How To Identify Asbestos Vinyl Sheet Flooring

The vinyl asbestos floor tile package label information combined with a simple comparison of tiles in the package with tiles installed in the building may be sound confirmation of asbestos containing materials.

How to identify asbestos vinyl sheet flooring.

In north america if asphalt or vinyl floor tiles or sheet flooring were made or installed before 1986 treat the floor as presumed to contain asbestos. Vinyl sheet flooring known to contain asbestos known asbestos containing vinyl based sheet flooring. Click here to read more. Mastic is a type of glue used to adhere tiles and vinyl flooring to the subfloor.

Historical information about the dates of flooring installation may also be sufficient to rule in or out the possibility that flooring in a building contains asbestos. If your building was built before 1980 mastic mixed with asbestos may have been used to seal your tiles to the floor. Possible signs of asbestos mastic include discoloration and an oily texture. There we explain that simple visual inspection can often distinguish among linoleum jute or burlap backed asphalt saturated felt backed flooring vinyl sheet flooring white or light colored backing and cork simple visual appearance.

Product photos both branded and un known sheet flooring brands. Click to enlarge any image. To identify a particular asphalt asbestos or vinyl asbestos floor tile pattern color start in the image group most likely to be the same age as your building. Asbestos mastic will also always be black in color.