Asbestos was once a popular building material, but it’s now a major cause of concern. Because it poses dangerous health risks, anybody working with asbestos must take stringent precautions.
Can or should you remove asbestos tiles yourself? Probably not, unless you have a specialized skill set, gear, and training. This article will explore the nature of asbestos floor tiles, the risks they pose, and the safest ways to manage them in your home.
Why There’s Asbestos in Floor Tiles
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber known for its strength and heat resistance. These properties made it a popular choice for various construction materials, including floor tiles. However, when asbestos fibers become airborne and are inhaled, they can cause serious health problems, like lung cancer and mesothelioma, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
Asbestos floor tiles were widely used in construction between the 1940s and 1980s. If your house was constructed during this period, it’s possible that your floor tiles contain asbestos.
Spotting asbestos floor tiles to remove can be challenging for the untrained eye. However, the general rule is, “If you think it’s asbestos, treat it like asbestos until you know it isn’t.”
The most reliable way to identify asbestos tiles is through professional testing. A certified asbestos inspector can take samples and have them analyzed in a laboratory. Without this test, it’s impossible to know for sure if the tiles are asbestos.
Asbestos was first declared a hazard by the EPA in 1971 under the Clean Air Act, but the mineral had been used in building materials for decades before that. As TOH Magazine has noted, before beginning any demolition on a house built prior to 1985, it’s safest to proceed under the assumption that asbestos may be present — not just in vinyl flooring, but also in furnace and pipe insulation, cement siding, ceiling tiles, and roof felt. Never rely solely on your own judgment or that of a general contractor to determine if asbestos is present.
Pro Tip: As abatement specialist Brian Fitzsimons explained on a recent This Old House project: “Asbestos is a hazard if the fibers get into the air and you breathe them in. If it’s intact and you’re not going to disturb it, it’s not a problem.”
One telltale sign TOH experts look for: the flooring’s condition. On a recent project, environmental specialist John noted that older linoleum in surprisingly good shape is actually a red flag. “The real giveaway is it’s in fantastic shape. Asbestos was the good stuff,” he told host Kevin O’Connor while inspecting ’70s-era linoleum. Even when the surface looks fine, the backing can contain a high amount of asbestos fibers.
Safe Handling of Asbestos Floor Tiles
We do not recommend removing asbestos floor tiles on your own. Asbestos is a dangerous material that can lead to future health complications and possibly death.
Strict regulations govern the removal and handling of asbestos at the federal and state levels. These laws are designed to protect workers and homeowners from the dangers of asbestos exposure. It’s best to leave handling materials like asbestos to the pros with the proper training and the best available equipment.
Professional Asbestos Removal Process
Though more expensive, professional asbestos removal is the best way to protect yourself and your family from the dangers of asbestos. This process involves several carefully executed steps to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.
Before removal begins, professionals thoroughly assess the area and develop a detailed removal plan. This includes the following steps:
- Identifying the extent of asbestos-containing materials
- Developing a containment strategy
- Creating a waste disposal plan
Professional removal techniques typically involve setting up containment barriers, minimizing dust and HEPA vacuuming all surfaces. Professionals will also double-bag all asbestos waste, label containers clearly and take the asbestos material to approved waste facilities.
The typical cost for asbestos removal is about $2,200, according to Angi. However, the size of the floor will have a major impact on the price.
Our Conclusion
Asbestos floor tiles, while potentially hazardous, can be safely removed with the right approach. Professional removal is always recommended. Prioritize safety, follow regulations, and consider both the health and environmental impacts of your decisions.
Professional abatement is far more involved than most homeowners realize. On a TOH TV project house, the removal of a 1950s vinyl floor required a crew in Tyvek suits and dual-filter respirators, with double-thick plastic sealing off the work area. After all large pieces are bagged, crews use HEPA-filtered vacuums to capture the tiniest fibers — the ones invisible to the naked eye — and then spray all surfaces with a polymer encapsulant before the space can be retested and cleared.
Learn More: How to Install Ceramic Tile Flooring
