Asbestos in Speckled / Spatter / Spotted Pattern Floor Tiles

Photo examples, history, manufacturers

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Examples of Speckled or Spatter Pattern Floor Tiles
that may contain asbestos

Floor tiles described, depending on your word preferences, as speckled, spotted, or spatter pattern were popular among the earliest designs of flooring that included asbestos-containing 9x9 and 12x12 as well as irregular and other floor tile patterns. Here we give various examples of those patterns and discuss the chances that the flooring contains asbestos.

Above: a speckled or better, perhaps called "spotted" floor tile that we examined in our lab and tested for asbestos, discussed in detail at

1960-1969 ARMSTRONG EXCELON FLOOR TILE GUIDE

Shown below is speckled Kentile Carnival ACM tile flooring in a 1941 home.

and in a black speckled floor tile pattern, here is Kentile Spatter on a Black Base Floor Tile - an asphalt-asbestos floor tile.

Kentile spatter pattern is similar to Kentile Carnival pattern floor tiles.

Above: 1980's era Kentile asbestos-containing flooring in patterns Desert Black & Desert Sands, Pattern No. 2001 - 1G087. Thanks to reader Anon. for these photos, 2016/08/17.

An asbestos test lab report confirming asbestos in these floor tiles installed in a 1982 home is discussed

at KENTILE FLOOR PHOTOGRAPHS & MARKINGS.

Examples of Other Floor "Speckled" or Flecked" Floor Tile Patterns, Colors, Brands

Spatter Pattern 9x9 Floor Tiles Identification

Hello! Found these layers during a kitchen demo. Looking for information (manufacturing window, brand, etc.) regarding both samples in picture. TIA! On 2020-02-25 by Rachael S

Answer by (mod) - Probably spatter pattern Kentile Flooring

Take a look at the spatter pattern Kentiles and Armstrong flooring before 1975

Below, Kentile Carnival spatter pattern flooring from 1959, shown in blue, green, ahd white.

Details are at KENTILE FLOOR COLORS & PATTERNS KEY

Example of Beige or Light Tan Speckled / Spattered / Spotted Floor Tile

The light beige background floor tile below with beige, black and grey speckles is discussed at MONTGOMERY WARD ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION

Identyify black speckled Asphalt- or Vinyl-Asbestos floor tiles

Does anyone know if they contains asbestos?

On 2020-01-11 by Steve M

Answer by (mod) - 9x9 Sears Roebuck Floor Tiles Stock No. 2349 Shade 066516 2H

Steve M.

That floor tile looks like a black Sears 9x9 Harmony House asphalt asbestos floor tile, Stock No. 2349-1, Shade code 066516 2H

Please find your photos and our discussion of your Sears floor tiles and asbestos discussed in detail at

SEARS ROEBUCK VINYL ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE RECOGNITION

Below for comparison is Montgomery Ward's Black spatter pattern floor tile

The floor above is discussed in detail at MONTGOMERY WARD ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION

Age of this Black or Dark Dark Multi-Colored Speckled Spotted 1950 rural Texas asbestos flooring

Trying to find a date for this tile and if it has the potential of containing asbestos. House was build in 1950 in rural Texas. On 2022-09-07 by Rad B

Answer by InspectApedia (mod) - Speckled Spotted 1950 rural Texas asbestos flooring

@Rad B,

Given the date and the pattern, it is very possible. It would be smart to treat the flooring as presumed asbestos containing material.

See the live link above in the Recommended Articles list for

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

Keep in mind that it is safest and simplest to leave the flooring in place if possible and cover with new flooring. Otherwise, if it is being removed, also see above

ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE

Asbestos in 1954 brown speckled terrazo type asphalt floor tile from 1954, California

Hi. We’re digging up a floor on a house in Woodland Hills, CA build in 1954. Does this terrazzo tiling look like an asbestos tile? Many thanks On 2021-08-14 by Camilla Jessen

by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - yes

@Camilla Jessen,

Yes that looks like an asphalt asbestos floor tile. That's not a reason to be terrified.

Asbestos material, including those non-friable floor tiles, is safe and legal and is best left in place unless it is damaged. Best approach is to leave it in place and cover it over.

Identify Gray Speckled / Spotted / Spattered Floor Tile

The tile above is described at KENTILE KENFLEX ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE GUIDE

Asbestos in Green floor tiles with white, red & dark green speckles?

Does these floor contain asbestos ? On 2021-08-29 by Heather

On 2021-08-29 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - asbestos likely in these green asphalt-based floor tiles if made before 1986

@Heather,

If that floor is in a U.S. or Canadian building built before 1986, most-likely yes.

