Asbestos Ceramic Tile Adhesive

In addition to the tiles themselves a layer of mastic a type of adhesive below the tiles is also likely to contain asbestos.

Asbestos ceramic tile adhesive. It is always safest to leave asbestos flooring removal to asbestos abatement professionals. Asbestos adhesive was used for asphalt flooring tiles and vinyl or linoleum sheet tile because it strengthened the flooring and made it more durable. Thousands of workers harmed by asbestos exposure have filed lawsuits against asbestos adhesive manufacturers to seek compensation for their medical costs and suffering. Traditional ceramic tile installations were bedded in cement photo at page top not mastic and not an asbestos containing material.

But then asbestos was found to be a health hazard. You can t see it if the floor is intact but you can spot the black adhesive if some of the tiles have already popped off the floor. Even if the vinyl flooring is pulled up intact the old adhesive underneath may also contain asbestos. Asbestos flooring often has black mastic which is a type of adhesive on the back.

Manufacturers have been using asbestos for decades so asbestos containing tiles come in a vast array of colours styles and sizes. This type of adhesive was asphalt based and most likely contains asbestos whether or not the tiles. Black mastic also known as cutback adhesive was commonly used to glue flooring tiles down. If it is 9 by 9 in 230 by 230 mm 12 by 12 in 300 by 300 mm or 18 by 18 in 460 by 460 mm there s a chance that there s mastic adhesive with asbestos under your tiles.

It was also resistant to moisture oil grease heat alkalis and acids. Armstrong produced the excelon tile series beginning with a plastic asbestos floor tile series in 1954 referring to the product as vinyl plastic asbestos floor tiles beginning in 1955 and vinyl asbestos tiles from 1957 to 1980. The tiles may have asbestos too. Some tile mastics and adhesives including adhesives used for floor or wall tiles did contain asbestos as a filler or fiber strengthener.

In the 1990s for example two engineers filed lawsuits against north american refractory company narco. Resilient sheet flooring containing asbestos was also produced finding wide use as early as 1968. Common in homes built in the 20th century black mastic was used as an adhesive for ceramic tile linoleum and other flooring materials. How to remove asbestos tiles safely.

Asbestos in tile mastics. When you remove that floor covering to make way for new flooring you may encounter the mastic and wonder whether it is safe to remove the main concern surrounding this question is that black mastic often contains asbestos.