Do some linoleum flooring produts contain asbestos?

This article series provides information about linoleum flooring: the history of linoleum, linoleum ingredients, and the properties of linoleum resilient or sheet floor coverings.

Linoleum Floor Materials Asbestos

Article Contents

• LINOLEUM ASBESTOS CONTENT?
• LINOLEUM, ASBESTOS FREE Congoleum Gold Seal & Others

Is there Asbestos in "Linoleum"?

No, and ... yes.

The original "true" linoleum was a linseed oil product, often backed with a jute fabric. That product never contained asbestos.

Following the popularity of original linseed-oil-based linoleum sheet flooring products, a number of manufacturers produced their own sheet flooring using other backing materials that included asphalt-impregnated felt paper.

Many of those copycat sheet flooring manufacturers called their product "linoleum".

Some of those products, not all of them, used a backer that contained asbestos.

Details of Asbestos in some "Linoleum" Flooring

According to Rosato, "The original resilient floor coverings were developed during the latter part of the Nineteenth Century by Frederick Walton. The original covering was linoleum for use as a floor decking on British naval ships."

Perhaps confusing traditional linoleum formulas that did not contain asbestos with the asphalt-impregnated felt mounted sheet flooring that did, Rosato asserted that

"the composition of the original linoleum products included asphaltic binders to which an asbestos filler was added by mixing on a rubber mill."

This description fits asphalt-saturated felt backed sheet flooring but not traditional or "true" linoleum.

Wilson & Snodgrass, U.S. FPL (2007) note that saturated-felt based linoleum-like flooring appeared in the U.S. as early as 1910, and expanded by Armstrong's Linoflor beginning in 1937.

Asphalt-saturated felt-based sheet flooring was less expensive to produce and is [unfortunately] often referred to by the same term - linoleum - even though its constituents are different.

Watch out: We warn below that many asphalt-saturated felts contained asbestos as either a strengthener (in fiber form) or as a filler (in both sheet flooring and asphalt or vinyl based floor tiles).

Those same authors note that cork flooring product names included Kencork, Linotile, and Corkoustic - of which Linotile may have added to the confusion about use of the term linoleum.

The photo above of a multi-colored square asphalt-felt-backed sheet flooring was provided by an anonymous reader who reported finding this flooring in a home built ca 1918 or before.

For the asphalt-paper backed sheet flooring above (widely described as "linoleum"), our advice was this:.

True linoleum wouldn't be expected to contain asbestos, and felt-back linoleum lookalikes generally won't contain asbestos either; but some asphalt-paper-backed sheet flooring might, as asbestos was used as a reinforcement in some asphalt paper products and backings including for flooring.

Asbestos might also be in the black mastic flooring adhesive one sees in your photos.

If you are going to remove the flooring and adhesive I would treat it as presumed to contain asbestos: avoid making a dusty mess, wear protection &c. A good option is to leave such flooring in place and simply cover it over: less risk, less cost.

More about linoleum look-alikes backed by asphalt felt is

at LINOLEUM "LOOKALIKES" ADHERED to FELT

Our reader had a sample of this flooring tested by Western Analytical who reported that there was no asbestos detected in this flooring nor in the adhesive mastic used below it.

Linoleum was produced and is still produced today in solid colors, in a wood-grain pattern, in jaspsé (colored streak patterns), in marble-like patterns, in floral designs, in brick patterns, and in both printed geometric and inlaid geometric designs.

There are modern linoleum products that still use these traditional (non-asbestos-containing) ingredients, there were asphalt-saturated felt-backed linoleum-like products, and today there are both traditional linoleum and modern non-linoleum lookalike sheet flooring products made of vinyl.

The "linoleum" photographs shown above and just below illustrate two traditional linoleum floor patterns. Source: Wilson & Snodgrass, U.S. FPL (2007).

Above is an illustration from the same authors is a beautiful example of a Congoleum "rug" still in use by the US FPL.

Above: this Congoleum "linoleum" rug does not contain asbestos and discussed in more detail at

LINOLEUM, ASBESTOS FREE Congoleum Gold Seal & Others

See CONGOLEUM-NAIRN FLOORING for more about that company and its floor covering products.

Watch out: But as we explain below, there are also sheet flooring products loosely referred to as linoleum that are adhered to a felt backer and that may contain asbestos in that backing material.

We noted at ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION PHOTOS 1949-1959 that Linoleum may be used as a generic term for a variety of older sheet floorings (sometimes incorrectly or at least confusingly).

