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Congoleum Gold Seal linoleum flooring, Life Magazine 14 Feb 1955Identify Resilient Sheet Flooring Products
Flooring that May Contain Asbestos

Asbestos-containing sheet flooring or resilient flooring product identification by identifying the sheet flooring brand or perhaps by comparing the sheet flooring pattern, backing stamps or marks, and appearance of its backing.

This article describes sheet flooring products known to contain significant levels of asbestos.

We describe sources of asbestos in older forms of sheet flooring including felt-backed flooring, rubber-backed flooring, and vinyl cushion-backed resilient flooring products. We include research citations on asbestos use in sheet flooring backer materials.

We also include photographs for identification of known asbestos-containing resilient sheet flooring as well as unknown flooring submitted for identification. The article gives safety and asbestos testing advice for sheet flooring products.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

How to Identify Armstrong, Congoleum, Linoleum & other Brands of Resilient Flooring or Sheet Flooring that May Contain Asbestos (or not)

Armstrong sheet flooring (C) InspectAPedia.comBottom line: asbestos-containing sheet flooring in good condition in a residential environment is not a high risk of causing airborne asbestos hazards as the material is not friable.

The safest as well as least-costly course of action is to leave such flooring in place, and to cover it over with other flooring material.

However if such flooring installed in North America before the early 1980's is in very poor condition or if it must be demolished as part of building renovations, it should be treated as presumed to contain asbestos and handled accordingly.

Flooring adhesives or mastics also may contain asbestos.

[Click to enlarge any image]

The marble chip pattern sheet flooring in the photo just above is discussed

at MARBLE / STONE CHIP PATTERN FLOORING ASBESTOS

Article Series Contents

The sheet flooring shown above and illustrated further just below was identified by a reader in a 1964 home. She found remnants in the bottom of a kitchen cabinet on which was imprinted "Armstrong".

The reader asked "Is it linoleum?" A closer look at the product including its backing would be needed. It could be, but this pattern looks more modern to us and is very probably an Armstrong vinyl sheet flooring product. More information about this marble chip pattern sheet flooring is given just below.

Vinyl Sheet Flooring Known to Contain Asbestos

This resilient sheet flooring contains 15% chrysotile asbestos (C) InspectApedia.com Known-Asbestos-Containing Vinyl Based Sheet Flooring: Product Photos, both branded and un-known sheet flooring brands.

Asbestos test lab results have been obtained by readers or by InspectApedia.com confirming that the sheet flooring shown in this section contains asbestos.

[Click to enlarge any image]

The sheet flooring photograph shown above, provided to us by a reader, was tested for asbestos content. Our reader reports:

The house where this sheet flooring is installed was built in 1966 to 1967. We assume this was the original flooring put down by the previous owner who built the house - we are the second owners of this home.

There was no other flooring under or on top of this, and there is no sign of other layers of flooring below it, so I think it's safe to assume they put it down in 1967. There is no way to know brand since its on bottom, and we haven't removed the floor covering.

We did have the linolium tested and it was positive for 15% chrysotile. Just thought you may want to add this for your catalog. As such we will just leave it undisturbed and cover over with hardwood. - Anon, by private email 10/21/2015

Note: Although many people refer loosely to resilient sheet flooring as "linoleum", the sheet flooring above is a vinyl product and is distinct from true linoleum floors. Linoleum floors do not contain asbestos.

See LINOLEUM & SHEET FLOORING for details about that product.

If the vinyl resilient sheet flooring backing material were dry-sanded or scraped during building demolition, for example, or if the sheet flooring is worn through so that foot traffic continues to damage the backing material, it is possible for unsafe levels of asbestos fibers to be released in a building. -- EPA Guidance

During demolition or removal, this material should be disturbed as little as possible. Additional demolition, renovation, and installation advice for dealing with resilient sheet flooring materials can be obtained from the Resilient Floor Covering Institute, by obtaining their publication on the topic.

Asbestos in Armstrong Sheet Flooring 1930's - 1980's

This resilient sheet flooring contains 15% chrysotile asbestos (C) InspectApedia.com at ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION PHOTOS 1949-1959 we include a reader report of lab testing performed on the sheet flooring shown here and confirming that it contained "70% asbestos".

While the reader referred to this as "Armstrong Congoleum sheet flooring", Armstrong and Congoleum are separate individual companies.

