 1958 - see ARMSTRONG SHEET FLOORING 1940 - 1980 at https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Sheet_Flooring_Identification.php#Armstrong_Sheet

But I would treat any white-backed sheet flooring of unknown age and that may be older than the mid 1970s as presumed to contain asbestos. (PACM)

That doesn't mean its a severe asbestos release hazard: if the flooring can simply be rolled up and is not ground, chopped, made into a dusty mess, the asbestos release from it is usually below detection. If it's glued-down then it's best to leave it alone, in place, and to cover it over.
IMAGE LOST by older version of Clark Van Oyen’s useful Comments code - now fixed. Please re-post the image if you can. Sorry. Mod.

On 2019-11-19 20:21:21.661327 - by (mod) -

Yes it's usually the backer and sometimes and intermediate layer as well the top clear protective layers not likely to be in this pesos material. U-verse you got was correct that is it generally safest read the flooring in place and to cover it with new material

On 2019-11-19 16:45:33.263630 by Matthew Woodbury

I have a 1960s house with cream-colored vinyl sheet flooring (a pebbly pattern) that tested positive for asbestos (20%). The asbestos inspection company that did the testing said that the flooring was in good shape, posed no immediate danger, and could be left as-is, but should be remediated if it was going to be disturbed or if renovations were going to take place. That was about 2 years ago. I have read in many places that it is the backing on this flooring that contains asbestos, but I just wanted to confirm that he vinyl over-layer in such flooring generally is free from asbestos. The vinyl over-layer is essentially in perfect condition. Thanks.

On 2019-11-05 00:03:49.961388 - by (mod) -

Since the 1980s. Could be ambiguous I ask you to please take a look at

DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS?

On 2019-11-04 23:23:51.266951 by Anonymous

this is the kitchen and dining room floor in a residential house in Colorado, possibly from the 1990s or 1980s .

On 2019-11-04 17:40:48.476330 - by (mod) -

Lisa, with no information about the floor, building, country, city, I can't say with confidence that your floor does or doesn't contain asbestos.

BUt there is some easy-to-use help at making a reasonable guess over at DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php

On 2019-11-04 17:30:32.005716 by Lisa

Can you tell if this linoleum/vinyl floor contains asbestos? I don't know the year it's from but guessing it's not 30-40 years old.

On 2018-12-29 19:31:52.251864 - by (mod) -

Aha

Well if you see black asphalt impregnated paper-like flooring backing that was made before 1985 in North America, that may contain asbestos.

On 2018-12-29 13:55:19.140454 by Anonymous

Thanks for all the information. I'm checking water solubility of mastic now. Cheers.

Question: ugly green flooring in an 1800's home - likely to contain asbestos?

On 2018-08-20 by (mod) -

Forgive the confusion but the label in your photosays that the material is American Manor Carpets, nylon. This isn't a floor tile.

If there is flooring that you need tested for asbestos, see ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Test_Lab_Lists.php

On 2018-08-20 0 by Allison

Hello! I’m hopimg you may be able to help determine if this flooring has asbestos in it. Our home was built in 1950. I’m not sure when this floor was installed. It is not glued down.

We would like to carpet the room, however, the company will not do so unless we remove the flooring or have it tested. We would like to utilize the room as a bedroom. Thank so much for your help!

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

(Sept 27, 2015) Amanda Yorck said:

I started tearing up flooring today and in the throws of it I realized I should be concerned about asbestos. My house was built in the early 1800s and I have no clue when the floor was put in. It is sheet flooring, vinyl I assume.

There are 2 layers of black backing. The floor itself is a very ugly green, intentionally splotchy in design.

It is probably a mute point at this point, but is this floor likely to contain asbestos? I have a picture but I don't see a place to upload it. Hopefully you can work with my poor description.

Reply:

Please use the page top or bottom CONTACT link to send us photos for comment.

Question: is this sheet flooring from a 1928 home asbestos?

