Vinyl Flooring Back In The 40s Asbestos

Identifying asbestos tile flooring by date.

Vinyl flooring back in the 40s asbestos.

Asbestos containing sheet flooring or resilient flooring product identification. Unfortunately vinyl sheet flooring manufactured with an asbestos backing poses a serious exposure risk when it is disturbed. This article describes sheet flooring products known to contain significant levels of asbestos. 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.

Asbestos vinyl sheet flooring has two layers a top layer of vinyl and a bottom layer made from paper that contains asbestos. Asbestos vinyl floor tiles were far from rare. 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. 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.

But when vinyl asbestos flooring is in good condition it is considered nonfriable. 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. 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. We are told that the paper layer can contain from 40 to 70 percent asbestos.

An example would be a floor slab made from asbestos cement. When vinyl asbestos flooring is crumbling or damaged it is considered friable. Asbestos tiles were popular widely advertised products found in all parts of the u s. In this case it needs to be removed very carefully to avoid asbestos exposure.

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.