Older sheet flooring products in buildings that Do Not Contain Asbestos

Here is a photograph of an early (pre-vinyl) continuous floor covering, ca 1900, in an 1840 historic Vermont house.

Note the fabric backing of the flooring material.

This sheet flooring covering 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 this sheet flooring 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.

Details about the history of Sheet and Tile Resilient flooring are

at FLOOR TILE HISTORY & INGREDIENTS.

According to Armstrong Flooring [1], in Portugal (no coincidence as you'll read below)

Linoleum is the only floor covering offered on the market that is predominantly made of natural renewable raw materials.

Linoleum is still in modern production (we describe the ingredients in linoleum just below), and it is a very durable product. Armstrong Portugal asserts that "Commercial reference projects laid with Armstrong DLW Linoleum are in use up to 90 years".

This age, combined with the observation that because of its constituent products linoleum is biodegradable, gives modern linoleum floor coverings a very low life-cycle cost. [1]

Question: does this 1940's Congoleum linoleum rug contain asbestos?

Nov 20, 2019,

Hi, I am emailing because I found a rug that has the same pattern as one of the rugs in your 1942 Congoleum catalogue.

I see that some of these did not contain asbestos but I also see that the color is different. Could this be one of the copy or rugs made by another company that copies the pattern?

I may send a sample to get tested but am afraid that since some of the pieces are damaged there was some breakage when lifting it, that we may have released fibers.

We plan to roll it up using some heat and try not to disturb it. - Anonymous by private email

[Click to enlarge any image]

Reply: err on the side of caution

True linoleum and other "linoleum rugs" generally did not contain asbestos, but some asphalt felt backer materials on similar products did.

On your flooring that looks like an asphalt backer; as you've read, and as I've commented, some backers contains asbestos.

Nice linoleum "rug" by the way;

Watch out: [To err on the side of caution] ... if there is a possible asbestos concern (which might come if you're chopping, sawing, sanding the material) you don't want to run a normal vacuum cleaner; you'd need a HEPA-rated vac.

Reader follow-up:

Thanks. And thanks a lot for your help. I really appreciate it. I will have the sample tested so that we can take precautions.

We have a Pullman-holt hepa vacuum so maybe that will work.

Reply:

Yes as long as you're HEPA rated vacuum has a pretty good one that doesn't leak a lot it'll probably work just fine. Keep in mind that if you're removing that flooring and you can simply roll it up turn the hazards that would come from damaging that are practically zero.

I look forward to hearing the results of your sample test. That will help other readers as well.

Reader follow-up: Linoleum rugs tested, asbestos not detected

Yes we will roll it up. That’s the wisest and right thing to do. I just dropped off the sample and I should have the results within a day or two, I believe.

I will email the results as soon as they are ready. ...

Nov 22, 2019, 2:14 PM: I got the report

I have tested 4 different types of sheet flooring from upstairs and all came back negative.

I will send the actual report from IRIS labs ( I think it’s epa approved)

LINOLEUM ASBESTOS TEST LAB REPORT [PDF] with my address crossed out in case you can use these for the website.

But here are the results until I can get to my computer tomorrow to remove my address on the forms.

We had two rugs [shown above], one in each room that looked like they were both from the 40s or 50s. —both were negative. One was tested with Metro Analytical.

Thanks! I am very relieved.

Linoleum Rug Test for Asbestos: Results

Sample 01
No Asbestos Detected,
Sample Contents: 40% Cellulose 60% Other Non-Fibrous
Friable: YES
Description: Green/Off-white Linoleum Upstairs Bedroom to Right of Stairs - Linoleum Floor

Control No: 191121000

Sample 02
No Asbestos Detected
Sample Contents: 15% Cellulose 85% Other Non-Fibrous
Friable: YES
Description: Brown/Pink/Tan/Cream Linoleum Upstairs Bedroom to Right of Stairs -

We tested the top layer of the linoleum at the edge of the room and took a sample all of the way down to the floor. Once it came back negative for asbestos, we started to remove the flooring, John and I. John says to me 'why is there another sheet of linoleum that does not extend out to the walls?' 'I don't know what they were doing!'.

I had never seen a linoleum rug before and became panicked because this was not tested - we didn't even know about it! I do wish that I would have been knowledgeable enough to take a sample from the middle of the floor.

Your website helped calm me down and I really appreciated having this website available to research and learn more. Once I figured out these rooms had rug, we spent more time and kept from damaging them.