2018/06/01 Ashley said:

My house was built in 1928, I have no idea when this was laid... should I presume asbestos? It is sheet flooring.

This Q&A appeared originally at RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE

Reply: linoleum rug - check for asphalt-impregnated paper or felt backer

Ashley,

While I cannot state with certainty the age or materials in your photo, from what I can see it looks as if you have on that floor an exceptionally lovely linoleum "rug", perhaps from the 1940's.

Take a look at the edges and back of the material.

If you see a canvas fabric-like backer it's a traditional jute-backed linoleum sheet flooring that is not likely to contain asbestos.

If you see a red rubber backer, ditto, with a few exceptions.

If you see a black asphalt-impregnated paper that looks like roofing felt or "tar paper" then that material might contain asbestos.

In any case if the linoleum rug is not glued down and can be removed by rolling it up and carrying it out, you can most likely remove it with little or no demolition. Avoid creating dust by chopping, grinding, sawing.

Attach photos of the back and edges if you can, when you remove the floor.

Damp wipe the remaining dust and debris from the original floor below. Show me what that looks like too.

More examples of this type of flooring are at

• ARMSTRONG SHEET FLOORING 1940 - 1980
• ARMSTRONG BRADFORD BRICK SHEET
• ARMSTRONG RUBBER BACKED RUG PATTERNS
• CONGOLEUM NAIRN SHEET FLOORING 1960 - 1980
• LINOLEUM & SHEET FLOORING for more photos of linoleum rugs and rug patterns.

Question: 1960's Sheet Flooring Asbestos: the manufacturer said if it wasn't black mastic, we are probably fine

(July 8, 2015) Ros said:

Hi. we recently purchased a home built in about 1965. It had multiple layers of flooring. We removed top layer of old hardwood, then a layer of cushion floor and layer of plywood and beneath that were tiles I am fairly certain are asbestos.

Tiles were intact so we left it and covered with plywood again as we plan to tile. Then I got to worrying whether the vinyl contained asbestos too. It came up generally intact but some pieces ripped and a bit of the backing remained behind.

I scrapped it up after wetting down with water. The adhesive was a light colour.

The vinyl was imprinted with Domco Series 46. I called the manufacturer and they can't tell me if it has asbestos or not. I would guess it was installed in the early 80's given the age of cabinets which sat on top of the vinyl. Any idea about this product?

The manufacturer said if it wasn't black mastic, we are probably fine. however, my internet search yields articles where this is a full on biohazard to don't worry about it, IF there is asbestos, the exposure is minimal. (unlike my grade school which allowed us to freely handle asbestos rocks in the classroom).

Anyways, I may try and get this tested but since it is already up, there's not much to be done about it, I am more curious to know in case this stuff is also in other parts of the house which we have yet to renovate...like bathrooms.

Reply:

Ros

I don't know what has happened to Domcor flooring but their website, as of the moment, is DOA

I'd appreciate any contact information you have for the company, by post here or by email found at our page bottom CONTACT link. Use that email also to send me some photos of your flooring for further identification research.

In my OPINION if a company won't give a yes or now answer to asbestos in their products then something has made them nervous. Or put another way if I knew that my flooring never contained asbestos I'd be a dope not to say so.

ADVICE: For buildings with floor tiles or sheet flooring that can be assumed to have been installed in North America before 1986 it would be prudent to treat the flooring as "PACM" or "Presumed Asbestos Containing Material".

That does not mean we should panic nor 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 over with a coating or with another layer of flooring.

Watch out: that the mastic used to adhere old sheet flooring may also contain asbestos. After trying various solvents on a black mastic years ago I discovered that it was water soluble and came up easily once I let it sit wet for a few hours. Try that.

J.W. Indeed I've found other similar flooring patterns to those in your photo that by date, records, tests, were confirmed as having asbestos in the vinyl backing; it would be prudent to treat the material as presumed-asbestos-containing material.

Don't panic; non-friable materials like this can usually be handled with a minimum of dust and debris - provided the floor was not glued down.

