If your home has floor tiles installed before 1980, there is a real chance those tiles contain asbestos — and removing them without testing first can put your family at risk. The good news: once you know what you are dealing with, there are safe options.
Why Were Asbestos Floor Tiles So Common?
Asbestos is a heat-resistant fibrous silicate mineral prized for its toughness and durability. Because of those qualities, it became a common ingredient in construction materials throughout much of the twentieth century — including vinyl flooring. When asbestos fibers are blended into building materials, they make the product stronger and more heat-resistant.
By the 1980s, the serious health risks associated with asbestos exposure had become undeniable, and its use in new products was banned. But that ban did not remove the asbestos already in existing homes. Today, many households unknowingly sit on flooring that can become hazardous when disturbed during removal or renovation.
How Do You Identify Asbestos Floor Tiles?
You cannot tell just by looking at a tile whether it contains asbestos — there is no visual giveaway. The safest rule of thumb is to treat any flooring installed before 1980 as potentially containing asbestos. To know for certain, you have two reliable options:
- Hire a licensed asbestos abatement specialist to inspect and sample the material
- Send a flooring sample to an accredited laboratory for testing
What happens if you breathe in asbestos dust? The fibers can become permanently lodged in your body — the human body cannot dissolve them. Over time, they may cause scar tissue to build up or trigger genetic changes that lead to cancer. That is why the asbestos industry’s decades-long concealment of these risks was so devastating: thousands of tradespeople who worked with asbestos-containing products have since died from related illnesses. Even today, thousands of people die each year from past asbestos exposure.
When Is Asbestos-Containing Flooring Actually Dangerous?
Here is an important distinction: asbestos floor tiles that are intact and in good condition are not considered an immediate hazard. The danger arises when the flooring becomes friable — meaning it can crumble under hand pressure. This can happen over time through humidity, moisture, or normal aging. It can also happen during removal itself.
When friable flooring releases asbestos fibers into the air, anyone who breathes that air is at risk. That is why disturbing old flooring without testing it first is never a good idea.
What Are the Two Main Types of Asbestos Floor Tiles?
Vinyl and asphalt asbestos tiles were the most common asbestos-containing flooring options used in homes and buildings throughout the twentieth century.
Vinyl Asbestos Tiles — also called plastic tiles, these were often used in high-traffic areas. Asbestos fibers were mixed directly into the vinyl resin during production. They were made in three main sizes: 9×9, 12×12, and 18×18 inches.
Asphalt Asbestos Tiles — these used asphalt and gilsonite as the primary binding agents, and were typically produced in 9×9-inch and 12×12-inch sizes.
How Can ES America Help?
As a licensed asbestos removal contractor, ES America follows all EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) protocols and regulations when removing asbestos-containing flooring materials. Source: EPA.
If you are concerned about your floor tiles or planning a renovation in an older home, we are happy to help you figure out your next step. Reach out to our team at services@es-america.com.