What Asbestos Tiles Look Like

Flooring made with asbestos often becomes discolored as it ages.

What asbestos tiles look like.

Step 3 date the tiles. Aibs are often hard to identify as they often look like normal building materials such as ceiling tiles plasterboard and panels. That s because the asphalt in the tiles breaks down over time and oil from the asphalt comes out of the tiles. Oily discoloration is often a strong indicator of asbestos in the tiles.

The materials below represent some common places where asbestos can be found. Vinyl or asphalt tiles that have these colors in it have a high likelihood of asbestos fibers. What does black mastic look like. We also seen very small asphalt asbestos floor tiles in a 1 1 2 size bonded to a jute backer fabric.

The tiles may appear stained or oily. Some ceiling tiles or suspended ceiling drop in panels are quite obviously made of fiberglass by visual inspection. You will only see black asbestos mastic after a floor covering has been removed. If you are unsure whether asbestos is present don t start work.

Asphalt asbestos plastic asbestos and vinyl asbestos floor tiles were sold in 6 x6 9 x 9 and in some years 12 x 12 sizes. That can leave the tiles looking oily discolored or grimy usually in patchy areas. When inspecting the tiles look for parts that are grayish brown dark gray dark brown or black. 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.

Asphalt is a main ingredient in asbestos tiles and the oil from the asphalt can leach out. Some of the flooring. While it is not possible to identify all forms of asbestos by mere visual inspection it is possible to identify some materials that are definitely not asbestos. Below are a few examples of aib in homes and buildings.

In most cases it is extremely difficult to determine the difference between an asbestos insulation board and a non asbestos material without specialist testing. As the name suggests black is its predominant color. One of the main ingredients used in old asbestos tiles was asphalt so they were primarily made in dark colors only. Asbestos is a highly fibrous material and these fibers interlock to help strengthen mastic insulation and many other household building products.

Unfortunately vinyl sheet flooring manufactured with an asbestos backing poses a serious exposure risk when it is disturbed. As you can see this method is not an exact science. Look at the ceiling tile material. Details of asbestos floor tile identification.