The flooring shown at above left, installed in the 1980's did not contain asbestos.

Details are

at SHEET & TILE FLOORING ASBESTOS ID-BRICK PATTERN ID

The flooring shown at above right in a white brick pattern (these are tiles not sheet flooring) contained asbestos. Sheet flooring in the same pattern also contained asbestos.

Reader Question: does this sheet flooring from a 1975 house contain asbestos?

I am hopeful you can help me determine if this sheet flooring found in a house built in 1975 might have asbestos.

I didn't see any patterns like it in your images in the asbestos area. I wondered if maybe you would recognize the pattern and be able to help me. - Anonymous, by private email, 2016/05/31

Reply:

I don't know this exact pattern but some 70's sheet flooring very similar to it has tested and shown an asbestos content in the backer.

If you can remove it without making a dusty mess, intact, then the risks are probably low; if you need to do more aggressive demolition it's worth the $50. to have a confirming test - or to be safe just treat it as presumed to contain asbestos.

We discuss how to identify asbestos-containing sheet flooring

at RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE

At the end of any of our asbestos-related InspectApedia pages, at CONTINUE READING you will find a complete ARTICLE INDEX to ASBESTOS HAZARDS

See therein
ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION

and

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 cannot identify it through our guides, then you have a sample tested.

See ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST

Reader follow-up:

... thanks a lot for getting back to me and providing these details. I pulled the flooring out of a basement bathroom not even thinking about asbestos until I was done. I am planning on having it tested because this same flooring is in two other areas.

It mostly came up in large sheets, and did not seem dusty to me at all during the removal process. But, I am still concerned. I suspect the small amount that may have come from the removal is not significant and I should be ok, I hope.

Anyway, thanks for the lab list, if you have a specific lab you would suggest please let me know. Please post the photos on your site. I will let you know what the test results are as well.

Reply:

Just be sure to use a certified lab, and do let me see the results, as they may help others.

Question: 1978 Armstrong Celarian sheet flooring has asbestos? Armstrong Premium Excelon Vinyl Composition Tile, product number 52127?

(Sept 1, 2014) From Faribault said:
We built our house in 1978, and put in Armstong Celarian inlaid sheet flooring.We are in the midst of a remodeling project. What is the likelihood that it has asbestos?

(Aug 5, 2015) Katie F. said:
We bought a house in 2012 from someone who had owned it for 20 years and laid tile flooring when renovating the basement.

We found two boxes of these tiles - they are Armstrong Premium Excelon Vinyl Composition Tile, product number 52127.

The box has a side panel warning indicating that these should not be sanded as there may be undetectable asbestos. I need to have work done in the basement because we have moisture issues - what is the risk if these tiles need to be removed for this work?

Do I need to hire an abatement firm

Other readers ask about asbestos content in various sheet flooring products

We have the San Roque pattern sheet vinyl. Did Armstrong use the same patterns at a later date for their sheet vinyl but without asbestos? We have already started to remove it and I am concerned. - Sue 10/24/2012

We have vinyl sheet flooring that was put in about mid 1984. Is this anything to worry about? When exactly was asbestos banned in the manufacture of sheet flooring? - Peter 11/6/2012

I have an old ranch home w/ sheet lino.x2 layers, over OSB board, over another type of flooring over old hardwood. From what I can see so far. The hardwood has blunt square ends, and is about 3-4" wide and appears to have paint on it. I know there is some rot in that area and would need replacing from reclaimed wood.

My question is what is the best way to remove all the lino and OSB and floor below that to get to the hardwood? I know it's going to be labor intensive but not sure how to go about it. - Tracey 2/13/2012

(Apr 29, 2015) Brent said:

I have a 1988 Hino school bus that i am converting to a house bus and am wondering if the vinyl floor has asbestos or not.
Does anyone have any ideas on that? The flooring is sheet vinyl lino and not tiles. Cheers

Reply: Basic Advice for Floor Tiles or Sheet Flooring that Might Contain Asbestos

For Matt, Faribault & Katie F and other readers:

​Thank you for the question about possible asbestos in flooring.

