Asbestos in Flooring

Flooring contractors routinely remove old flooring materials as part of renovation, remodeling, restoration, and demolition projects. While these materials may appear harmless, older flooring systems can contain asbestos in the flooring itself, adhesives, mastics, backing materials, underlayment’s, and other associated building products.

Disturbing asbestos-containing materials can release microscopic asbestos fibers into the air, potentially exposing flooring workers, other trades, building occupants, and property owners. For this reason, identifying suspect materials before flooring removal begins can be an important part of protecting workers, reducing liability, and keeping projects on schedule.

Asbestos was historically incorporated into numerous building materials because of its durability, heat resistance, and other useful properties. Flooring contractors may encounter suspect asbestos-containing materials during removal of older flooring systems, including:

• Vinyl floor tile
• Asphalt floor tile
• Sheet vinyl flooring
• Flooring felt and backing
• Black flooring mastics and adhesives
• Resilient flooring products
• Underlayment and associated materials
• Certain leveling and patching compounds
• Other materials located beneath or adjacent to flooring

A flooring product cannot reliably be determined to contain or not contain asbestos simply by looking at it. Laboratory analysis of representative samples is generally necessary to determine whether a suspect material contains asbestos.

Flooring projects can involve aggressive mechanical activities such as scraping, grinding, sanding, cutting, drilling, chipping, or breaking materials apart. These activities can damage asbestos-containing materials and potentially release fibers.

Even when the new flooring itself is asbestos-free, removing an existing floor can expose older layers underneath it. A contractor may remove carpet or newer vinyl flooring only to discover old tile and black mastic beneath it.

Finding suspect material after demolition has already started can create a much more complicated situation than identifying it before work begins.

Flooring installers and removal crews work directly at the surface where suspect materials are disturbed. If asbestos is present and appropriate precautions are not being used, workers could potentially inhale airborne fibers.

Testing suspect materials before disturbance allows contractors and property owners to make informed decisions about how the material may be handled.

When asbestos-containing material is identified, applicable federal, state, and local requirements can be evaluated and appropriately trained or licensed asbestos professionals can be brought into the project when required.

Discovering suspected asbestos halfway through a flooring project can bring work to a halt.

Workers may need to leave the affected area while samples are collected and analyzed. Contractors may then have to wait for laboratory results before determining whether removal can continue.

Pre-renovation asbestos testing can help identify these issues during project planning instead of after flooring removal has begun.

This allows contractors to establish a more realistic scope of work, schedule, and budget before arriving with a demolition crew.

Unexpected asbestos discoveries can become expensive.

If suspect materials have already been disturbed, additional expenses could potentially include environmental consulting, air monitoring, specialized cleaning, asbestos abatement, waste disposal, project delays, and other corrective measures.

Testing beforehand is relatively simple compared with addressing an asbestos issue after suspect materials have already been removed, broken, ground, or dispersed throughout a work area.

Flooring contractors frequently work in occupied homes, apartment buildings, schools, offices, retail locations, healthcare facilities, hotels, and other commercial properties.

Dust generated during flooring removal can migrate beyond the immediate work area.

Identifying asbestos-containing materials before demolition helps contractors and building owners determine the appropriate controls necessary to prevent unnecessary exposure and contamination.

Flooring contractors may want to be particularly alert when working in older structures or when encountering flooring materials of unknown age.

However, contractors can't not assume that a material is asbestos-free simply because a building has been renovated or appears relatively modern. Older flooring systems can remain buried underneath several generations of newer flooring.

A remodeled building may have carpeting installed over vinyl tile, which itself may be installed over another flooring system and adhesive.

Testing the suspect materials provides much greater certainty than relying on appearance or assumptions about the age of the building.

Flooring companies can incorporate asbestos awareness into their pre-job inspection process.

When suspect materials are discovered, the contractor can recommend that representative samples be collected and submitted to a qualified asbestos laboratory before removal begins. Depending on applicable regulations and project circumstances, sampling may need to be performed by an appropriately trained or licensed asbestos professional.

This approach can help flooring contractors:

• Protect employees and subcontractors
• Reduce potential exposure risks
• Avoid accidentally disturbing asbestos-containing materials
• Improve project planning
• Minimize unexpected shutdowns
• Reduce potential liability
• Provide customers with more complete information before work begins

EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides asbestos laboratory testing services for flooring materials and many other types of suspect building materials.

Samples can be analyzed to determine whether asbestos is present and, when applicable, the type and percentage of asbestos detected. EMSL also provides sampling supplies and access to laboratory professionals who can assist clients with analytical testing questions.

Flooring contractors, environmental professionals, restoration companies, property managers, building owners, and other professionals can utilize laboratory testing to identify suspect asbestos-containing materials before renovation or demolition activities disturb them.

A small sample collected before flooring removal begins could help prevent a much larger problem later.

For asbestos laboratory testing services and sampling information, contact EMSL Analytical, Inc. at 1-800-220.3675.