The flooring shown just above is identified as an Armstrong World Industries resilient flooring product.

Armstrong sheet flooring products that contained asbestos included products sold under the Solarian name at least prior to 1980.

It is possible that "new old stock" asbestos-containing Armstrong sheet flooring was sold later into that decade.

Also see Armstrong asphalt-asbestos and vinyl-asbestos floor tiles discussed beginning

at ARMSTRONG FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION.

 

Armstrong Sheet Flooring Identification & Brand Markings

Below are two more identification photographs of the same flooring contributed later by reader R.B. The imprint on the back of this flooring confirmed the flooring brand: Armstrong.

Armstrong sheet flooring identification photo (C) InspectApedia R.B.

At MARBLE / STONE CHIP PATTERN FLOORING ASBESTOS we discuss its asbestos content.

Below we see the Armstrong® imprint on the reverse side of this sheet flooring.

Armstrong sheet flooring identification photo (C) InspectApedia R.B.

Don't mix up product names. Armstrong is a separate company from Congoleum-Nairn.

Both companies produce several types and many patterns of sheet flooring.

As we discuss

at CONGOLEUM FLOORING HISTORY, Linoleum flooring advertised in 1955, the Congoleum Gold Seal series, was sold in both sheet and tile forms.

Sorting out types of flooring, sheet vs. tile, and brand names: is it "Linoleum"?

Armstrong tile flooring in the company's wide range of floor tiles (12x12" 9x9" or smaller rectangular glue-down floor tiles) is discussed & identified in detail

at ARMSTRONG FLOOR TILES - 1950's.

Armstrong's sheet flooring is described

at ARMSTRONG SHEET FLOORING (this article)

Armstrong and Congoleum, Linoleum sheet flooring are different products: these are different companies, although the word "linoleum" was widely used generically and some people will apply it (incorrectly) to vinyl sheet flooring or other products.

Older Armstrong-Brand "Rug Pattern" Red-Backed Sheet Flooring Photographs: more Linoleum Rugs

Rug-pattern green and white red-backed Armstrong sheet flooring from a 1900's home (C) InspectApedia.com JB

[Click to enlarge any image]

Reader question:

Attached are photos of some tile removed from my basement. I believe the backing says it is Armstrong brand tile.

I can't find anything in your database about whether this contains asbestos but I have a small child in the house ...

I wanted to check. Any information would be greatly appreciated. - Anonymous by private email 2016/06/21 Jake Barrett jakebarrett78@yahoo.com

Rug-pattern green and white red-backed Armstrong sheet flooring from a 1900's home (C) InspectApedia.com JB

[Click to enlarge any image] and you can just make out the Armstrong A in a circle that we point to with the black A and arrow in the photo above.

Reply:

This flooring may be a rubber-backed product and may contain asbestos. Our research, cited below, confirms that some Armstrong flooring products included an asbestos-containing rubber-backing material. (Whitman 1975 et als). I have also seen older asphalt-backed sheet flooring products in similar designs.

Lab test results for asbestos in the Armstrong red-backed (probably rubber) flooring shown above are pending (June 2016). This floor covering was found in a U.S. home dated ca 1900.

If you avoid making a dusty mess such as by vacuuming with a non-HEPA-rated vac, chopping, grinding, sanding, chances are you're not stirring up measurable dust, asbestos or not.

If you search InspectApedia.com for ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION you'll see more suggestions for minimizing risk.

We speculate that this Armstrong rug-pattern red-backed sheet flooring dates from the 1940's. Below: a view of the red-colored back of this floor covering. This may be a rubber-backed sheet flooring product similar to some red-backed Congoleum flooring of the same era.

Research on Asbestos in Armstrong Rubber-containing Flooring Products or Rubber-Backed Flooring

Armstrong World Industries, earlier Armstrong Cork Co., has a long history in the production of an enormous range of types and designs of floor coverings. Armstrong's flooring literature including for its current commercial flooring products and floor cleaning products includes "rubber tile" and stair treads, rubber wall base, as well as "linoleum" in product descriptions. Armstrong points out in the company's current floor maintenance instructions:

It is important to know the type of floor before cleaning. Rubber or linoleum could be confused with vinyl or luxury vinyl tile (LVT) could be confused with wood or laminate. - Armstrong World Industries, "Maintenance Recommendations and Procedures, Commercial Resilient / Hardwood / Laminate", [PDF], Armstrong Corporation, retrieved 2016/06/21, original source: https://www.armstrongflooring.com/assets/commflooringna/literature/downloads/F8663.pdf

Examples of Armstrong Linoleum Flooring & Linowall Wall Covering

Below: two pages advertising Armstrong "Linoleum" sheet flooring from 1961.