I have attached an image and analysis report for all 4 types of linoleum that we found

with the exception of the brown strip that they used as a border which we can take out all in one piece anyway.

I am not sure if these documents will be of any help since they were not positive for asbestos but, I removed my address and personal information although with a pdf editor it can probably be removed but this is just in case it is posted on the website or anything ( I don't want my personal info online of course).

I don't have a pdf editor.

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Reader Question: Does this 1930's Vintage Linoleum Contain Asbestos?

05/05/2015 E. wrote:

I am in need of flooring expertise. I have dibs on a large roll of (what the owner believes to be) 1930’s linoleum.

Age is based off of newspapers pulled out of the wall, so dating method isn’t all that scientific.

I am eager to snatch it up – but am concerned about asbestos.

The sheet was either never glued to the floor, (or the glue dissipated) allowing it to be rolled up and removed from the house. I realize the only sure way to know is to have it tested – but does this image and the owners description of the back give you any feeling one way or the other?

Based on the fact that this is rolled up and the backing is smooth, I would tend to think it’s simply linoleum, but I did see a comment on your site that indicated that some smooth backed sheet flooring could contain asbestos.

Here's a close up of the back of the linoleum. Somebody dropped a bobby pin on the floor when they laid the linoleum!

The linoleum has a hard backing with no loose fibers that I can see. This picture was taken at about 2 inches close.

Ultimately, anything I would use this for would require some cutting, which I am imagine could be done with a utility knife, as the flooring is still somewhat flexible. Based on what I’ve read, asbestos is only a hazard when it’s crumbled, and/or airborn, and cutting can be fairly safe if you get it wet.

I certainly don’t want to take it, find out it’s a hazard, and then have to pay again to dispose of it – it’s pretty huge. - E. 5/5/15

Reply:

You're right, it looks like real linoleum. In addition to reviewing this article (above) also

see CONGOLEUM-NAIRN FLOOR TILES & LINOLEUM - for more examples.

Here are two more photos of this a similar pattern "linoleum" sheet flooring provided by a reader who found it in a home in Nova Scotia, Canada.

You'll note the the red backer for this flooring differs from the product above. Red backer may indicate a rubber-based sheet flooring product.

That reader wrote:

My husband and I just started tearing up our kitchen floor when a friend warned us about asbestos. I feel the vinyl/cushion flooring I top is probably safe as it is after 1980’s but under this is layer of mdf wafer board which covers up some sort of sheet flooring.

I’m guessing 1930’s as it looks very similar to the image in the above article.

t has a dark red back and is very thin. It is not glued down but has. Ails here and there. I know you can’t guarantee anything from just a message description but I am wondering how likely it is to contain asbestos.

We have stopped but now our kitchen is at an unusable standstill. The house is probably Circa 1900-1930’s. It’s located in Nova Scotia Canada.. - Anonymous by private email, 2017/12/10

We replied that this flooring might contain asbestos in its backer; that's more likely when the backer is a black asphalt-impregnated felt paper.

As we note in the first article, some of these sheet flooring products loosely called "linoleum" may indeed contain asbestos. The US Forest Products Lab asserts that some forms of "linoleum" were glued to felt underlayment. (US FPL 2007), and some felt underlayment contained asbestos. I suspect yours does not, but you're right, you'd need to test a sample.

Keep in mind that if the material is intact and is not ground, sawn, or broken up so as to release debris, even if its backing contains asbestos the airborne levels over an intact floor may be below the limits of detection.

If the cost of the material justifies a lab test - which I recommend - use a certified asbestos test lab and keep me posted on the results. Typical lab tests for asbestos in a material cost about $50.

See ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST

To identify types of sheet flooring see RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

Age of this 1833 tudor revival with newer flower pattern tile

Found underneath the carpet of an 1833 tudor revival. Asbestos? Time period? - On 2022-06-28 by Marie

Reply by InspectApedia-911 (mod) -

@Marie,

Thanks for the nice photo of that flower design, typical of the 1970s, but ...

Without knowing when it actually was installed, or any additional markings showing the brand or style, it would be sensible to treat that flooring as presumed to contain asbestos, as well as the flooring backer material.

To know for sure you need to test a sample for asbestos, 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.

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

If you do find any markings or have it tested, please let us know the results as that will help other readers, too.

Does this 1960s Jute backed flooring in our Ontario Canada home contain asbestos?

We found this under after reming old carpet. It looks like linoleum jute backed. House is from 60’s in Ontario.

