It is a fact that many old Australian homes are made with asbestos walls and roof. Don’t you know that asbestos might be in places that you aren’t expecting such as the floor? That should be a worry!
In the 1960s up until 1980s, asbestos was commonly used in various types of floor covering such as the lining of vinyl sheets (also known as “lino” or “linoleum”) and floor tiles. Asbestos in vinyl sheets and floor tiles was used for durability purposes. Surprisingly, it was also present in carpet underlay, which was made from hessian bags that had been used to transport asbestos.
The danger of asbestos in linoleum or floor tiles is a big concern for a number of reasons:
- Possible asbestos exposure is high, especially when ripping the lino.
- The lining is 100% chrysotile. (chrysotile also known as white asbestos and also associated with lung cancer)
- Lino can easily be ripped up and home renovators couldn’t avoid it when doing some work.
What you can do now is protect your family from breathing in the asbestos fibers when removing the old lino carpet. You have two options: treat the material as if it contains asbestos or have it removed by a professional asbestos removalist. If you are in Perth, JC Asbestos Removal offers asbestos vinyl flooring removal service and other services that pertain to the removal of asbestos flooring.
JC Asbestos Removal highly recommends the second option which is removal. We can help solve the asbestos floor tile problem using the remove or cover method to ensure that asbestos-containing material (ACM) will be totally out from your house or property.
The two methods to asbestos flooring removal are effective ways of removing the ACM in your floor tiles or linoleum. The remove method is more of a safe choice as getting rid of the asbestos-contaminated vinyl sheets and floor tiles make the house asbestos free. While covering the AC floor may result in the exposure of fibers if disturbed.
How will you know if asbestos is in your floor?
Here are factors you should look out for:
- Age – If the floor is installed between the 1920s and 1960s, there is a possibility of asbestos content.
- Dimensions – Floors sold during the asbestos days were 6”, 9” and in layers of 12 squares.
- Discoloration – Asphalt is a primary ingredient in asbestos tiles. The oil from it leaks as it wears out and can result in grayish brown or black stains on the tiles.
- Adhesive – Adhesive should be black in color. It contains 15 to 85% asbestos.
Asbestos fibers are microscopic in nature and are impossible to be seen with the naked eye. There is no visual indication for its presence; the only way to determine is to have it checked in the laboratory. If results are positive, get help from a licensed asbestos removalist!