Armstrong linoleum advertisement from 1961 at InspectApedia.com Armstrong linoleum advertisement from 1961 at InspectApedia.com

True Linoleum sheet flooring is discussed in detail

at LINOLEUM & SHEET FLOORING

Also see FLOORING MATERIALS, Age, Types. (separate article)

Amstrong's Embossed Inlaid "Linoleum" sheet flooring pattern 5610 (C) InspectApedia.com

Above" Armstrong embossed inlaid "linoleum" #5610 from the catalog below. Other popular patterns included brick, solid colors, and Marbelle that we illustrate below.

Armstrong Linoleum Patterns at InspectApedia.com

Armstrong Linoleum Patterns at InspectApedia.com

Above and below: examples of Armstrong's "Linoleum" sheet flooring products.

Armstrong Linoleum Patterns at InspectApedia.com

Above and below: Embossed Inlaid Armstrong "Linoleum" flooring patterns.

Armstrong Linoleum Patterns at InspectApedia.com

Below: Armstrong's straight line inlaid "linoleum patterns"

Armstrong Linoleum Patterns at InspectApedia.com

and more straight inline inlaid linoleum.

Armstrong Linoleum Patterns at InspectApedia.com

Armstrong Linoleum & Linowall Catalog

Adding to the confusion about use of the term "linoleum" is this Armstrong Cork Co. Catalog:

Armstrong Sheet Flooring Post 1968

Armstrong sheet flooring Excelon Swirl Pattern (C) Inspectapedia.com RH Armstrong Excelon swirl pattern VAT (C) InspectApedia.com

Above: Armstrong sheet flooring that matches the Armstrong Excelon Swirl Chip vinyl asbestos floor tile pattern released in 1968 and shown as a small tile image above.

[Click to enlarge any image]

We think that the sheet flooring in these photos is probably of similar age.

See MARBLE / STONE CHIP PATTERN FLOORING ASBESTOS

It would be prudent to treat this white-backed sheet flooring as presumed to contain asbestos. If any readers have tested this flooring for asbestos we would be grateful to receive the test results - use the page top or bottom CONTACT link.

Armstrong sheet flooring Excelon Swirl Pattern (C) Inspectapedia.com RH

Click to enlarge the photo of the underside of this Armstrong flooring to see the company's imprint there.

Many tile patterns were also sold as a sheet flooring pattern, often in later years.

Other brands and patterns of sheet flooring begin

at RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE - (sheet flooring) organized by year and manufacturer.

1970 Green Marble Sheet Flooring Asbestos

The green "swirl"pattern sheet flooring from a U.S. home built in 1970 and shown below was reported by our reader as containing Chrysotile asbestos.

Greern swirl sheet flooring contains Chrysotile asbestos (C) InspectApedia.com D R Sheet flooring asbestos test report (C) InspectApedia.com DR

We don't know the brand of the flooring shown above, but other sheet flooring in the same home and from the same era was an Armstrong floor product.

Armstrong Bradford Brick / Congoleum Red Brick or White Brick Pattern Vinyl Sheet Flooring Asbestos Content

Red brick pattern sheet flooring (C) InspectAPedia.com

OK so we ran out of space and had to move the details of this topic.

Please

see ARMSTRONG FLOORING ASBESTOS - confirmation that many older Armstrong floor tiles & sheet flooring contained asbestos.

and

see SHEET & TILE FLOORING ASBESTOS ID-BRICK PATTERN ID (separate article)

Watch out: red brick sheet flooring including varied-square-sized flooring like the Armstrong pattern shown here has been found to contain asbestos.

If the flooring has what looks like burlap - a jute backing - on its reverse it's probably very old and not an asbestos-containing product.

If it has a smooth, non-fabric backing it may contain asbestos and should be treated as PACM - presumed asbestos containing material.

From your photo (above left) this looks like a very-widely used sheet flooring with an impregnated asphalt felt backer - let me know.

Some such felt backers included asbestos. As we report below, a reader obtained an asbestos test lab report on a sample of flooring that looks like that above: the lab did not report finding asbestos in that sample.