I do not recognize the exact pattern of your flooring, though you may find a close match in the library of asbestos floor tiles and sheet flooring beginning at ASBESTOS FLOORING IDENTIFICATION

Because there are so many manufacturers and floor tile patterns, types, sizes, and colors over many decades just looking through catalogs organized by even color or pattern can be a daunting task.

Better is to narrow the question by forming a reasonable guess about the age of the floor tile or sheet flooring. We can at the very least narrow this down by knowing the age of the building and sometimes we can narrow the guess further if we know when a building was renovated, or by observing the type of tile adhesive or mastic used.

WIth that data we can choose among our floor tile or sheet flooring photo ID guides that are organized by year beginning at the link I give above.

PHOTOS: You are welcome to send me photos of floor tiles, and where loose tiles or packaging are available I'd want to see the back side of tile and all sides of packaging and labels.

Knowing the tile dimensions and thickness are also useful. Our email link is also found at the CONTACT link at the top or bottom of any InspectApedia.com page.

Basic advice:

For buildings with floor tiles or sheet flooring that can be assumed to have been installed in North America before 1986 it would be prudent to treat the flooring as "PACM" or "Presumed Asbestos Containing Material".

That does not mean we should panic nor 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 over with a coating or with another layer of flooring.

Watch out: do not grind, cut, saw, chop or otherwise demolish flooring that may contain asbestos: you don't want to use methods that create a dusty mess.

On any of our asbestos-related InspectApedia pages, at CONTINUE READING you will find a complete ARTICLE INDEX for dealing with asbestos containing materials.

See in that

list ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION

andASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE

IF however you are faced with a requirement for a dusty messy demolition and if you are uncertain about the flooring's asbestos content and cannot identify it through our guides, then you may want to have a sample tested.

In that case see ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST

We would much appreciate hearing any comments, critique, suggestions, or further questions that you may have after you've taken a look at the articles I've cited.

Angela W

Don't confuse asbestos hazards with asthma and allergies, nor with condensation.

Unless you are grinding, chopping, hacking your vinyl asbestos floor tiles, with them just sitting there the probability that you can measure a harmful level of asbestos release is nearly zero.

The moisture problem is a separate one to correct. Find and fix the moisture soruces, run a dehumidifier if necessary;

When the floor is dry you may want to seal it or cover it with something less horrible for allergy.asthma sufferers than carpeting.

 

Question: probability of asbestos in sheet flooring in a 1990 home?

(Oct 22, 2015) Dennis said:
The house I live in was supposedly built in1990. I started removing old flooring in the bathroom when upon an internet search on how to, I started seeing articles about asbestos in vinyl flooring. It is sheet vinyl with a paper type backing. At this point I'm treating it like it does. Do I have to worry?

Reply:

Dennis we can't know by e-text precisely what material you're disturbuing, but certainly if it dates from 1990 in the U.S. that's past the date that one would expect to find new asbestos-containing floor coverings being installed.

Question: floor at my job looks hot but I'm told it's safe, I want to send a photo

(May 12, 2016) Anonymous said:
The floor at my job looks hot but they're telling me it's safe but it doesn't look safe to me I'm trying to send a picture but I'm

Reply:

You can use the page top or bottom CONTACT link to send flooring photos for comment.

Other Questions about Asbestos in Sheet Flooring

Question: did asbestos flooring come in just tiles or also in roll or sheet flooring?

Can the asbestos flooring come in tiles only or does it come in a role? - P.H. 12/31/12

Reply:

Asbestos-containing flooring was sold in both individual floor tiles and in rolls of sheet flooring. But just as with vinyl or plastic floor tiles, not all flooring contains asbestos.

LINOLEUM & Other Sheet Flooring includes examples of sheet flooring that often did not contain asbestos.