In more detail: 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. 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

Is there asbestos in this green & white speckled floor tile

Is this green and white speckled floor tile asbestos? On 2018-10-19 by Anonymous

Answer by (mod) - probably but here are 5 steps to make an educated guess about whether or not this green & white speckled floor tile contains asbestos

Nice floor tile Anon. Unless you know that it was made after 1985 or 86 you should treat it as presumed to contain asbestos.

In ASBESTOS FLOOR IDENTIFICATION

you'll find 5 simple steps that help decide the asbestos-in-flooring question.

Please take a look there and let me know what you think.

Asbestos in this red pattern textured speckled floor tile"

Hello - any thoughts on whether this could contain asbestos? It's in the closet of my home. Very textured speckled design.

On 2022-10-19 by Evelyn

by InspectApedia (Editor) -

@Evelyn,

That floor could contain asbestos.

To make a better guess 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

Asbestos in 1952 Pink/Mauve Floor Tile with Colored Speckles?

Hi. Our house was built in 1952, we have no idea if this floor is original or Pre-1980. It's a lt pink/mauve with color speckles.

Some tiles are breaking at corners, but I think we got rid of the pieces, so unsure if it's black bottom. Most likely asbestos? I could not find in the pics.

On 2021-06-03 by Patty

Reply by (mod) - probably
@Patty,

That floor may contain asbestos, at least in its backer and possibly in the mastic adhesive.

In the article index check out some of the images for KENTILES

See ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos-Hazard-Reduction.php

White background, 1960s 9x9 spatter pattern floor tile asbestos

Just took up 9x9 tiles. They are 1-16 or less in thickness

On 2020-03-22 by Ron Fletcher

Answer by (mod) - 1960s 9x9 spatter pattern floor tile asbestos likely

9x9 spatter pattern vinyl asbestos floor tile ca 1960 - probably

Asbestos in 1970s 9x9 white tile with gold flecks?

Curious if anyone may know this 9x9 gold-flecked tile? There is no information printed on the underside of the tiles. Came from a kitchen that seems to have been remodeled in the late 1970s. On 2022-02-03 by Scott

by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - 1970s 9x9 gold-flecked tile asbestos?

@Scott,

You will see tiles with that pattern in this article series. You should also be sure to check the advice given at the live link above titled

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

Does this "Speckled" or "Flecked" floor tile contain asbestos?

I have this Kentile floor pattern - should I worry about asbestos? On 2023-04-19 by Anonymous

[Note: This reader's question and photos and our reply appea in detail at

KENTILE VINYL-ASBESTOS FLOOR TILES IDENTIFICATION PHOTO GUIDE]

White floor tile with black "Flecks"?

I don’t as pulling up carpet and found this flooring. House was built in 1926. Does it contain asbestos? Thanks

On 2023-05-21 by Suzanne Nethery

Reply InspectApedia DF (mod) - asbestos unlikely in newer black flecked or speckled floor tile (After 1986 if in the U.S.)

@Suzanne Nethery,

Hard to know from just one photo if it contains asbestos or not. Some patterns that did contain asbestos were continued without asbestos after 1986, the last year asbestos was allowed in the US.

Short of having it tested, it would be best to treat it as presumed to contain asbestos and avoid making a mess by grinding, sawing, etc. Keep in mind that asbestos could also be in the backing and adhesive as well.

In our Recommended Articles list at the end of this article, see the live links for

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

and

ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION

and

ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE

1989 White floor tiles with fine black flecks & spots: Asbestos?

I was taking up these tiles yesterday and the electrician called out they may contain Asbestos. I have checked your website and others but cannot find the manufacture.

All I know is that they where installed in 1989 but I don't have the manufacturing date. Is there any links for guidance you could assist with please? On 2023-05-11 by Help if possible

Answer by InspectApedia Editor - 1989 is after asbestos cut off date

@Help if possible,

1986 was the cutoff date for asbestos use (flooring, backing, adhesive) in North America (we don't know your location). It would be unlikely for new 'old' stock to be found a full three years after that date.

Some popular patterns were continued withOUT asbestos after that date.

In the Recommended Articles list at the end of this article, we have live links to several of our articles discussing asbestos flooring and how to manage it.

Identify this white floor tile with small spots in Buffalo

Looking for advice on if this is asbestos.

Country: US

City: Buffalo

Age: 1967

is there anything else that will help? Matthew Domagala 2019/07 -

Mod 2019/07 - 1967 speckled white floor tile in Buffalo NY

Matthew:

Depending on its age both the tile in your photo and the mastic could contain asbestos. In your first note you didn't say anything about the building country, city, age &c.