Don't panic, just don't create a dusty mess by using power tools, saws, grinders;

Watch out: that the mastic used to adhere old sheet flooring may also contain asbestos. After trying various solvents on a black mastic years ago I discovered that it was water soluble and came up easily once I let it sit wet for a few hours. Try that.

Red brick pattern flooring without asbestos (C) InspectApedia PC

J.W. Indeed I've found other similar flooring patterns to those in your photo that by date, records, tests, were confirmed as having asbestos in the vinyl backing; it would be prudent to treat the material as presumed-asbestos-containing material.

Brick floor tile pattern containing asbesto (C) InspectApedia.com

Don't panic; non-friable materials like this can usually be handled with a minimum of dust and debris - provided the floor was not glued down.

The flooring shown at above left, installed in the 1980's did not contain asbestos.

Details about brick pattern sheet flooring are at SHEET & TILE FLOORING ASBESTOS ID-BRICK PATTERN ID

The flooring shown at above right in a white brick pattern (these are tiles not sheet flooring) contained asbestos.

If you are facing a large cost or have other reasons to be concerned about asbestos contamination in the building it would not be costly to have a small sample of the floor tested.

Armstrong Craftlon & Solarian Sheet Flooring Asbestos Content

Without a close look it can be difficult to distinguish between sheet flooring and floor tiles that used essentially the same flooring pattern.

Shown here is Armstrong's Solarian Devonport White floor tiles that were also matched by some sheet flooring products.

Vinyl asbestos floor tile identification photo U.S. Library of Congress

Similarly, this White Romford Brick sheet flooring pattern (below, Armstrong but not a Solarian product) was sold also as vinyl-asbestos floor tile.

Armstrong white brick floor tile herringbone pattern (C) InspectApedia

See ARMSTRONG FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION 1974-1979 for more examples of this flooring type.

Does Armstrong Sheet Flooring or Armstrong Solarium Contain Asbestos?

Yes, depending on the specific product and age or time of manufacture, as we discuss below.

Asbestos Test Results: Armstrong Solarian 65% Chrysotile Asbestos Content

ARMSTRONG FLOORING ASBESTOS


Congoleum Sheet Flooring Identification & Brand Markings

Details about identifying Congoleum and its properties are in this separate article:

CONGOLEUM-NAIRN FLOOR TILES & LINOLEUM; excerpts and photos of Congoleum "linoleum" rugs are below.

At below left is Congoleum Gold Seal Jackstraw pattern, and below right, Congoleum "Square Dance" sheet linoleum sold in a 9" x 9" tile pattern. Congoleum also marketed linoleum sheet flooring in color flecks or scatter such as their SEQUIN PATTERN [photo of flooring].

Congoleum Gold Seal linoleum flooring, Life Magazine 14 Feb 1955

Congoleum Gold Seal linoleum flooring, Life Magazine 14 Feb 1955

The reader-contributed photographs below illustrate Congoleum's Gold Seal™ linoleum in a braided rug design or pattern. [Click to enlarge any image].

Congoleum Gold Seal Linoleum (C) InspectApedia.com

At LINOLEUM & SHEET FLOORING where these photos also appear (though this is not true, classic jute-backed "Linoleum"), we list the ingredients found in linoleum floor coverings.

Congoleum Gold Seal Linoleum (C) InspectApedia.com

Identify the Type of Sheet Flooring: Linoleum, Vinyl, Other

This discussion has moved to IDENTIFY SHEET FLOORING TYPE, HOW TO

See LINOLEUM & SHEET FLOORING for a description of linoleum products that do not contain asbestos.

See SHEET FLOORING NON-ASBESTOS EXAMPLES - separate article

For identification guides to all brands of asphalt asbestos, vinyl asbestos, and similar flooring products

see FLOOR TILE / SHEET FLOORING PHOTO GUIDES - list of photo guides

To identify unknown floor tile products:

at ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE PHOTO ID REQUESTS we include additional photographs of both tile and sheet flooring products submitted by readers with requests for more information.

Examples & Submissions of Pre-1988 Installations of Sheet Flooring & Resilient Flooring that Might Contain Asbestos

We moved this material to SHEET FLOORING POSSIBLE ASBESTOS - 1920-1988

Finland Sheet Flooring Products that May Contain Asbestos

The discussion of Finland or Finnish flooring that may contain asbestos has moved

to FINLAND VINYL SHEET FLOORING POSSIBLE ASBESTOS - separate article.

