Asbestos Under Flooring: Signs Illinois Homeowners Should Know

If you live in Illinois, chances are, you may be living in an older home. According to the United States Census Bureau, the median year Illinois structures were built is 1971 — and 20 percent of homes were built before 1930! Given the high volume of older homes, it is a higher probability that there could be asbestos under your flooring. 

Asbestos was a popular building material used in homes built before the early 1980s because it was a great product — except for the part where it could kill you. Builders began phasing it out after it was discovered that it caused serious lung disease and cancer in those who were exposed to it. In many locations around the world, its use is completely prohibited because of the major health risks associated with the material. In addition to lung disease, asbestos is known to cause deadly lung cancers, like mesothelioma. It is an insidious material because the onset of disease can be several years after exposure.

Because of this, it’s important to have an asbestos inspection if you live in an older home prior to any major renovation projects or even just replacing flooring, as asbestos floor tiles and asbestos vinyl coverings were extremely popular, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.

Where Asbestos Can Be Hidden Under Flooring

In many renovations, contractors would install new flooring on top of old flooring, similar to how, when you get your roof redone, the roofers install new shingles on top of old shingles until it becomes too thick. It’s easy to apply a new layer of vinyl on top of old because it doesn’t change the height of the floor by much, and it still adheres well. Because of this common practice, there could be asbestos under your flooring. 

Additionally, even if you don’t have asbestos floor tiles, asbestos could be in the backing, black mastic adhesive, or other underlayment in your home or apartment. Anywhere vinyl flooring would be likely to be installed, such as bathrooms, laundry areas, kitchens, and basements, could potentially have asbestos under the flooring. This is why it’s important to have an asbestos inspection if your home is older to keep your family and your contractors safe from exposure.

Common Signs Your Flooring May Contain Asbestos

If you live in an older home and the original flooring is still in place, there is a good chance it contains asbestos just because of how prolific asbestos was used. It was a great insulator, durable, and cheap, making it a prime choice for builders. Additionally, many renovations took place before asbestos was discovered to be a cancer-causing agent, so even if your home was renovated, it could still have asbestos floor tiles or have asbestos under the flooring.

Unfortunately, asbestos can look like your safe vinyl flooring unless it has already started to deteriorate and has a brittle appearance, which can indicate it could be asbestos. You can even find asbestos under flooring, as the black mastic adhesive used in older homes is fairly recognizable, but it’s impossible to tell if it’s safe or not. Newer construction may use black mastic without asbestos, so it really only applies to older home construction.

Similarly, some of the other types of flooring that contain asbestos or asbestos under flooring (adhesives, older layers of flooring) are found in 9×9 floor tiles, as it was the most common size of the era, vinyl tiles, linoleum tiles, and in vinyl sheeting, as well as the adhesives.

Why You Shouldn’t Disturb Suspected Asbestos

What is tricky about asbestos is that when it is encapsulated or undisturbed, it isn’t harmful. However, if it becomes disturbed or deteriorates, it creates microscopic airborne fibers that can be inhaled, damaging lungs. 

DIY removal is dangerous because many people don’t realize that it’s not just the dust and fibers you can see that are dangerous—it’s what you can’t see that can kill you later. Asbestos is tied to different types of lung disease and deadly lung cancers. Because of this danger, extra precautions are needed when removing asbestos floor tiles or asbestos under flooring.

What Illinois Homeowners Should Do Next

If you suspect that you may have asbestos in your home, the first thing you should do is stop any work and schedule an asbestos inspection, especially if you’re considering flooring renovation or have begun and discovered older flooring material. If the material you’ve discovered is already deteriorating, breaking apart, or brittle, it is best to vacate the area and not return until you can confirm you and your contractors won’t be exposed to asbestos. 

Under no circumstances should you disturb or guess whether you have asbestos floor tiles because only lab testing can truly determine if asbestos is present. Asbestos unfortunately can look very similar to other, safe materials used today. Disturbing asbestos could mean you’re putting your life at risk! There are options for dealing with asbestos, whether it’s removal or encapsulation, but both are best handled by licensed professionals.

Find Out if You Have Asbestos Under Your Flooring

If you live in an older home built before 1980 and are concerned you might have asbestos in your home, it’s best to contact the professionals to confirm whether asbestos is present. They will examine your home and carefully take samples to be tested in a lab. Even securing a sample is a dangerous practice because it involves disturbing the material. 

Asbestos is not something you want to risk exposing yourself or others to. Be proactive before remodeling and have peace of mind by confirming what materials you have in your home. Choose a professional asbestos abatement contractor who is licensed, trained, and takes proper precautions when conducting testing. 

You never know when you have asbestos under your flooring, and it’s better to play it safe than to be sorry years down the road. Contact professionals like Asbestos Project Management for a free asbestos removal estimate before you begin your project!

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: Can asbestos be hidden beneath newer flooring?

A: Yes. New flooring may have been installed over older vinyl tiles, sheet flooring, backing or adhesive. The materials beneath the visible surface should not be disturbed until their composition is known. 

Q: Does black mastic always contain asbestos? 

A: No. Some older black mastic products contained asbestos, while others did not. Its color and appearance cannot confirm the contents, so testing is needed. 

Q: Are nine-inch floor tiles always asbestos? 

A: No. Nine-inch tiles are commonly associated with older asbestos- containing flooring, but size alone is not proof. Laboratory testing is required. 

Q: Does asbestos flooring always need removal? 

A: No. Intact material may sometimes be managed in place or covered, depending on its condition and the renovation plan. A qualified professional should recommend the safest approach. Illinois EPA recognizes repair, encapsulation, enclosure, and removal as possible management methods.