Asbestos Linoleum Sheet Flooring

Prior to the 1980s asbestos vinyl sheet flooring was very popular in homes.

Asbestos linoleum sheet flooring.

However you re not completely in the clear because asbestos was a common ingredient in the mastic used to hold these flooring materials to the subfloor. We are told. As with any asbestos containing material acm the first step to finding asbestos in linoleum sheet flooring and vinyl tiles is. While asbestos is useful as a binding agent in the manufacture of vinyl and rubber floor coverings it isn t needed to make linoleum tiles or sheet flooring.

The asbestos floor tile identification articles in this series illustrate that with the combination of design appearance and an idea of floor tile age many asbestos containing floor tiles or sheet flooring products can be reliably identified even before confirmation by a test by a certified asbestos testing laboratory. Southwest clean air agency recommends you use a certified asbestos abatement. Asbestos vinyl sheet flooring has two layers a top layer of vinyl and a bottom layer made from paper that contains asbestos. Before you begin the project to remove old vinyl flooring in your home you need to determine if the flooring contains asbestos.

If in performing the above test you discover your asbestos backed sheet vinyl flooring is tightly glued to any thing other than particleboard or plywood there may be no safe way for you to remove it. Asbestos removal is a hazardous process best undertaken only by a qualified professional. 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 vinyl sheet flooring can be more dangerous to remove than tiles if proper precautions are not practiced.

Click here to read more. 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. The jute backed sheet flooring below is a linoleum floor product not normally containing asbestos though some of that older flooring when it uses an asphalt saturated felt tar paper backing may sport asbestos in the backer. If you are removing the original vinyl floor from a home prior to 1980 you will need to locate a licensed asbestos abatement contractor to test your floor.

Unfortunately vinyl sheet flooring manufactured with an asbestos backing poses a serious exposure risk when it is disturbed. Dry asbestos particles are lighter than air wet ones are less prone to become air borne. A majority of the vinyl.