To treat floor coverings in asphalt-based floor tiles or sheet flooring, or vinyl (plastic)-based floor tiles or sheet flooring, it is reasonable to treat flooring sold in the year ranges described in the article above as PACM (Presumed Asbestos Containing Material).

Also the mastic or adhesive used to install flooring may also contain asbestos. Keep in mind also that very often it is not necessary nor even recommended to remove PACM floor coverings. But if conditions require that it be removed,

see ASBESTOS REMOVAL GUIDE, FLOORING.

Asbestos-containing sheet flooring in good condition in a residential environment is not a high risk of causing airborne asbestos hazards as the material is not friable. The safest as well as least-costly course of action is to leave such flooring in place, and to cover it over with other flooring material.

However if such flooring installed in North America before the early 1980's is in very poor condition or if it must be demolished as part of building renovations, it should be treated as presumed to contain asbestos and handled accordingly.

Flooring adhesives or mastics also may contain asbestos.

On 2017-03-09 by (mod) - identifying flooring in a 1912 Alaskan home

Leslie

I'd like to see photos of the sheet flooring pattern and also to see it's underside - use the page top or bottom CONTACT link to send me some photos. (Sorry, for reader and site security protection, Comments Box doesn't yet permit photo posting).

I'm not sure what is under the flooring you are describing; often a black asphalt-based mastic was used to adhere sheet flooring to a wood subfloor; that could have deteriorated or dried out to release the flooring.

Beware that some of those mastics contained asbestos: not a high risk as long as you're not grinding or chopping to make dust.

Search InspectApedia.com for MASTIC, CUTBACK ADHESIVE, FLASHING CEMENT ASBESTOS to read about that material.

Also see ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE

On 2017-03-09 by leslie

I just bought a 1912 house in Alaska. I immediatly pulled up the carpet to find old sheet linoleum in a brown marble pattern. It looks like it came in 6' rolls unless the sheets are 15' long.

When I pull up a sheet it does not appear to be adhered to the floor, however it looks like the linoleum may have been adhered to a layer of black hard rubber, or maybe thick asphalt?

I am trying to figure out how to submit photos but it definitely appears the linoleum was separate from the base layer as the seams do not match up.

We are concerned about asbestos being in any part of this layout before we remove. Thanks for input. Leslie

On 2017-02-27 by (mod) - best practice to leave vinyl-asbestos flooring alone

Barbara

Considering that in 100% of the cases in which I've been to a property about which there was a question asked by mail or phone I've seen substantial conditions that were not mentioned nor obvious to the buyer/owner, I can't bet your money nor safety on a simple e-text.

That apology said, it's not only reasonable but it's the recommended best practice to leave vinyl-asbestos flooring alone - best option is covering it over. To be avoided is grinding, chopping, sawing, demolition that makes a dusty mess. An alternative that I've used is application of a hard sealant or even an epoxy paint.

Drilling disturbs a trivial amount of material, say less than 4" for four large holes. Wetting and wiping up to control dust would be in order and should leave the amount of airborne dust from drilling below the limits of detection.

Use the page top or bottom CONTACT link to send me some sharp photos of the floor so that we can see its condition and perhaps comment further.

On 2017-02-27 by barbara - what about asbestos-containing flooring in a house in France?

Hi we are about to buy a little house in France, the compulsory survey says that the surveyor thinks there maybe asbestos in the vynyl flooring of the bedrooms, he says it would be ok to leave he floor but has to tell us n case we ever wanted to remove the floor, the house was built pre 50's.

would you reccomend us to go ahead with the purchase and if we do would it be possible to carry out work such as putting fitted wardrobes in these rooms which may entail drilling to attach them to the floor, would be very grateful for your advice, and thank you barbara

On 2016-09-14 by (mod) - flooring sold in the year 2000 not likely to be an asbestos-containing product

Bob

It would be extremely odd for flooring made and sold 14 - 16 years after the last asbestos containing flooring was manufactured to have been sold and installed in the year 2000.

