AIB: Asbestos insulating board. A lighter board that can release fibres more easily than cement.
Encapsulation: Sealing sound asbestos so it can stay managed in place.
Old plastic tiles often remain under laminate, carpet or newer vinyl. The tiles may be suspect, and the black adhesive below them may be a separate asbestos-containing material.
- Treat both the tile and adhesive as separate suspect materials.
- Do not grind black bitumen or sand the floor.
- Test before lifting flooring or preparing the surface.
Stop. Do not touch, drill, break or clean the suspect material.
Keep back. Keep people and pets away. Do not sweep or use a household vacuum.
Get advice. Call a trained professional and explain what you found and what happened.
Old plastic tiles often remain under laminate, carpet or newer vinyl. The tiles may be suspect, and the black adhesive below them may be a separate asbestos-containing material.
You cannot confirm asbestos floor tiles by size, colour or pattern. Do not sand, grind or lift them for a look. Test the tiles and adhesive before floor preparation or refurbishment.
Where old asbestos floor products may be hidden
Thermoplastic and vinyl tiles were used in kitchens, halls, bathrooms, schools, offices and shops. New coverings often sit directly over them. Removing a threshold or cupboard can reveal the earlier layer.
Black or dark brown adhesive may remain after tiles lift. It can spread across concrete, screed or timber boards. Do not assume the floor is clear because only a thin stain remains.
- Nine-inch and other old tiles
- Black bitumen adhesive
- Paper backing under sheet flooring
- Hidden layers beneath modern floors
Why appearance cannot give a safe answer
Many non-asbestos tiles use the same sizes, colours and marbled patterns. Old glue can also look like ordinary bitumen. A photo may help a surveyor choose sample points, but it cannot replace lab analysis.
Different rooms may have different installation dates. Test each material and distinct floor build-up affected by the work instead of relying on one result for the whole property.
The main risk comes from the planned work
Intact tiles are often more stable than soft insulation. Risk rises when tiles are snapped, mechanically lifted, sanded or ground. Floor grinders can disturb adhesive across a large area.
Tell the surveyor whether you plan to install resin, level the floor, chase services or remove screed. The survey must match the full depth and area of the work.
Remove, cover or manage the floor
A stable floor may sometimes remain under a suitable new system. That avoids disturbance but leaves a record for future owners and trades. The new finish must be compatible with the old floor and its condition.
Removal may suit damaged tiles, major refurbishment or a finish that needs a clean surface. The quote should state whether it includes tiles, adhesive, surface preparation and legal waste disposal.
Information that makes a floor quote useful
Give room sizes, photos, floor type, test results, access and the finish planned next. Mention fixed units, stairs, lifts and whether the building will stay open.
Ask how the contractor will control breakage and dust. Confirm what surface will be handed back and whether another trade must complete final preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Questions people ask next.
Are all nine-inch tiles asbestos?+
No. Size is only a clue. Testing is needed for a reliable answer.
Can I lay laminate over the tiles?+
Covering may be possible when the floor is sound, but record the material and avoid fixings that disturb it.
Does black glue always contain asbestos?+
No. It needs its own carefully chosen sample and lab result.
Can a flooring contractor grind it away?+
Do not allow grinding until asbestos has been ruled out and the work method has been checked.
