Jump to content

Could these be asbestos floor tiles ?


Recommended Posts

Hi,

 

Wasn't sure which forum to best post this in, just in middle of renovation and lifted carpet in the airing cupboard today ahead of tank being removed and new system being put in so floor boards all need lifting and discovered some thin vinyl like tiles on black type adhesive.  Had a recent asbestos cement board incident and when reading about that saw some info on vinyl floor tiles, here are some images, what do people reckon - guess they could be asbestos ones - also bit worried about having lifted the carpet that hasn't been moved in years and wandering if could have released anything lying dormant in there ?

 

IMG_6592.JPG.98c69cb62ffabbef40fac614488438d2.JPG

 

1290809946_IMG_6593(1).JPG.de226f2596bac06fe3016626146bf6a7.JPG

 

They are very thin, less than 1mm,

 

Many thanks,

 

Lawrence

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for all quick replies, looks like the tiles are still there, they are very thin or could be just the remnants after tile been removed and somehow left the coloring as they are wafer thin, have contacted local company about best way to proceed, guess getting some tested is looking like sensible route, guess now more worried about if I released any fibres when I pulled the carpet back, hasn't been lifted in all the time I havde been here (10 years) and was gently stuck in some places as underside of carpet had black in places, teach me not to wear a decent mask when messing with old carpet and underlay but just wander if some would have been released into the house and is floating around ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, Loz said:

Thanks for all quick replies, looks like the tiles are still there, they are very thin or could be just the remnants after tile been removed and somehow left the coloring as they are wafer thin, have contacted local company about best way to proceed, guess getting some tested is looking like sensible route, guess now more worried about if I released any fibres when I pulled the carpet back, hasn't been lifted in all the time I havde been here (10 years) and was gently stuck in some places as underside of carpet had black in places, teach me not to wear a decent mask when messing with old carpet and underlay but just wander if some would have been released into the house and is floating around ?

I wouldn't worry, even if they do contain asbestos you haven't been smashing them up or cutting with a grinder etc. Although the threat of asbestos is real you have to remember there are loads of people out there who worked with the stuff, demolished buildings with no protection and many of use breathed `fresh` air with brake dust from vehicles.

The main point is minimizing your exposure and being careful has done just that.

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, Loz said:

Thanks for all quick replies, looks like the tiles are still there, they are very thin or could be just the remnants after tile been removed and somehow left the coloring as they are wafer thin

Google for Marley floor tiles, that's what people seem to call old floor tiles that contained asbestos. I've attached a picture of one from my kitchen. They look nothing like your tiles. 

 

But I have no idea what your tiles might be. 

 

 

IMG_20210720_153225_420.jpg

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have had asbestos tiles in demo/refurbs. They have never bent like that photo. Always came off clean or snapped.

So first check them out.

If asbestos reinforced then I think they are low risk, and I don't think need any special training, but you do not want dust.

Plenty of people have been unaffected but plenty have suffered. 

There will be a leaflet online from HSE saying something like:

wet the area, wear disposable gloves and mask. then do the double bagging thing.

If you are not a business, then you can take them to the municipal tip and hand it over for safe disposal (all contaminated stuff seems to go to Peterborough)

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi,

 

Thanks for everyone who took time to reply, broke some pieces off with a wall paper scraper as advised by testing company and had them tested this morning (£48 for same day) and the mastic/adhesive was clear but the tiles contained chrysolite asbestos, the company seemed pretty relaxed about it whereas I was concerned had released fibres breaking the tile to get samples (I was in proper mask and gloves) - they said almost impossible to release the fibres from breaking them as so well bonded (unlike cement board where apparently more easily released) and this was backed up by removal company that spoke to who just said stick mask on and pull them up (going to chop the floorboards and lift them that way) and don't worry if break.  What is weird if you go online there everything points to breaking them releasing fibres, no idea who is right, asked if should get air reassurance test done and they said would be waste of money. So guess what is done is done and will wipe area down and get on with rest of renovation and hope more doesn't show up anywhere unexpected.

 

Lawrence

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

@Loz we had a controlled demolition to do, Asbestos cement roofing sheets, we were not allowed to pull the building over as this would shatter a lot of sheets at the same time so we were told to take them off by hand, smashing the bolts through with a hammer or breaking the sheets and sliding them down the roof to be put into a skip (covered).

Take reasonable steps to minimise dust and inhalation but listen to the testing people, they know best and rarely go the scare mongering route

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

worry not. the HSE say this 

71 In certain types of ACM, the asbestos fibres will usually be firmly linked in a matrix and will not be released easily. This includes: ■ asbestos cement, (unless it is substantially fragmented, crushed, or otherwise significantly damaged); ■ textured decorative coatings; ■ paints with asbestos, any article of bitumen, plastic, resin or rubber which contains asbestos where its thermal or acoustic properties are incidental to its main purpose, such as vinyl floor tiles, electric cables and roofing felt.

 

it is not licensable. you have spoken to experts who have told you not to worry.

 

 

https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a23.pdf

 

I assure you that most 'specialists' will not go to quite these lengths unless in an occupied building.

Edited by saveasteading
added reference
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 minutes ago, saveasteading said:

worry not. the HSE say this 

71 In certain types of ACM, the asbestos fibres will usually be firmly linked in a matrix and will not be released easily. This includes: ■ asbestos cement, (unless it is substantially fragmented, crushed, or otherwise significantly damaged); ■ textured decorative coatings; ■ paints with asbestos, any article of bitumen, plastic, resin or rubber which contains asbestos where its thermal or acoustic properties are incidental to its main purpose, such as vinyl floor tiles, electric cables and roofing felt.

 

it is not licensable. you have spoken to experts who have told you not to worry.

 

 

https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a23.pdf

 

I assure you that most 'specialists' will not go to quite these lengths unless in an occupied building.

 

Thanks for reply, is looking like of all the things to have chyrsolite vinyl floor tiles is not the worst, and worrying less now as speaking to people some of them wouldn't either bother with mask when getting a sample which seems pushing it a bit far but does suggest they believe chance of fibre release very minimal, good news as last night was thinking contaminated the whole house !

 

Lawrence

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This website will link you into the nearest council that will take your bag of tiles.

https://www.gov.uk/asbestos-in-home

or just search in your local council website.

 

They will tell you to wear gloves and a mask, keep stuff a bit damp,

Put the tiles gently into a sturdy bag (most polyethene bags will tear with tiles so maybe a box first.

Then tie the bag up and put it in another bag.

Phone to tell the council you are bringing it, and hand it over formally.

there will be a form to fill in, and they will welcome your test statement.

 

They should not charge, because they really do not want to encourage fly-tipping of this stuff.

 

now get on with it and report back when successfully handed over.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, saveasteading said:

This website will link you into the nearest council that will take your bag of tiles.

https://www.gov.uk/asbestos-in-home

or just search in your local council website.

 

They will tell you to wear gloves and a mask, keep stuff a bit damp,

Put the tiles gently into a sturdy bag (most polyethene bags will tear with tiles so maybe a box first.

Then tie the bag up and put it in another bag.

Phone to tell the council you are bringing it, and hand it over formally.

there will be a form to fill in, and they will welcome your test statement.

 

They should not charge, because they really do not want to encourage fly-tipping of this stuff.

 

now get on with it and report back when successfully handed over.

Thanks for reply, looks like there is place I can dispose of once up, really relieved as last night thought whole house was swimming in fibres but seems very difficult to actually release any from tiles,

 

Lawrence

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...