![\"asbestos](\"http:\/\/www.assuranceenvironmental.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Is-Asbestos-Hiding-in-Your-Vinyl-Flooring.jpg\")
Vinyl floor tile and sheet flooring were favored choices for homebuilders and owners beginning with the\u00a01950s\u00a0housing boom. They remained popular until the\u00a01980s, when health concerns over asbestos emerged.<\/p>\nVinyl floor tile and sheet flooring were favored choices for homebuilders and owners beginning with the\u00a01950s\u00a0housing boom. They remained popular until the\u00a01980s, when health concerns over asbestos emerged.<\/p>\n
Vinyl sheet flooring is considered the most dangerous product due to its friable asbestos<\/a> backing, with\u00a0fibres\u00a0being easily released into the air if the flooring is disturbed or damaged.<\/p>\n Durable, easy to install and relatively inexpensive, vinyl flooring was frequently designed to appear like wood, stone or carpeting. If your vinyl flooring was made and installed prior to 1986, it\u2019s likely to contain asbestos, either in the tiles, the adhesives or the backing material.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking to remove old vinyl flooring, you\u2019ll need to do asbestos testing to determine if your flooring does, indeed, contain this harmful substance.<\/p>\n When flooring materials containing asbestos are removed, microscopic dust is released that creates a breathing hazard. Although asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral\u00a0fibre, breathing these\u00a0fibres\u00a0in can lead to lung cancer,\u00a0mesothelioma, or to a chronic inflammation of the lungs known as asbestosis.<\/p>\n Current regulations set forth owner, builder and contractor responsibilities and requirements for the identification and management of asbestos containing materials. For safety reasons, a good rule of thumb is to assume flooring contains asbestos if it was manufactured prior to 1985.<\/p>\n Even flooring installed after that time could be hazardous, as manufacturers were allowed to exhaust their remaining stocks.<\/p>\n While there are\u00a0ways to visually determine<\/a>\u00a0if your flooring likely contains asbestos (tile size for example), a lab test is the only way to establish whether the flooring, backing or adhesive contains asbestos.<\/p>\n The most common practice for obtaining asbestos testing samples is through bulk sampling, with a minimum of three samples being used. It is always best to have a qualified professional obtain the samples, as the same risks exist during the sampling process as they do during construction or renovation work.<\/p>\n As a safety precaution, asbestos testing should always be conducted prior to beginning any renovation work on your older home.<\/p>\n Keep in mind that as long as your vinyl flooring is in good condition, with no probability of\u00a0fibres\u00a0becoming airborne, asbestos itself can safely remain in your home.<\/i><\/p>\n In fact,\u00a0experts in the field<\/a>\u00a0of asbestos related illnesses recommend not disturbing the flooring at all if possible, and advise that it should instead be covered by other flooring materials. If your flooring is damaged or it requires removal, be sure to have this hazardous process performed by\u00a0asbestos removal experts<\/a>.<\/p>\n At Assurance Environmental Inspection Services<\/a>, we have helped countless homeowners accurately identify whether they have asbestos.<\/p>\n Our certified asbestos specialists will use state-of-the-art technology to properly detect and identify presumed asbestos containing material in your home, so you can confidently renovate and\/or resell your home. \u00a0Request a quote<\/a>, and gain peace of mind (and a healthier home).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Vinyl floor tile and sheet flooring were favored choices for homebuilders and owners beginning with the\u00a01950s\u00a0housing boom. They remained popular until the\u00a01980s, when health concerns over asbestos emerged. Vinyl sheet flooring is considered the most dangerous product due to its … Read More The Dangers of Asbestos <\/b><\/h2>\n
Testing\u00a0for Asbestos<\/b><\/h2>\n
Do Not\u00a0Attempt\u00a0Asbestos Removal by Yourself!<\/b><\/h2>\n
We Can Help You\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n