Asbestos Floor Tiles

If you have original floor tiles in your home and it was built from the 1950’s to 1980 there is a good chance they contain asbestos. Here in the Dayton OH area the 9 x 9 tile size is what most inspectors flag as possibly containing asbestos. However, they can also be found in 6 x 6 and later in some 12 x 12 sizes. These are thin, vinyl look tiles   It’s worth noting that adhesive of the time typically contained asbestos too!

Undisturbed, they don’t give off asbestos fibers so they are not considered a hazard unless made friable or airborne. This is when you can ingest the fibers and they create a health concern. If you are not drilling, sanding, sawing or otherwise disturbing them they are perfectly safe. 

If you just don’t feel comfortable with them in the home removing them can be a DIY job if you take the right precautions. You’ll need to make efforts to contain the area with plastic, protect hvac ductwork and have an approved respirator. Some people simply cover it with fresh carpet or other hard surface floor coverings. This effectively seals it away from abrasions, encapsulating it from becoming airborne. Learn more about home construction and safety tips here.