Experience with asbestos?

Question

I'll explain two types of tile found in a 1950's house I recently bought... please tell me what your thoughts are on whether it may contain asbestos....

Floor tiles, a quick look on Internet and I found that they look very much like the Excelon Vinyl Asbestos floor tiles. I dug one up just to examine it (and will give a piece to a scientist friend to test). The tile is about 1mm thick, very hard surface, in fact when you drop a coin on it, it sounds like a ceramic tile. Slightly flexible but brittle. I cant see any fibres in the broken edge, but it looks kind of grey and powdery although no powder comes off.

The second suspect is some ceiling tiles. They're not the acoustic type, these are rectangular tiles, about 1cm thick. Where they drilled through for the light fittings, I can see the material beneath the surface. It looks kind of fibrous like hardboard. It's a light brown colour. The surface is kind of a fake stone white with little gold leaf star bursts on it (I know, how tacky is that!)

I will also grab a sample of that, but would like very much to hear your experiences. Thanks

Answer 1

I am going to answer your question so that I don't lose it.  My husband has worked with asbestos for the past 20 years.  I will ask him in the morning.  Just want to make sure after I get the information I can find where to put it.  

Sandy

Okay, the word is that the ceiling tile is probably just fine, if ugly.  It is PROBABLY not hot.  However, if your floor tiles are 8" or 9", they are most likely loaded with Amosite and Chrysotile , both forms of asbestos.

The floor tile is really not a problem though, as most asbestos is mostly not a problem as long as it is encapsulated as it is in floor tile.  It is only when you release the fibers that they become problematic.  You can remove the floor tiles yourself, and in most states you do not have to have a containment done, as long as it is your residence.  However, be careful when removing them and wear a face mask to keep from breathing in any loose fibers.

This from me, for being married to someone who likes to talk about his work...I have also heard him often say that the adhesive in a lot of this stuff is also hot.  So, you need to be cautious with that, as well.

Good luck.  We did our own renovations too, and I know what a job it is.  Please let me know if you have any  more questions about the asbestos and I will ask him.  He loves it! LOL  

Sandy