We are wondering if this contain asbestos. Thanks

On 2021-10-29 by Will

Reply by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - jute-backed does not contain asbestos

@Will,

As noted above on this page, if it is jute-backed, usually that flooring won't contain asbestos. (We recently found that there are a few exceptions.)

This same page describes other flooring products and the likelihood of them containing asbestos including products called 'linoleum' and other sheet flooring products.

Linoleum may be used as a generic term for a variety of older sheet floorings (sometimes incorrectly or at least confusingly).

You can learn more at:

ID TYPES OF SHEET FLOORING
https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Sheet_Flooring_Identification.php

And also at:

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? 5 Easy Steps to Follow
inspectapedia.com › hazmat › DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test

If you still are unsure and are going to remove the flooring and adhesive, treat it as presumed to contain asbestos: avoid making a dusty mess, wear protection. A good option is to leave such flooring in place and simply cover it over: less risk, less cost.

 

Asbestos Test Results for several linoleum or sheet flooring-covered floors in a 1908 Colorado Home

I am attaching testing results for flooring found in 1908 home in Colorado.

The floors tested were installed prior to my husband's family purchasing the property in the 1950s.

Blue gray test results 1908 home in Colorado. - On 2021-10-26 by Jill

Gray shag run linoleum pattern asbestos test result - below

Gray shag rug flooring results 1908 home in Colorado.

...

This shag pattern linoleum was found under living room carpet in 1908 home in Colorado.

Floral Linoleum Rug Asbestos Test Results - 1908 home

Rose pattern flooring results 1908 Colorado home.

This rose pattern linoleum was found under bedroom carpet in 1908 home in Colorado.

No asbestos detected in the early 1900s linoleum flooring shown below - 1908 Colorado home

We discovered these floorings in my husband's grandparents' home in Colorado built in 1908. No asbestos was detected in any of the floors.

The yellow one was in a closet. The rose one was under carpet in a bedroom. The shag rug looking one was under actual shag carpet and the blue/gray is still on the floor in the kitchen.

Yellow flooring & asbestos test results in 1908 Colorado home. On 2021-10-26 by Jill -

This linoleum sheet flooring was found in a closet of 1908 home in Colorado.

Reply by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - Asbestos not found in linoleum Rugs from 1908 Colorado Home

@Jill,

Thank you for this wealth of flooring photos and the relevant test results. Those are nice photos of of early linoleum "rugs" or sheet flooring.

Any chance you know or have any photos that show the brand, color name, or other type of identifying markings for these different examples?

That added information may prove helpful to other readers.

It was particularly important that your lab did, as they described, examine each of the different layers of material in the flooring, as some older sheet flooring that has an asphalt-impregnated felt backer did contain asbestos in the backer.

We'll be sure to keep these images and asbestos test results on-line as the images and reports will help other readers.

See also LINOLEUM, ASBESTOS FREE Congoleum Gold Seal & Others

What kind of floor is this in our 1976 home and could it contain asbestos?

Hello, I discovered this flooring under a slate tile floor we were removing.

Unfortunately, we had already disturbed it prior to realizing what this was. My house was built in 1976, and it appears this was laid right on the concrete slab. Do you recognize this flooring and could it contain asbestos? on 2021-06-27 by Pamela

Reply by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@Pamela,

Yes we have photos of that flooring in that pattern but in other colors in the article series at this website. That's likely to contain asbestos.

An authoritative answer would, of course, require testing.

Linoleum floor test found no asbestos in some & chrysotile asbestos in other products

@danjoefriedman,

Thanks for the lengthy reply. It was impossible to identify a brand on this flooring, so I ordered a quick turnaround test kit from Amazon. As you can see, there was NO asbestos in the flooring in question (sample #1 ).

It is 80% non-fibrous material and 20% synthetic fiber. However, I tested a few other floorings in the home, and as you will see, one in particular had 3% chrysotile. I will try to post a pic of that one in this thread in case it would be helpful to anyone. Thanks. - On 2021-03-24 by Jake -

On 2021-03-15 by (mod) - description of original linoleum floor covering composition / ingredients

@Jake,

I am absolutely so pleased that a reader found his way from one flooring topic to another through the maze of InspectApedia articles and links. Thank you for the photo and linoleum asbestos question.

First about the word "linoleum": that term has been so widely-used by many flooring manufacturers to describe "sheet flooring" that might or might not have been made of the true original constituents of linoleum that we're left unable to rely on a product's description as "linoleum flooring" as a basis to think the floor does or does not contain asbestos on the basis of use of the "linoleum" flooring type-name alone.

