asbestos in old vinyl flooring

http://cdn.brownstoner.com/5061e7a1b797b-.jpg

Hello — I am about to sign a lease on an apartment that has old vinyl flooring. The flooring is not in great shape, with a few holes and it is curling up on the edges. I am worried about any possible asbestos exposure for myself and my young child. I do not think the landlord will do anything about the floor except rent the apartment to someone else, although I think he would be fine if I was to paint the floor or install a new floor on top. Does anyone have any advice? I don’t mind what the floor looks like I just care about the health concerns. I do not know the year the floor was installed, but it does say “USE GAF FB-1 ADHESIVE AND VINYLWELD II” Thank you!

ute123

in Flooring 12 years and 9 months ago

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cate | 12 years and 9 months ago

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As far as one can tell based on looks, you probably have nothing to worry about. You can get it tested at KAM in Long Island City (put a sample in a baggie and drop it off; $20 per item). You don’t mention if the vinyl is throughout the entire apartment or just in one room, but if there is a problem, you could cover it with new cheap vinyl flooring (not paint).

steam_man | 12 years and 9 months ago

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Old vinyl tiles usually measuring 9″x9″ contained asbestos. That by no means is a definitive answer, and other tiles could have had it too. Another area for the asbestos was in the mastic. The only sure way to know is to send samples for analysis. I do not know any labs offhand but you could look them up on the ‘net.   Lastly, the most troublesome asbestos is friable. That which can become airborne. Your tile and mastic are not friable, so encapsulating them would be sufficient. Just avoid eating chipped tile.