Swedish Flooring Products that May Contain Asbestos

This discussion has moved to SWEDISH TARKETT FLOORING POSSIBLE ASBESTOS - separate article

Older sheet flooring that Does Not or is Unlikely to Contain Asbestos

Linoleum sheet flooring ca 1935 (C) InspectApedia E.P.

This discussion has moved to SHEET FLOORING NON-ASBESTOS EXAMPLES - separate article

Shown above: traditional linoleum flooring.

 

Reader Questions - also see the FAQs link posted just below

On 2024-01-19 by InspectApedia Publisher - does 1922 Minnesota home's flooring contain asbestos

@Maddie,

Likely, yes, we've seen lots of flooring like this in older Minnesota homes.

That looks like 1950s or 1960s flooring that could indeed contain asbestos.

For a better guess see

https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php

DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS

And yes, safest and least costly is to leave it in place and cover it with new flooring.

[Ed. note: this question was originally posted on our home page and moved to this relevant topic page.]

On 2024-01-19 by Maddie

Hi there,
Could you tell me if the floor of my back entryway and basement stairs likely contains asbestos? The house was built in 1922 so I’m guessing it does. The floor looks like old linoleum to me rather than tile.

This flooring was also placed on our pantry shelves as liner, but whoever did it placed it badly so that seams are showing and it’s coming up at the edges in some spots. However, nowhere does it seem crumbly.

If it likely contains asbestos, would I be able to put a new floor over this, even with the peeling, or do I need to hire a professional for removal?
Thanks.

gray and gold flecked sheet flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Maddie

Here is another close-up of our pantry shelf (with the visible seam in the back). In the previous photo you can see the shiny gold flecks. I also forgot to say this house is in Minneapolis, MN.

gray and gold flecked sheet flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Maddie

On 2024-01-08 by InspectApedia DF (mod) - floor removal safety methods

@Possible asbestos flooring ?,

It’s VERY possible the backer, the adhesive, and/or the flooring itself could be asbestos containing material. First step is for you to answer the simple questions found at

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos
inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php

And as it’s evident that you are removing this flooring and probably creating a dusty mess, it is good that you are taking precautions. Read more about safety when handling

ASBESTOS FLOOR REMOVAL
inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos-Floor-Removal.php

this will include, in addition to dust control and personal protection equipment as you already cited, damp wiping and HEPA vacuuming to clean up leftover dust and debris.

On 2024-01-08 by Possible asbestos flooring ?

We renovated our kitchen and later learned of the potential hazards. We however plastic everything off and wear p100 masks. But my question whether it’s likely the backer and the Vynal contained asbestos or not?

broken up flooring mess (C) InspectApedia.com ... broken up flooring mess (C) InspectApedia.com

On 2023-12-08 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - popular floral rug pattern

@Sophia,

LINOLEUM & OTHER SHEET FLOORING

https://inspectapedia.com/interiors/Linoleum_Flooring.php

has examples of that popular floral pattern.

On 2023-12-08 by Sophia

Hello, I have this sheet flooring under my carpets, I found pennies under it dating back to 1941. The middle is black and the backing is a red, maybe rubber material? There is no brand name on the back.

Have yall seen this pattern before, or know of the companies that didn't put their brand on the back of their sheet flooring so I can go through the archives? Thanks so much!

1941 floral rug (C) InspectApedia.com Sophia

On 2023-11-02 by InspectApedia Publisher - green and gold brick pattern in 1948 home

@Reilly Z,

Given its age, it would be best to treat the flooring as presumed asbestos containing material. The pattern is very similar other brick patterns, some of which contained asbestos.

In the Recommended Articles list on this page, start by reviewing the simple questions found in the article

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos

If in good condition, as yours seems to be, the safest and simplest thing to do is to cover it with new flooring or use a sealant over it. Read more about those options at

ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION - also in the same article list

On 2023-10-31 by Reilly Z

Hello,

This is the kitchen floor in the house I am buying. The house was built in 1948. Does anyone recognize this vinyl sheet floor pattern in regards to containing asbestos?

Thanks.

green and gold brick pattern flooring in 1948 house (C) InspectApedia.com Reilly

On 2023-09-21 by InspectApedia Publisher

@Tracey ann,

Asbestos is likely in a floor like that from the 1960s. It would be much better, if the floor tiles are well adhered, to simply leave them in place and install a new flooring over top. That's what experts recommend, it's the safest, and it's the least costly approach.