The original product was basically linseed oil and canvas. Other versions used a rubber type backing. Those did not contain asbestos.

As I note at https://inspectapedia.com/interiors/Linoleum-Asbestos-Content.php a lot of "linoleum" flooring does not contain asbestos.

But there are some "linoleum" floor products that did contain asbestos, in the flooring backer-layer.

Among older linoleum type floors I'm most-suspicious that there may be asbestos in linoleum type floor coverings if the backer is black - asphalt-impregnated felt as that material often contained asbestos.

Among modern "linoleum" floors from the 1970s some that used a gray or white backer contain asbestos.

Above on this page we state:

Some Congoleum sheet flooring and also some Armstrong sheet flooring included a red or possibly green rubber backing that is not an asbestos material.

If you can examine the backing of this sheet flooring there is a good chance you'll see an Armstrong or Congoleum imprinted logo - do send me a photo of what you see.

"Red backed sheet flooring by Congoleum is a rubber backing (not asbestos); green-backed sheet flooring is probably a similar product;

asphalt felt paper (some of which can contain asbestos) would normally be black (as it's an asphalt product)."

Therefore for your flooring I suspect that its green felt is a paper type backer that did not use asphalt (for damp-proofing) and is probably not an asbestos product, but to know for certain we'd need to either know the company - brand and product or we'd need to have a sample tested for asbestos.

MOre by Jake

Hello again, I posted this under vinyl sheet flooring, but you indicated that it is probably linoleum. (thank you for the reply Dan) Would this flooring then fall under the advice given above? "True linoleum wouldn't be expected to contain asbestos, and felt-back linoleum lookalikes generally won't contain asbestos either" Thanks again. Reposted original question:

Hello, curious as to your opinion on this vinyl sheet flooring. It appears in a 1953 brick ranch that we recently purchased; you can see the original hardwood underneath. My best guess is this was installed anywhere from 1960s-1980s. The flooring is a faux wood pattern with what appears to be green felt-like backing. Thank you,

Reply by (mod)

@Jake, thank you for that follow-up - yes that will help other readers.

Is there asbestos in this linoleum in our home built in 1900?

House built 1900. This is kitchen in basement ( mother in law ) ? With full bath and berm. The two rugs linoleum ? Wondering age pattern ? Asbestos in either or both? On 2020-10-28 by Denise

Reply by (mod) -

Possibly Denise.

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

will help you make a best guess short of actually testing the material

Does this green linoleum floor contain asbestos>

Found this under a tile floor and some underlayment. We already removed it as safely as possible. Someone else mentioned it may have asbestos after we finished. Look like a possibility? On 2020-08-01 by Jeff

On 2020-08-02 - by (mod) - does this linoleum contain asbestos?

Yes, Jeff depending on your answers to the questions posed at DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php

Any chance of abestos in the backing of vinyl sheet flooring installed in 1998

Is there any chance that vinyl sheet flooring installed around 1998 could contain an asbestos backing? When we started to remove the floor we found a light gray backing that is cardboard like and I think the product may have been Armstrong designer solarian. .but not 100% sure. On 2020-06-27 by Tiffany

Reply by (mod) - Unlikely

Tiffany

Not likely in the U.S. - where companies stopped using asbestos in flooring by 1986

What kind of linoleum is this in our 1967 home?

We have a 1967 home and no idea what type of linoleum we have. Do you recognize either of these patterns. Thanks for any help you can give!

On 2020-05-30 by Lisa. Miller

Reply by (mod) -

I would treat both of them as presumed to contain asbestos

if this linoleum contains asbestos?

Anyone know if this linoleum contains asbestos?

On 2020-03-23 by Mike

Reply by (mod) -

Mike

If that is an asphalt-impregnated felt backer of linoleum adhered to the surface in your photo it may contain asbestos.

See the easy-to-answer questions at DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php

 

How old is this Linoleum? 1940s?

Does anyone know how old this linoleum would be? I am assuming the 1940’a as we found some newspaper underneath it with that date. Would this have asbestos in the backing?

On 2020-03-14 by Colleen

Reply by (mod) - 1940s linoleum pattern

1940s is reasonable. And yes the backer may contain asbestos.

linoleum used in Texas schools in the 1940's

Was linoleum used in Texas schools in the 1940's On 2020-01-30 by Tony

Reply by (mod) -

I cannot say for fact, though that would be no surprise. It's a great research question.

