Vinyl Flooring Back In The 40s Asbestos

Asbestos was used in vinyl wallpaper from the 1920s and in the vinyl floor tiles and sheet flooring that rose to prominence in the 1950s.

Vinyl flooring back in the 40s asbestos.

An example would be a floor slab made from asbestos cement. When vinyl asbestos flooring is crumbling or damaged it is considered friable. We are told that the paper layer can contain from 40 to 70 percent asbestos. Like floor tiles vinyl sheet flooring is a long lasting and economical material and it also offers more aesthetic options to suit a homeowner s taste.

Asbestos vinyl sheet flooring has two layers a top layer of vinyl and a bottom layer made from paper that contains asbestos. Identifying asbestos tile flooring by date. In this case it needs to be removed very carefully to avoid asbestos exposure. We describe sources of asbestos in older forms of sheet flooring including felt backed flooring rubber backed flooring and vinyl cushion backed resilient flooring products.

This article describes sheet flooring products known to contain significant levels of asbestos. Asbestos testing kits are available in diy stores and online for between 10 and 45 but be aware that you may be charged an additional 25 to 40 fee to process the sample at the lab. Our photo left shows armstrong excelon 12x12 vinyl asbestos flooring made in 1972 identified in our floor tile photo guide asbestos floor tile identification photos 1949 1959 detailed photo guide to asphalt asbestos and vinyl asbestos floor tiles and resilient flooring produced in 1900 1980. Stain proof fireproof stylish and affordable vinyl products strengthened through the inclusion asbestos in their manufacture were a very popular choice in many new zealand houses.

Asbestos vinyl sheet flooring can be more dangerous to remove than tiles if proper precautions are not practiced. While there are some 12x12 vinyl tiles that don t contain asbestos we ve certainly had asbestos test lab reports back that did find asbestos in 12x12 vinyl flooring so in my opinion it makes sense to treat your 1970s flooring as containing asbestos or to have a sample tested before removal. Asbestos vinyl floor tiles were far from rare. Unfortunately vinyl sheet flooring manufactured with an asbestos backing poses a serious exposure risk when it is disturbed.

Asbestos containing sheet flooring or resilient flooring product identification.