Key Points in This Blog
- Vinyl floor tiles are the most common asbestos flooring we find.
- Bitumen adhesive can also contain asbestos.
- Old asbestos flooring is often hidden under newer carpets and lino.
- Breaking tiles while lifting flooring is a common problem.
- Testing starts from £155.
Does my floor contain asbestos?
You are pulling up an old carpet or removing kitchen units. Then you find another floor underneath. Old vinyl tiles. Black adhesive. Paper-backed lino.
The first question is usually:
“Could this contain asbestos?”
This is a common situation in older properties across Yorkshire. We regularly attend homes where modern carpet, vinyl or laminate has been fitted directly over old asbestos floor tiles.
The homeowner often has no idea the older flooring is there until renovation starts. If you are about to lift an old floor, the safest approach is to know what you are dealing with first.
What Types of Flooring Can Contain Asbestos?
HSE guidance lists several types of floor coverings that can contain asbestos, including vinyl tiles, paper-backed floor coverings, bitumen adhesives and some screed materials.
From our own experience, we tend to find them in this order:
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Bitumen adhesive
- Paper-backed lino
- Asbestos cement promenade tiles
- Screed
Vinyl tiles are by far the most common.
Asbestos Vinyl Floor Tiles
Older vinyl and thermoplastic floor tiles were made with asbestos.
They were used widely in:
- Kitchens
- Hallways
- Utility rooms
- Bathrooms
- Offices
- Schools
- Commercial buildings
HSE confirms asbestos was added to PVC and thermoplastic floor tiles, and that old asbestos floor tiles can still be hidden underneath carpets.
That is exactly what we see on site.
Hidden Asbestos Tiles Under Modern Flooring
This is very common.
We find old vinyl asbestos tiles underneath:
- Carpet
- Modern lino
- Laminate
- Newer vinyl flooring
- Kitchen units
The top floor may look completely modern.
That does not mean the layers underneath are modern.
We often get calls from homeowners after they have started pulling up carpet or removing an old kitchen and several tiles have come loose with it.
At that point, work stops and they want the material tested as quickly as possible.
What Do Asbestos Floor Tiles Look Like?
There is no single appearance that confirms asbestos.
Older tiles may be:
- Black
- Brown
- Beige
- Green
- Red
- Patterned
- Plain
Some are commonly around 9 x 9 inches, but size alone does not prove asbestos.
You cannot confirm asbestos by looking at a tile.
Laboratory testing is needed.
Asbestos Bitumen Adhesive Under Floor Tiles
The black adhesive underneath old tiles is often called bitumen or mastic.
This material can also contain asbestos.
In our experience, when vinyl asbestos tiles are positive, the bitumen underneath is also positive more often than not.
But not always.
That means the tile and the adhesive may need separate consideration.
HSE guidance confirms that some mastics used to bond floor coverings contained asbestos and that bitumen products were also manufactured with asbestos.
You can see real examples of asbestos bitumen adhesive from surveys we have carried out across Yorkshire.
Paper-Backed Lino Can Contain Asbestos
Some older sheet flooring and lino products had asbestos-containing paper backing.
This is less common than vinyl floor tiles, but we still find it. A good example came from one of our surveys at a Victorian farmhouse near Huddersfield.
We took 10 samples throughout the property. Seven came back negative. Three were positive, including paper-backed lino flooring in the workshop.
This is a good example of why old sheet flooring should not be judged by appearance alone.The top surface may not contain asbestos. The backing underneath can.
What About Asbestos in Screed?
Asbestos in screed is much less common.
We have only identified it on a handful of occasions.
HSE guidance confirms that some hard-wearing composite floor systems and screed materials were manufactured with asbestos.
When we do find asbestos in screed, it is normally left in place. That is because the screed forms part of the floor level.
If it is in good condition and there are no plans to break it up, leaving it undisturbed can be the sensible option.
The situation changes if you plan to:
- Break up the screed
- Chase services through it
- Remove the floor
- Carry out structural refurbishment
Then it needs to be considered before work starts.
Asbestos Cement Promenade Tiles
Promenade tiles are another flooring material that can contain asbestos.
These are usually found externally on:
- Balconies
- Walkways
- Flat roofs
- Terraces
- Older commercial buildings
They are made from asbestos cement and can look similar to heavy paving tiles or slabs. Again, the main risk comes from disturbing or breaking them.
If you plan to remove or replace them, get them checked first.
The Biggest Problem Is Usually Breaking the Tiles
People often assume sanding or grinding is the main risk. In homes, that is not what we see most often.