Are these scraps historic linoleum?

These scraps were found on the beach recently in Burntisland, Fife, a few miles up the Firth of Forth from Kirkcaldy.

Do you think they're historic linoleum? How should I go about preserving them, as they are now drying out? (Kirkcaldy museum says it is understaffed and cannot get back to me for another few months.) On 2020-01-26 by Suzanne

Answer by (mod) - preserving asbestos-suspect flooring scraps from Burntisland, Fife

Another few months to get asbestos test results back? My goodness.

The colors look so bright that along with that white backing I'm doubtful that this is old historic linoleum flooring; more likely it's a modern flooring product.

The observation of a white or gray-white backer argues for modern sheet vinyl flooring.

Still if you wanted to preserve the fragments, as they dry it might be best to place them atop a few paper towels on a surface that won't be harmed by moisture, then place a folded paper towel atop, then weight the material with a flat object that also won't be damaged by moisture.

Check the fragments every day or so and change the paper towels if they're damp;

Asbestos in this flooring ina 1953 New York Home?

We just purchased a cottage and after removing the carpet we got this little surprise! It is looks like it is a if sheet and glued to the floor.

I broke a piece off to see what it looked like. Does it look like asbestos and if so, how do I safely remove the nails and staples from the carpet to lay a floor over it?

It’s in Western NY on Lake Erie and the cottage was built in 1953. The bedrooms have hardwood painted the same color, so I assume there is wood under it and this may have been added later?

Of course, I prefer the wood, but if there is chance of asbestos, we will lay a floor over it On 2020-01-23 by Janet

Reply by (mod) - old sheet flooring linoleum sometimes contains asbestos

Janet that looks like a linoleum sheet flooring product; depending on the home's country and city and age and of course flooring age, it may contain abestos, typically in the asphalt-impregnated flooring backer.

Just pulling out carpet tacks sent through the floor ought to merely leave tiny holes and most-likely no detectable airborne asbestos, but you can use damp wiping and HEPA vacuuming as clean-up to minimize the risks.

Leave the old flooring in place and install your new floor covering over it - safest and least expensive.

More options are found in the ARTICLE INDEX (above) for example a live link to ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION

 

Modern Linoleum Flooring

Moved to MODERN LINOLEUM FLOORS - separate article

Where to Buy Modern Linoleum Flooring & Linoleum Flooring

Moved to WHERE TO BUY LINOLEUM, RUBBER, CORK FLOORS

How to Identify Armstrong, Congoleum, & other Asbestos-Containing Resilient Sheet Flooring

Details about identifying older installations of sheet flooring or sheet-forms of resilient flooring that may contain asbestos are now found at RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE - live link is given just below.

Armstrong's sheet flooring is described at ARMSTRONG SHEET FLOORING

Linoleum Floor Restoration & Care Advice

MOVED to LINOLEUM FLOORING RESTORATION & REPAIR - Conservation resources

...

Continue reading at LINOLEUM FLOOR INGREDIENTS, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see LINOLEUM & SHEET FLOORING FAQs - questions and answers posted originally on this page.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION
• ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST
• ARMSTRONG RUBBER BACKED RUG PATTERNS
• ARMSTRONG SHEET FLOORING 1940 - 1980
• CONGOLEUM-NAIRN FLOOR TILES & LINOLEUM
  
• DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions help make a reasonable guess -
• DOMINION & Other CANADIAN FLOORING ASBESTOS
• FLOOR, RESILIENT VINYL or CORK
• IDENTIFY SHEET FLOORING TYPE
• LINOLEUM & OTHER SHEET FLOORING
• FLORAL PATTERN LINOLEUM & SHEET FLOORING
• LINOLEUM FLOOR HISTORY
• LINOLEUM ASBESTOS CONTENT?
• LINOLEUM, ASBESTOS FREE Congoleum Gold Seal & Others
• LINOLEUM FLOOR INGREDIENTS
• LINOLEUM FLOORING RESTORATION & REPAIR - Conservation resources
• LINOLEUM "LOOKALIKES" ADHERED to FELT
• MODERN LINOLEUM FLOORS
• WHERE TO BUY LINOLEUM, RUBBER, CORK FLOORS
• RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE
• SHEET FLOORING POSSIBLE ASBESTOS - 1960-1987
• SWEDISH TARKETT FLOORING POSSIBLE ASBESTOS

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