How Can I Tell If The Floor Tile In My House Has Asbestos In It?

Date : February 7th, 2010Category : Asbestos Stomach CancerAuthor : Editor5 Comments

Our house is over 50 years old. We are installing hardwoods and there is old school-tile kind of flooring above the plywood. We want to rip it out. Should I be concerned about asbestos? I’m pretty sure there is asbestos in the floor. Can it be removed safely?

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This entry was posted onFebruary 7th, 2010 at 5:04 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can Trackback..
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  1. photoguy

    There is a very good chance the tiles do have asbestos. But they are usually pretty safe because the fibers are embedded in the tiles and as long as they aren’t broken up the fibers aren’t friable. The part that is friable and often over looked is there was often asbestos in the glue used to put the floor down. Take a look at this site. They can test and there is also some good info there. http://www.asbestostesting.com/

    February 7, 2010 5:18 pm | #1
  2. Tina B

    There might be some, but probably not enough to bother you.
    As long as the tile isnt rotting, and turning to dust, to get into your lungs, you will be OK.
    If you want to make double sure, dampen some paper towels, lay them over the tiles as you pry them up. They will help to keep any dust down.

    February 7, 2010 5:23 pm | #2
  3. rob89434

    I would try calling a few flooring companies in your area and see if someone can test your flooring. Not many companies do it but you’ll find someone. Flooring 50 years old will have a high chance of having asbestos in it.

    February 7, 2010 6:07 pm | #3
  4. Cristi H

    You need to contact a testing firm. They are the only ones who can tell you for sure. Look in the yellow pages (that’s how I found the folks I used). Ask them how they want you to take the sample to send them and what to do to make sure the place you took the sample doesn’t give off asbestos dust (worst case scenario) then follow their directions and get the sample to them. They can do the test (I think our test, which was an insulation test, took a month and cost $15 dollars) and get back to you.
    If you have asbestos in those floor tiles you can’t remove it safely and should hire professionals. We have tiles that we will probably have to have professionally removed (not yet tested), and it isn’t cheap, but its a lot cheaper than treatment for lung cancer. I know, I sound all doom and gloom, but seriously, you don’t want to spend the next ten to 15 years waiting to see if you’re one of the unlucky ones, or worse yet, to see if you did a good enough job to keep the dust away from your spouse, or your kids.

    February 7, 2010 6:18 pm | #4
  5. Chris OE

    I believe a general rule of thumb is, if they are vct tiles that are under 12 inch squares they probably have asbestos…….if they are 12 inch squares they do not…………..

    February 7, 2010 6:25 pm | #5