Asbestos was a very common additive used in building materials in the early to mid 20th century, especially for otherwise brittle items such as floor tiles, cement siding, and roofing shingles.

The fibrous nature of asbestos added stability to many products and it’s fire-retardant nature made it a seemingly wonder material, as it was a cheap, inexpensive way to extend the life of a wide range of building materials used in homes, businesses, and schools as well as in industrial settings.

Unfortunately it took decades to discover that asbestos fibers can be highly carcinogenic if inhaled in great volume, leading to the usage of asbestos being banned in most countries around in the world in the 1960s and 1970s.

The potentially deadly legacy of asbestos still lives on in the US, as many older homes and buildings still have asbestos material. Asbestos tile flooring (primarily sheet flooring) is a particular concern, as it was often covered underneath carpet or other flooring and still remains in many homes.

Asbestos Floor Tiles in Your Home

If you believe you have asbestos floor tile in your home, the first thing to remember is that it’s not the end of the world. Asbestos is only dangerous when made friable and airborne, so any asbestos tile flooring in your home is likely 100% safe as long as it’s not broken up and disturbed.

Keep in mind that you have options when it comes to handling the situation; in some cases the best course of action is to leave the tile flooring undisturbed and cover and encapsulate it in place, so you’ll need to explore the resources and articles here before making a decision as to whether to remove it or not.

Like any topic such as picking a vacation destination from travel blogs and relying solely on their advice, you’ll need to carefully weigh your options before any decision about asbestos in your home.