Stain proof fireproof stylish and affordable vinyl products strengthened through the inclusion asbestos in their manufacture were a very popular choice in many new zealand houses.
Where to test for vinyl asbestos tile.
One of the main ingredients used in old asbestos tiles was asphalt so they were primarily made in dark colors only.
The asbestos floor tile identification articles in this series illustrate that with the combination of design appearance and an idea of floor tile age many asbestos containing floor tiles or sheet flooring products can be reliably identified even before confirmation by a test by a certified asbestos testing laboratory.
Vinyl or asphalt tiles that have these colors in it have a high likelihood of asbestos fibers.
But to test an individual sample of vinyl tile if mailed or dropped off at the facility will cost between 50 and 100.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the environment that is made up of long thin fibers that look similar to fiberglass.
Vinyl is a type of plastic that has long been a popular material for floor tiles and sheets.
Another time period that asbestos floors were popular in was between the years of 1920 and 1960.
Step 3 date the tiles.
Vinyl tiles with asbestos are all 12 12 or 9 9 tiles with asbestos.
Asbestos exposure may pose serious health risks.
You can either engage an asbestos remediation expert or obtain a test kit for.
Manufacturers have been using asbestos for decades so asbestos containing tiles come in a vast array of colours styles and sizes.
Local testing labs will test your vinyl tile for reasonable fees.
Unlike many asbestos containing materials vinyl asbestos flooring is generally safe to be around.
But that changes as soon as you decide to remove it.
Asbestos was used in vinyl wallpaper from the 1920s and in the vinyl floor tiles and sheet flooring that rose to prominence in the 1950s.
The definitive way to find out if tiles contain asbestos is to have them tested.
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.
To get an entire home tested for asbestos might cost in the hundreds of dollars.
9 9 vinyl tile and mastic.
Identifying asbestos floor tiles.
While there are some 12x12 vinyl tiles that don t contain asbestos we ve certainly had asbestos test lab reports back that did find asbestos in 12x12 vinyl flooring so in my opinion it makes sense to treat your 1970s flooring as containing asbestos or to have a sample tested before removal.
However you re not completely in the clear because asbestos was a common ingredient in the mastic used to hold these flooring materials to the subfloor.