On 2023-09-21 by Tracey ann

This was found under a 1960s house want to take it up would it have asbestos in it

yellow, black, red solid color tiles 1960s house (C) InspectApedia.com Tracey

On 2023-09-05 by InspectApedia DF (mod) - Congoleum showcase 7101 pattern

@Johnna,

Thank you for posting on our Congoleum page that you'd found the name of this pattern - Congoleum showcase 7101 - as that will help other readers as well.

Do keep in mind that the backing and mastic could also contain asbestos whether the actual flooring does or not.

To other readers:
Johnna's other post, photo, and flooring results information can be found at

CONGOLEUM NAIRN SHEET FLOORING & FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION
https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Congoleum_Vinyl_Asbestos_Floors.php

On 2023-09-05 by InspectApedia DF (mod)

@Johnna,

Yes, we would like to see your photos of the original flooring as well as the paper backing you mentioned.

The Comment Box software we use only allows one photo per comment but you can post as many comments as you wish and therefore photos.

On 2023-09-05 by Johnna

Hi, my husband took up this vinyl flooring in our 1962 home when we bought it 3 years ago. The wood under was damaged from toilet water so it all came up. Has anyone identified this pattern as acm or not? It’s like snow flakes. Pure curiosity now.

As I’m going to put molding back where the vinyl went up the wall a bit. We have new plywood and stick on tiles now. I’ll add a pic of original vinyl. Idk how to add 2 images, I also have one of the remaining paper backing left on edges.

Congoleum showcase 7101 flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Johnna

On 2023-07-21 by InspectApedia DF (mod) - 1920 original adobe in NM renovation

@mel patrick,

Given the age, the flooring, backing, and the mastic could contain asbestos. Treat it as presumed to contain asbestos material.

See the Recommended Articles list just above on this page and take a look at some easy questions at

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS?

which can help you make a reasonable guess.

See also

ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION

ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE

as well as other articles in this series about presumed asbestos containing material.

On 2023-07-21 by mel patrick

Restoring 1920 original adobe in NM. Under layers of earth, finding old linoleum floors. Would love to know dates for these and possible asbestos risk?

Great info here and much appreciated!!

original flooring in 1920s adobe in New Mexico (C) InspectApedia.com Mel

On 2023-06-06 by InspectApedia DF (mod) - all brands in all countries where asbestos-containing flooring might be found

@Lisa,

In fact, we discuss all brands in all countries where asbestos-containing flooring might be found, not just Armstrong, listed here

INDEX TO ASBESTOS FLOORING IDENTIFICATION GUIDES
inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos-Floor-Tile-Identification-Index.php

Since the use of asbestos in flooring was discontinued in 1986, your last tiles from 2011 would not be a concern. We don’t have enough information to know about the earlier layers.

Having said that, if the current flooring is in good condition, the safest and simplest thing to do is to cover the tile with new flooring or even seal it.

In the Recommended Articles list just above on this page, see the live links to these articles

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos

and

ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION

On 2023-06-05 by Lisa

Lisa here with prior post, one of the tiles in my apt is the "Carrara" collection from home Depot,

On 2023-06-05 by Lisa

Only Armstrong products are discussed for asbestos. My apt has 3 layers of peel and stick tiles in kitchen prior to 1974 to present 2023 from home Depot and the same in part of my living room.

Last tiles are from 2011 installed on top of the existing ones. After, I find that the tiles never wash clean, always a dark color on my sick, fert and mop. I had reported this to home Depot, they denied anything wrong with tiles.

What do you think about this since I'm ready looking to replace tiles aover these.

On 2023-02-23 by InspectApedia Editor

Please see your question and photos now moved to the Reader Q&A section in our article on Congoleum flooring

at CONGOLEUM NAIRN SHEET FLOORING & FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION

On 2023-02-23 by Cassie

Hi! I recently purchased a century home (build around late 1800s-early 1900s) and ripped up some really old gross carpet in the bedrooms. Underneath, I found some old linoleum rugs and/or vinyl sheet flooring. They’re not glued down, but some are nailed down.

