Test Floor Tile For Asbestos

You can either engage an asbestos remediation expert or obtain a test kit for which you ll remove a flooring sample.

Test floor tile for asbestos. However asbestos testing is essential before you rip them up. If the tiles or the floor beneath show oily discoloration the tiles very likely contain asbestos. Strategies for leaving asbestos containing floor tiles or sheet flooring safely in place in a building. Asphalt is a main ingredient in asbestos tiles and the oil from the asphalt can leach out.

In north america if asphalt or vinyl floor tiles or sheet flooring were made or installed before 1986 treat the floor as presumed to contain asbestos. To identify a particular asphalt asbestos or vinyl asbestos floor tile pattern color start in the image group most likely to be the same age as your building. Testing found 3 chrysotile asbestos in this floor tile sample. Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the environment that is made up of long thin fibers that look similar to fiberglass.

A small fee for the kit then a larger fee for the lab results. Sometimes the initial asbestos testing kit includes both the kit fee and the laboratory fee. Vinyl or asphalt tiles that have these colors in it have a high likelihood of asbestos fibers. The definitive way to find out if tiles contain asbestos is to have them tested.

Other times you pay twice. Asbestos exposure may pose serious health risks. As you can see this method is not an exact science. Step 3 date the tiles.

When pricing out asbestos testing kits be sure to ascertain whether you must pay twice. Tiles of this age often contain white asbestos chrysolite set in polymer. When inspecting the tiles look for parts that are grayish brown dark gray dark brown or black. The mastic itself usually has asbestos in it.

It is likely that this is an asbestos containing floor tile. At above left is a 12 x 12 vinyl asbestos floor tile found in a home built in 1969. See armstrong floor tile list 1969. Also it helps to know whether or not a pre paid mailer is included.

One of the main ingredients used in old asbestos tiles was asphalt so they were primarily made in dark colors only. Choosing an appropriate material to cover up or coat the surface of a sound well adhered floor can protect against future damage or asbestos particle release in the building. You can t see it if the floor is intact but you can spot the black adhesive if some of the tiles have already popped off the floor. Black backing on peeling tiles asbestos flooring often has black mastic which is a type of adhesive on the back.