They are generally considered a low risk asbestos product as the dangerous fibres are better contained than in other materials.
What do vinyl asbestos tiles look like.
Asbestos is a mineral that lends fireproofing qualities to any substance it is mixed with.
Tiles that are disintegrating should be.
But the flooring companies aim wasn t so much to make the floor tiles fireproof as it was to make the tiles more durable.
One of the main ingredients used in old asbestos tiles was asphalt so they were primarily made in dark colors only.
Over time asphalt which was a main ingredient in asbestos tiles can degrade and cause the tiles to look grimy or discolored in spots.
Asbestos floor tiles were manufactured in three sizes.
What are asbestos floor tiles.
Step 3 date the tiles.
Resilient sheet flooring containing asbestos was also produced finding wide use as early as 1968.
This commonly consisted of both vinyl fleet flooring and vinyl asbestos tiles.
Some of the flooring tiles have come off and you see.
9 x9 12 x12 and 18 x18.
When inspecting the tiles look for parts that are grayish brown dark gray dark brown or black.
Examine the condition of the tiles.
Vinyl or asphalt tiles that have these colors in it have a high likelihood of asbestos fibers.
Intact asbestos tiles are not a major risk and can in fact be left in place and covered with other materials such as carpet vinyl linoleum or concrete.
For about 35 years flooring companies included asbestos when they manufactured the vinyl tiles.