On 2023-02-01 by InspectApedia Publisher

@Mark,

I would certainly treat that floor as presumed to contain asbestos. In this article series you'll find some patterns that look similar. But looking at the floor pattern itself is never enough. Some popular floor patterns were made both containing asbestos and later without asbestos.

Could be an Asbestos containing flooring - but with no context any guessing is rather speculative.

Improve that estimate by seeing

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos -

live link is above

On 2023-01-31 by Mark

Does the gold and brown stuff look familiar?

Home eas built in 78 and is original. Its very brittle and seems to be sheet.

1978 gold brown flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Mark ... 1978 gold brown flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Mark

On 2023-01-20 by InspectApedia Editor - green pattern flooring

@Adam,

Given the year of 1969, it would be best to treat the flooring as presumed asbestos containing material (PACM).

In the list of Recommended Articles above, see our articles

ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION - leaving in place is simplest and safest

and

ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE - if you must remove the flooring

And for more help in finding an answer, see

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos

On 2023-01-20 by Adam

Hello my house was built in 1969 and I have removed a semi recent plank flooring to reveal some old "lino" I was wondering if you could provide any insight into possible asbestos.

Green pattern flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Adam

On 2023-01-15 by InspectApedia Publisher - brown medallion pattern flooring

@Kayla,

That could be 1970s flooring and so might contain asbestos.

On 2023-01-15 by Kayla

Asbestos sheet flooring?

House was built in 1885 - kitchen reno was done in 1975 (found a note in paper ceiling). Possible that flooring is from before then. It’s on top of chip board which is on top of original tongue and groove.

Brown medallion flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Kayla

On 2022-09-09 by InspectApedia (mod)

@Matt,

We would need more information about your flooring to be able to give a more definite answer.

In the Recommended Articles list above on this page, see

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos -

as that may be helpful.

There we discuss some of the added information that will be helpful for you to determine asbestos or not.

On 2022-09-09 by Matt

Hi Are this tiles asbestos or not? Thank you for answer Matt

On 2022-09-09 by InspectApedia (mod)

@Meagan,

Thanks for the added information. Our advice remains the same as shown above in our first response.

Let us know if you have additional questions.

On 2022-09-09 by Meagan

@InspectApedia-911, thank you. House was built in 1958 and some of it was remodeled around 70s. This is in the kitchen

On 2022-08-31 by InspectApedia (mod)

@Meagan,

Without knowing any information about the age or location of your floor, it would be smart to treat it as presumed to contain asbestos. It is a similar pattern to many that have been sold by various manufacturers. Safe and simple to leave in place and seal, or cover with new flooring.

You'll see that quite a few manufacturers across quite a few countries made stone-pattern sheet flooring, from about the 1970s onwards. Sometimes you can find an identifying stamp or manufacturer's name or pattern ID on the back surface of the flooring.

See the Recommended Articles list above for articles on 5 easy questions to answer the asbestos question, or ways to reduce any hazard of asbestos flooring, and more.

Let us know if you have additional questions.

On 2022-08-31 by Meagan

Looking for a brand identification and whether or not contains asbestos?

Stone pattern flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Meagan

On 2022-08-22 by InspectApedia (mod)

@Michael Harris,

It would be helpful if you're able to provide more contextual information about it: country, state, age of building, size of tiles, any markings present?

You can make a reasonable *guess* at whether or not the floor contains asbestos by answering the few easy questions found at:

DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy steps that can help you make a reasonable guess at whether or not the floor you ask about contains asbestos.

https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php

That does not look like floor tiles, more like

LINOLEUM & OTHER SHEET FLOORING

do take a look at that page and let me know if you agree. There you'll find manufacturers, age keys, etc.

On 2022-08-22 by Michael Harris

Can someone help identify the age and possibly the manufacturer of these tiles.

Floral linoleum flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Michael H

On 2022-07-21 by InspectApedia-911 (mod)

@Jen,

It's reasonably likely that you've been living with a floor that contains asbestos for some time.

That certainly not a reason to panic. If the floor hasn't been damaged such as by chopping grinding sawing to make dust, it's not likely that it was creating a detectable asbestos hazard.

The flooring in your photo looks like something from the 1970s or perhaps a bit later.

Very often the asbestos content is principally in the backer of the flooring.

You should read this article series on steps to minimize the asbestos hazard.

