Inspecting Your NJ Floor Tiles for Asbestos? Here’s How to Tell

After WWII, schools, public buildings, and homes were built using asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACM), which have since been banned due to life-threatening effects. The problem we face today in New Jersey involves the unknown use of asbestos material in the buildings of homeowners with homes built before 1980, as well as property managers and landlords with commercial buildings. Even houses built in the 1990s or 200s have been found to contain asbestos in rare instances. It’s better to play it safe when it comes to asbestos.

Unfortunately, New Jersey is home to the 8th highest number of asbestos-related deaths. The Environmental Working Group Action Fund reported that between 128,000 to 160,000 people in the nation died (from 1999 to 2013) from asbestos exposure, including 9,395 who lived in New Jersey. As such, inspecting your floor tiles (where asbestos is most commonly found) could save you from various health risks that develop gradually, turning into serious diseases like mesothelioma.

The inspection process involves assessment, sampling and laboratory studies, risk assessment, abatement planning, and management. If you’re concerned about asbestos in your NJ home’s floor tiles, learn how to identify potential asbestos and take the necessary steps to protect yourself.

Visual Clues of Asbestos Floor Tiles in NJ

Asbestos vinyl tiles can come in every design and color. However, they’re most commonly found in light blue, cream, pink, and green colors. Vinyl floor tiles are traditionally mixed with asbestos for improved insulation and fire damage resistance. 

Moreover, they’re used in houses, hospitals, schools, and commercial buildings. The glue used to install these tiles also contains asbestos.

Most Popular Manufacturers of Asbestos-Containing Flooring:

• American Biltrite
• American Olean Tile Company
• Amtico Floors
• Armstrong World Industries
• Fibreboard Corporation
• Congoleum Corporation
• EverWear Inc.
• Flintkote Company
• General Aniline & Film (GAF) Cooperation
• Goodyear
• Kentile Floors
• Montgomery Ward
• Sears-Roebuck

Don’t rely solely on a visual inspection. To adequately assess the risk, all suspected floor tiles need to be tested for asbestos percentage amounts. Therefore, professional testing is strongly suggested for all vinyl tiles, wallpapers, and sheets to avoid long-term serious health problems.

What Makes Asbestos Dangerous?

Asbestos forms a group of fibrous minerals traditionally used to strengthen and fireproof materials. Inhaling asbestos fibers causes diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. The inhaled asbestos has been proven to become trapped in the lungs. This is why over 50 countries have banned its use and passed legislation that requires regulation concerning old building renovations.

Determining the Age of Your Home

The age of your home will determine the likelihood of asbestos-containing floor tiles. Find out if your home was built around 1980 to check for asbestos-containing materials. Even houses built after 1980 can contain asbestos in rare instances, so it doesn’t hurt to get it looked at or checked out just because it was built in the 1990s or even 2000s.

Consider typing your address on Google search to find sites that list government records on the property, including the age. Another option is to check on Zillow for key features related to off-market homes.

Why You Should Check for Asbestos in Floor Tiles

In 1989, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the use of asbestos. Due to its heat-resistant, fibrous, and silicate material, asbestos was commonly used in all sorts of construction projects. Every homeowner or renter should examine floor tiles for traces of asbestos, as flooring is still the most common place where asbestos is found.

Ultimately, the safest, surest, and simplest way to remove asbestos is to hire a professional abatement company. 

What to Do If You Suspect Asbestos

If Tiles Are Undisturbed

Tiles that have been untampered with and show no signs of wear and tear, such as zero cracks, pose minimal risk. These can be left undisturbed, and there is no need to take them out. However, new flooring is highly suggested. If you suspect there has been any kind of damage, consider getting professional testing for peace of mind.

If Tiles Are Damaged or Need Removal

Although the EPA issued the Asbestos Ban and Phase-Out Rule, aiming to enact a full ban on the production and sale of asbestos-containing materials, it wasn’t quite successful. The United States, despite the common health risks, continued to circulate products.

Therefore, it’s crucial to inspect vinyl flooring for asbestos fibers. If the flooring has been damaged, asbestos fibers are more likely to leak into the air and cause health risks.

Hiring licensed asbestos abatement professionals can save you a ton of worry and potentially serious health problems down the line.

Asbestos Inspection Overview

Bricks Asbestos & Demolition inspects for asbestos in 5 easy steps.

1. Initial Assessment

Our trained, licensed team of professionals inspects the property by checking insulation, floors, roofs, and electrical components. RI liquids are used to identify asbestos fibers using polarized light microscopy (PLM).

2. Asbestos Sampling

The material samples carefully collected during assessment are sent to accredited laboratories for analysis. An accurate number is generated for how much ACMs need to be removed without releasing the fibers into the air.

3. Risk Assessment

After receiving the sample analysis, our team conducts a comprehensive assessment of your property’s potential health hazards. These risk assessments give us the necessary understanding of implementing the best mitigation strategies.

4. Sample Documentation

The latest state and federal regulations require us to include proper documentation of all asbestos sampling procedures, protocols, and results. This way, we ensure full transparency and traceability throughout every procedure.

5. Management or Abatement Planning

Lastly, based on the assessment and risk evaluation, we develop an abatement plan to address your property’s asbestos hazards. This includes outlining strategies for containing, removing, or managing asbestos-containing materials.

New Jersey Asbestos Abatement Regulations

The Asbestos Control & LIcensing requires that state-certified companies and individuals perform all asbestos abatement work. This involves the application, enclosure, repair, removal, and encapsulation of all asbestos-containing materials.

Why Choose Professional Asbestos Testing and Removal?

Without samples being sent to the lab, no accurate evaluation of asbestos-containing materials can be made. ACMs are found in over 3,000 different types of commercial properties.

Therefore, since asbestos is a dangerous substance, DIY removals are not legal for public health reasons. A license and proper protocols and equipment are required. You can be exposed, contaminated, and even fined if you try doing it yourself.

Professional and expedient asbestos abatement team inspects, tests, and removes asbestos from building floorings to:

• Protect human health
• Maintain legal compliance
• Prepare for a property sale
• Occupational safety
• Insurance coverage
• Preventative maintenance

Conclusion

Luckily, Brick Asbestos & Demolition has more than 38 years of experience. Our company is a licensed asbestos contractor serving property owners in New Jersey.

If you think your property may have asbestos, contact us to schedule an inspection. We’ll evaluate your space and give you an accurate estimate for removing any asbestos and any demolition work that needs to be done. Call 1-800-773-6220 to schedule an inspection.