Testing Asbestos Floor Tiles In New York

Found in many manufactured products prior to the mid 1980 such as pipe insulation ceiling and floor tiles paints caulking fire resistant clothing and brake pads.

Testing asbestos floor tiles in new york. On no account should you remove asbestos tiles yourself if you wish to remove asbestos cement glue from the bottom of the floor tile it s safer to use licensed asbestos removal team in your local area to prevent serious consequences arising should you breathe in the deadly material. For example if the test comes back as low risk you might want to get an expert in to repair any damage. In many cases the best thing to do about vinyl asbestos flooring is put a new layer of flooring on top of it. Containing asbestos might mean encapsulating the asbestos tiles in the basement instead of removing them altogether.

Asbestos testing kits are available in diy stores and online for between 10 and 45 but be aware that you may be charged an additional 25 to 40 fee to. Lab testing of flooring for asbestos content. Cork pattern vinyl asbestos floor tiles were produced in at least three hues by armstrong as well as montgomery ward and sears and possibly kentile and other companies. The best way to deal with asbestos floor tiles is to use a licensed asbestos removal contractor.

The same applies to medium risk. Above we show a 9 x 9 cork patterned vinyl asbestos floor tile found in a 1960 s ranch style home in new york. Samples tested will reveal whether there is a high medium low or negative asbestos risk. Identifying asbestos floor tiles.

Asbestos exposure may pose serious health risks. You could also seal it with a coat of epoxy floor paint. That said it can be difficult to get a level surface for the new floor especially if the old tiles have chipped away. Both these options will keep the asbestos trapped in the floor.

Containing the asbestos typically costs 15 25 less than removal because you won t have to pay for disposal costs. With both low and medium results you could consider laying new flooring over the existing. If you face a costly dusty messy demolition it may be appropriate to have a sample of the flooring tested. You can assume this floor tile contains asbestos.

New york state department of labor regulations relating to the hazards to public safety and health during the removal encapsulation enclosure repair or the disturbance of friable and non friable asbestos or any handling of asbestos material that may result in the release of asbestos fiber. Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the environment that is made up of long thin fibers that look similar to fiberglass. In many cases installing a new floor over the tiles encapsulates the asbestos fibers and is an acceptable way to manage the material.