I recently discovered some floor tiles from the 1940s under a carpet in my home, and I'm considering removing them to install luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring. Is there a straightforward way to tell if these tiles are asbestos or not?
3 Answers
The only reliable way to find out for sure is to get a test done, but if the tiles are 9x9 inches, there's a good chance they contain asbestos. Personally, I’d recommend just installing the LVP right over the tiles instead of removing them; tearing them up can be a real headache!
It's tough to know without a proper test, but I'd guess there's a good chance it's asbestos. I encountered similar tiles in my basement, and you should also know that the adhesive (mastic) used to stick them down can also contain asbestos, like the black rubbery kind I had. Had to spend quite a bit to have mine removed!
If it turns out to be asbestos and you're planning to stay in your home, you might want to consider an encapsulated floor covering like 'Lagcoat.' Just a heads up: not disclosing asbestos during a sale can lead to legal issues. Encapsulating with a rated paint makes it safe to cover and gives you peace of mind!