On 2022-07-21 by Jen

I've been living in this house since 1986. The floors have not been changed. The house was built back in the early 50s and I'm not sure if this flooring is original to the house. The floor is one sheet (not tiles) and has lifted in some corners, though I've never lifted it to see what's underneath. How likely is it that I've been living with asbestos for over 30 years?

1970s asbestos sheet flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Jen

On 2022-06-03 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - Armstrong vinyl sheet flooring

@Cammy,

Looks like a common Armstrong vinyl- or vinyl-asbestos sheet flooring from the 1970s or a bit later.

In the Recommended Articles see

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos -

as that may be helpful.

On 2022-06-03 by Cammy

Can anyone identify this flooring?

1970s Armstrong vinyl flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Cammy

On 2022-05-25 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - 1970s gray paper backed flooring may contain asbestos

@Sam,

That floor looks rather new, to me.

Indeed, however, gray paper-like backing on U.S. sheet flooring up to the mid 1980s could contain asbestos.

If it's undamaged just leave it in place and cover it over.

On 2022-05-25 by Sam

No identifiers of what brand. Sheet vinyl, It has a gray paperbacking and a very thin white mortar underneath and was laid overtop 1/4" ply. Does it contain asbestos? It was installed on top of 70s 6x6 vinyl tiles which I'm sure are asbestos.

Gray paper backed flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Sam

On 2022-04-29 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - 1990s flooring won't contain asbestos

@Kristen,

If you think that flooring was installed in the 1990s and it's in the US then it won't contain asbestos.

See more help in making an informed guess around

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS?

https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php

On 2022-04-29 by Kristen

Hi there damaged floor in 126 year old house. Tile above is newer 12x12 but the vinyl sheet at the bottom is concerning. Already torn up as you can see. Thin white pebbly pattern. What is the likelihood this is asbestos? Reno here in the 90s I believe then last owners did a lot of DYI.

1990s sheet flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Kristen

On 2022-03-31 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Laurasmithpetersen,

The flooring, backing and adhesive may contain asbestos. Flooring or at least it's saturated felt back or may contain asbestos if it was manufactured before the mid-1980s in the US.

It would be prudent to treat the floor is presumed to contain asbestos. You'll want to see

DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy steps that can help you make a reasonable guess at whether or not the floor you ask about contains asbestos.

And if you can't find any other information, treat the floor as PACM (Presumed Asbestos Containing Material) or have a sample tested if you have to chop, grind, or saw it - operations that might make dust.

The safest and least costly approach is to leave the flooring alone, in place, and to cover it with new material.

If the floor is in poor condition or must be removed, then see the asbestos floor removal and asbestos hazard reduction articles found in the ARTICLE INDEX at the end of any of these pages.

On 2022-03-31 by Laurasmithpetersen

Hi! Our house was built in 1941. The kitchen flooring appears to be sheets, not tiles, and has a metallic flake pattern. The backing looks like tar paper with black adhesive. Do you think it's linoleum? Should we test for asbestos? Thanks!

...

On 2022-03-12 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@BK,

Thank you for this photo and the asbestos testing results. This will help other readers and is appreciated.

On 2022-03-12 by BK

Photo of a sheet flooring in our 1978 home that tested 20% asbestos. Didn’t see a pattern like this on the site. Hope it will help someone else.

On 2022-03-03 by Anonymous

@Inspectapedia Com Moderator, right. Guess no hardwood for now. I’ll just cover it up!

On 2022-03-02 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@David,

Looks like an Armstrong sheet flooring product from the 1970s or 1980s.

On 2022-03-02 by David

Can't seem to Id this, almost looks the same as the 1970 Green Marble Sheet. This seems to have some gold flakes maybe and Armstrong is written on the back. It almost seems to be directly on top of the hardwood, with virtually no adhesive.

...

On 2022-02-08 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Doug,

That flooring looks like something from the 1970s or later. You'll want to see

DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy steps that can help you make a reasonable guess at whether or not the floor you ask about contains asbestos.

inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php

And if you can't find any other information, treat the floor as PACM (Presumed Asbestos Containing Material) or have a sample tested if you have to chop, grind, or saw it - operations that might make dust.

On 2022-02-08 by Doug

I ran an asbestos test on the sub flooring for this (was negative) but just noticed the glue for my stair treads is different.

Last renovation on the building was in 2004, and 92 before that, so hoping it's just the cheapest stuff they could find from a post-asbestos period, and not from before then.

Any clue if this is suspect?


 

 


...

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