A tile that looks like yours, installed in the U.S. in the late 1960s, is likely to contain asbestos.

Some easy questions at DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php

can help make a reasonable guess at an answer.

This flooring is also discussed

at ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION WHITE

Speckled gray white tile in a 1912 Chicago Building

Curious if you know anything about this...

This speckled tile. Chicago 1912 building. We got here 1977. It was here and old THEN. It's a hard tile.

I will measure when I think of it. I don't think they're 9x9. "9 x 9=99% of the time asbestos," Lol.

The other stuff i sent was grey/light beige pebble pattern sheet flooring. Same building.

That was 1964 Corlon Armstrong Martina pattern. If I understood your essay right, it's 70% asbestos and DEFINITELY the Black Jack sticky adhesive is.

Most of it is intact, so we're good. The tiles, not so much. But we lived here since then. Still alive. Haven't covered it as floor is uneven and a rug might trip my old father.

I think the beige sheet above is 1990s or late 80s. Same building found nothing on it online. On 2023-04-25 by Mickie

Suggestion by InspectApedia Publisher - treat Speckled Patten Kentiles as PACM

@Mickie,

Thank you for the photo and description.

I agree that it would make sense to treat that flooring is presumed to contain asbestos.

Supporting Research on Asbestos in Speckled, Spotted, or Spatter pattern floor tiles

Armstrong's Excelon floor tiles like the CENTENNIAL SERIES floor tiles, shown above include ovate spots on a soft background, with pearlescent/metallic highlights. We include these patterns in the general group of speckle, spatter, or spotted floor tile designs.

More examples of this series are at 1961 - ARMSTRONG FLOOR TILE PATTERNS / COLORS

For asbestos suspect floors that are to be left in place, the best option is to cover over the floor with new flooring; we've also used an epoxy floor paint.

See the advice given

at ASBESTOS FLOORING LEFT IN PLACE

Also DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS?

may be helpful

"Asbestos Floor Tile Removal", the University of Minnesota's advice on removing VAT (vinyl asbestos or asphalt asbestos floor tile) can be read in detail at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/asbestos/floortile/index.html
EPA, ASBESTOS IN YOUR HOME [PDF] - U.S. EPA, Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
Resilient Floor Covering Institute, 1030 15th St. NW, suite 350, Washington D.C.
ASBESTOS REGULATIONS FOR SCHOOLS (the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, "AHERA") [PDF] (96 pp, 589k), web search 08/17/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/2003pt763.pdf,
Asbestos Regulations: State asbestos regulatory agencies (5 pp, 17k) (original source http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/statecontactsapril2009.pdf ) for information on how to find an accredited asbestos professional.
EPA Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Materials in buildings, NIAST, National Institute on Abatement Sciences & Technology, [republishing EPA public documents] 1985 ed., Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
The ABCs of Asbestos in Schools (August 2003), U.S. EPA, Web search 08/17/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/abcsfinal.pdf - aqui se encuenta la misma documenta escrito en Espan~ol: El ABC del Asbestos en las Escuelas, copy on file as /sickhouse/EPA_Asbestos_ABCs_Schools_Spanish.pdf, fuente original: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/spanishabcs.pdf
How to Manage Asbestos in School buildings, AHERA Designated Person Self Study Guide, U.S. EPA 910-B-96-001, January 1996, web search 08/17/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/region2/ahera/e23.pdf
MANAGING ASBESTOS in PLACE: A Building Owner's Guide to Operations and Maintenance Programs for Asbestos-Containing Materials ("Green Book"), web search 08/11/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/management_in_place.html
How to Develop and Maintain a Building Asbestos Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Program, This information is designed to assist building owners and managers in understanding how to develop and maintain an operations and maintenance program for asbestos-containing materials in their buildings.
"Asbestos Floor Tile Removal Guide & Instructions - copy on file as Asbestos_Floor_Tile_Removal_MDH.pdf ] - ", Minnesota Department of Health, retrieved 12/7/2010, original source: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/asbestos/floortile/index.html
Asbestos Identification and Testing References
Asbestos Identification, Walter C. McCrone, McCrone Research Institute, Chicago, IL.1987 ISBN 0-904962-11-3. Dr. McCrone literally "wrote the book" on asbestos identification procedures which formed the basis for current work by asbestos identification laboratories.
Stanton, .F., et al., National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 506: 143-151
EPA Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Materials in buildings, NIAST, National Institute on Abatement Sciences & Technology, [republishing EPA public documents] 1985 ed., Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460

...

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