Floor Tile Adhesive Containing Asbestos

Containing between 15 and 85 percent asbestos these adhesives were manufactured mostly in the first half of the 20th century.

Floor tile adhesive containing asbestos.

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. While an expert test by a certified asbestos testing lab is required for sure identification of the asbestos content of most materials. But then asbestos was found to be a health hazard.

The adhesives used in numerous homes businesses and public buildings constructed before 1980 often contain between 1 and 25 percent asbestos depending on the purpose of the adhesive. This article provides dates of manufacture of asbestos containing adhesives mastics sealants and includes photographs and text describing the appearance of such products. Home was built in 1967 so asbestos was a concern the floor tiles are vinyl 8x8 and possibly contain asbestos so i am leaving those there and laying over them but the wall also had a different 4x4 ceramic tiles. However some companies produced asbestos adhesives as late as 1984.

Black mastic also known as cutback adhesive was commonly used to glue flooring tiles down. Thanks to reader r m. This type of adhesive was asphalt based and most likely contains asbestos whether or not the tiles. Black asphalt based floor tile adhesive often containing asbestos.

Ceramic floor tiles that are being demolished ground sanded or cut with a tile saw sometimes do contain asbestos if they are old enough to have been installed when asbestos was in common when used in grout tile bedding or in older homes with thin set tile mastic these tiles are deadly and could be hazardous and should be handled. It was also resistant to moisture oil grease heat alkalis and acids. For the photo and test information. Testing found 3 chrysotile asbestos in this floor tile sample.

Asbestos adhesive was used for asphalt flooring tiles and vinyl or linoleum sheet tile because it strengthened the flooring and made it more durable. See armstrong floor tile list 1969. These asbestos products can become hazardous as the adhesives become brittle and break down over time potentially releasing asbestos fibers into the air. This material is not friable unless some fool runs a power sander or scraper over it.

Vinyl is a type of plastic that has long been a popular material for floor tiles and sheets. Although it can be partly removed using organic solvents that approach is dangerous and unnecessary unless you are trying to restore a historic and valuable wood floor below. Unlike many asbestos containing materials vinyl asbestos flooring is generally safe to be around. Here is a picture.

But that changes as soon as you decide to remove it.