Is There Asbestos in That Tile?

One of the most common concerns that people have when talking about asbestos, mesothelioma and related issues is that asbestos is typically found in tile. The issue is that intact flooring tiles are often left in place, even if they contain asbestos. Therefore, homeowners who are looking to renovate are left to wonder if they have asbestos tile or not.

It’s a very valid concern, as demolishing tile with asbestos can release those particles into the air. They can then be inhaled and can become incredibly dangerous, no matter how old they are.

The thing to remember is that modern tile does not contain asbestos. It hasn’t been in use for decades. The first place to start when determining if you have asbestos tile is to check the maintenance records on your home — if you have them.

The obvious problem here is that you may have no idea when any home updates were made. Say your home was built in the 1920s. You know someone updated that bathroom, but was it in the 50s? The 60s? Was it done in the 90s with an eye for vintage design? You may know what the previous owners did, but you may have no records beyond that.

If you think you do have asbestos tiles, you can either have them removed or you can put the new flooring over the top to avoid removal. What you do not want to do is to start demo without realizing what type of tile you’re dealing with, exposing yourself to that risk.

Those who develop mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos in any form need to know what legal options they have.