How To Identify Asbestos Flooring in Pre-1980s Houses
Although now banned in residential construction, durable and heat-resistant Asbestos was a major component in many building materials up until the 1980s.
If your flooring contains asbestos, it’s important to take steps to identify it and remove it—especially if you’re planning a renovation or other project that could make these materials friable and cause the release of asbestos fibers. Asbestos flooring, including vinyl tiles, sheet flooring, and adhesives, was often installed in high-traffic areas in homes, including kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, hallways, and entryways.
Although the only way to know for sure whether your flooring contains asbestos is to have it professionally tested, there are a few factors that may indicate the presence of this hazard, including:
Your home was built before 1980
The underside of the existing sheet flooring has a dark brown or black felt backing
There are square vinyl tiles (possible VATs) that are over 40 years old
The flooring adhesive is black (a.k.a. black mastic)
If you suspect there is asbestos in your flooring, it’s important to have it tested and, if confirmed, have it properly removed, and the area remediated before you begin replacing it.