On 2016-09-13 by Bob

Have Congoleum floor tiles in kitchen that I bought and installed in 2000 I do have extra tiles and box with manufacture codes on it . Is there a way to check on asbestos content without testing

On 2016-08-23 by (mod) - Asbestps om DOMCO Flooring by Tarkett?

I don't know how old your specific floor is, but as our illustration shows, Domco is a contemporary flooring brand made well asfter the early 1980's that marks the end of common production of asbestos-containing flooring in North America as well as most of Europe.

Domco is a vinyl sheet flooring produced by Tarkett Flooring, an old-established brand sold world wide.

Tarlett Flooring, Website: http://www.tarkettna.com/ The company does a remarkable job of making it almost impossible to obtain a corporate headquarters or mailing or street address, preferring to refer the public to its retail outlets or press contacts.

It's prudent to treat 1970's vinyl sheet flooring as presumed to contain asbestos.

ADVICE: For buildings with floor tiles or sheet flooring that can be assumed to have been installed in North America before 1986 it would be prudent to treat the flooring as "PACM" or "Presumed Asbestos Containing Material".

That does not mean we should panic nor 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 over with a coating or with another layer of flooring.

On any of our asbestos-related InspectApedia pages, at CONTINUE READING you will find a complete ARTICLE INDEX to ASBESTOS HAZARDS
See also therein
ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION
and
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 cannot identify it through our guides, then you have a sample tested.

On 2016-08-23 by Sandy

My house was built around 1970 and has two layers of a vinyl flooring.

The bottom layer has the letters DOMCO series stamped on the backing and I would like to know if it could contain asbestos and wonder if that's why they left it in place and added another floor over top?

On 2016-05-22 by melissa powell - DUGASIC flooring?

The guy says he drilled into a freezer floor and the material was made of "Du-ga-sic" HELP! He was a HVAC guy

On 2016-02-06 by (mod) - would not expect asbestos to be present in flooring made in 1994.

Bob:

Yes, I would not expect asbestos to be present in flooring made in 1994.

On 2016-02-06 by (mod) -

Martin
You might get an ID directly from the Armstrong company - they're usually quite helpful to customers. I don't know the number itself but I expect it's a pattern ID. Most likely you're looking at vinyl sheet flooring, not true linoleum.

On 2016-02-05 by Martin Moffitt

Can any one help me Identify a piece of Armstrong flooring (linoleum/paper backed with the number 86375 printed on the back along with the Armstrong logo/name

On 2016-02-04 by Bob

I'm removing some sheet vinyl flooring from a house built in 1994, that should be asbestos free by date, but the medium gray backing (like thick paper)clearly has many tiny fibers protruding from the edges when it is torn. Is this more likely to be fiberglass that I am seeing, or could it be asbestos? The pattern is very similar to the image above directly under the red "Watch out" text, but the pattern is all gray, with no blue or red.

...

Continue reading  at RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID FAQs-2 - more-recent questions & answers on identifying sheet flooring or resilient flooring that might contain asbestos

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION
• ASBESTOS FLOOR IDENTIFICATION - home
• 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 -
• ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION
• ASBESTOS FLOORING IDENTIFICATION
• ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE
• ASBESTOS REMOVAL, WETTING GUIDELINES
• ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST
• IDENTIFY SHEET FLOORING TYPE
• POURED-IN-PLACE FLOORING, RESILIENT
• RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE - home
• SHEET FLOORING INSPECT / TEST
• SHEET FLOORING NON-ASBESTOS EXAMPLES
• SHEET FLOORING POSSIBLE ASBESTOS - 1960-1987
• SHEET FLOORING INSPECT / TEST
• SHEET FLOORING TYPE IDENTIFICATION
• WHITE SHIELD® BACKING ASBESTOS in FLOORING

Suggested citation for this web page

ASBESTOS SHEET FLOORING ID FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to ASBESTOS HAZARDS

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