The common problem is much simpler.
Someone lifts a carpet. The carpet is stuck to old flooring. Several tiles come up with it.
Or they remove kitchen units and disturb flooring that has been hidden for years. The tiles break.
That is when the homeowner stops and starts worrying. If you know old floor tiles are underneath, it is much better to arrange testing before you start stripping the room.
Can Asbestos Floor Tiles Stay in Place?
Yes.
If asbestos floor tiles are in good condition and will not be disturbed, they can often remain in place.
Asbestos that remains intact and undisturbed presents a very different situation from flooring that is being broken up during refurbishment.
In some cases, a new floor covering can be installed over the existing tiles.
This can be a practical option where:
- The tiles are sound
- They are not lifting
- The floor level works
- No intrusive work is planned
If you know you will replace carpets, kitchens or other floor coverings again in the future, I would often recommend considering removal now.
Otherwise, you may face the same issue again later.
Real Flooring Examples From Our Yorkshire Surveys
We regularly test suspect flooring during both homebuyer and commercial surveys.
At a Victorian farmhouse near Huddersfield, paper-backed lino in the workshop tested positive for asbestos. Floor tiles elsewhere in the property tested negative.
At 14 Far Field in Huddersfield, bathroom floor tiles were sampled during a full homebuyer asbestos survey and came back negative.
We have also sampled floor tiles in large commercial premises in Hull and Huddersfield that looked suspect but returned negative results.
That is why testing matters.
Old flooring may contain asbestos.
It may not.
You need a result, not a guess.
How Much Does Asbestos Flooring Testing Cost?
Our asbestos testing prices currently start from:
- 1 sample: £155
- 2 samples: £185
- 3 samples: £215
A straightforward sampling appointment can be quick.
Results are normally returned within 24–48 hours.
You can find more information on our asbestos sample testing service.
How Much Does Asbestos Floor Tile Removal Cost?
Removal costs depend on:
- Floor area
- Number of layers
- Whether bitumen is also present
- Access
- Condition of the tiles
- Whether the room is occupied
- How easily the tiles lift
As a rough guide, asbestos floor tile removal can range from around:
£250–£1,200
A small bathroom or utility room may sit at the lower end.
A larger kitchen, hallway or commercial area may cost more.
If bitumen adhesive also needs dealing with, that can affect the final price.
Should I Test Flooring Before Renovating?
Yes, if there is a realistic chance the flooring could contain asbestos.
This is especially important if you are:
- Removing old carpet
- Replacing a kitchen
- Lifting vinyl or lino
- Taking up old tiles
- Breaking a screed floor
- Installing underfloor heating
- Carrying out a full refurbishment
If several areas of the property are being disturbed, a refurbishment asbestos survey may be better than testing one floor at a time.
Testing or Survey: Which Do I Need?
| Your situation | Likely service |
|---|---|
| One suspect floor material | Asbestos testing |
| Old tiles exposed under carpet | Asbestos testing |
| One area of bitumen adhesive | Asbestos testing |
| Buying an older property | Homebuyer asbestos survey |
| Refurbishing several rooms | Refurbishment survey |
| Lifting floors throughout a property | Refurbishment survey |
| Commercial building with unknown asbestos | Management survey |
If you are unsure, send us the details of the work.
We can tell you which service is likely to be most suitable.
Asbestos Flooring Checks Across Yorkshire
Complete Asbestos Surveys carries out asbestos testing and surveys throughout:
We regularly inspect homes, rental properties, commercial buildings, schools and industrial premises.
If you have found old flooring and want to know whether it contains asbestos, do not rely on its appearance.
Get it tested.
You can get an instant asbestos quote before lifting or removing the flooring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of flooring are most likely to contain asbestos?
Vinyl floor tiles, sheet flooring, bitumen adhesives, screed layers, and asbestos cement promenade tiles commonly contain asbestos if installed before 2000.
Is asbestos in flooring dangerous?
Asbestos flooring poses little risk if left undisturbed. The danger arises when tiles or adhesives are cut, sanded, or damaged, releasing fibres into the air.
How do I know if my floor tiles contain asbestos?
You can’t tell by sight alone. A qualified asbestos surveyor must take a sample and have it analysed in a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
Can I remove asbestos floor tiles myself?
No. You should never remove or disturb asbestos flooring yourself. Contact professionals like Complete Asbestos Surveys who follow the correct safety procedures.
Do you provide asbestos surveys for flooring?
Yes. We carry out asbestos surveys in Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, and across Yorkshire for commercial, agricultural, and industrial properties.
