Asbestos Found in Asphalt Floor Tile

Till the whistle was blown on asbestos linking it to malignancy in the 80s, asphalt floor tiles were used prolifically. And asphalt floor tiles contained asbestos. Asbestos made them easy to manufacture, produced durable tiles, and enabled cost effectiveness. The tiles were a mix of limestone, asbestos, plasticizer, stabilizer, binder, and pigment. The qualities that made the product so popular included:

• Scratch-proof and did not crack easily
• Strong and able to withstand high temperatures
• Flexible
• Resistance to moisture, oil, grease, heat, acids and alkalis
• Dimensional stability that prevented expansion or contraction

Asphalt floor tiles were popular with the manufacturer as well as the user. 

Asbestos Exposure from Asphalt Floor Tiles

Unless you live in a home made after 1990, chances are that there is asbestos in the tiles or in the flooring below the carpeting. But these are not harmful in any way so long as there is no damage like breakage or any other way by which the asbestos fibers come loose. As long as you continue the way it is, there is no risk of asbestos exposure. If you are considering renovation, then you must consult a professional.

You may want to replace the tiles with new, non-asbestos tiles or with a wooden flooring. What you need to know is that using power tools to cut out the old tiles will release asbestos fibers into the air. To sand the tiles will also have the same effect. There is glue beneath the tiles which also have asbestos. That must also be removed. Even if the job is done with great efficiency and speed, any amount of asbestos dust that the process emanates will eventually create health problems. The ideal way is not to disturb the old tiles and simply lay the new non-asbestos tiles or flooring material on top of it.

Asphalt Floor Tiles Containing Asbestos Fibers

Whether you choose to change your flooring yourself or hire professionals, some precautions necessary to minimize the risk of asbestos fibers getting released into the air are listed below:

• Do not sand the asbestos floor tiles or the glue beneath
• Do not use any power tool that may break the tiles
• Before you do anything to the tiles, soak the entire floor with plenty water for at least 30 minutes. This will make the fibers heavy and unable to float if they do come loose in the process
• Do not use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust as it will not trap asbestos fibers
• When you start cleaning, use a soaking wet mop
• Transfer all debris and all cleaning materials to polythene bags with zip locks or sealable drums for disposal. Also label these appropriately.