Asbestos Adhesive Under Sheet Vinyl Mastic

We are told that the paper layer can contain from 40 to 70 percent asbestos.

Asbestos adhesive under sheet vinyl mastic.

Vinyl asbestos tile and asphalt tile contain asbestos fibers as did some asphaltic cutback adhesives and the backings of many sheet vinyl floorings and lining felts. Possible signs of asbestos mastic include discoloration and an oily texture. Today most adhesives are not compatible with cutback because it is an oil based product. Some of the flooring tiles have come off and you see thick black adhesive underneath.

Containing between 15 and 85 percent asbestos these adhesives were manufactured mostly in the first half of the 20th century. Asbestos adhesives were often used to install wood floors vinyl tiles and other types of flooring. Black mastic also known as cutback adhesive was commonly used to glue flooring tiles down. Asphaltic cutback adhesive is black in color and is usually found beneath vinyl tiles and flooring.

Asbestos fibers were used as a strengthening material in roof flashing cements as well as in flooring mastics and cutback adhesives. Asbestos was used in those forms in vinyl asbestos flooring in both floor tile and sheet flooring forms. It is a black asphalt based adhesive frequently used in the past to install vinyl asbestos tile asphalt tile and vinyl composition tile often containing asbestos. Depending on what type of flooring product is being installed on top of the cutback adhesive you do have some options.

Therefore if your house was built or remodeled around 1984 or before there is a chance that black mastic adhesive on your floor may contain asbestos. If your building was built before 1980 mastic mixed with asbestos may have been used to seal your tiles to the floor. Asbestos vinyl sheet flooring can be more dangerous to remove than tiles if proper precautions are not practiced. Asbestos mastic will also always be black in color.

Color photo guide to asphalt asbestos and vinyl asbestos floor tiles 1900 1986 using dominant floor tile color to identify the probable asbestos containing floor tile brand pattern and age. Here is an asbestos floor tile identification key sorted by primary flooring color. Beige black blue brown tan wood tone gray green red white yellow etc. Asbestos was mixed with this product to make it more durable.

As such adhesive manufacturers view all old adhesives as contaminates. The presence of the asbestos in these products is not readily identifiable. One of the most common flooring adhesives is called black asbestos mastic wall panels. Dry asbestos particles are lighter than air wet ones are less prone to become air borne.