Asbestos on Sheet Linoleum: Likely?

LESLIE: Maryann in Tennessee is on the line and has some concerns about asbestos on sheet linoleum. Tell us what’s going on.

MARYANN: Working on an older house. It was built in 1937. I know that there – I was told that there were concerns with maybe the linoleum that’s on the floor. There’s just a little bit in the kitchen and in the bathroom. And before I took it up, I didn’t know whether I needed to check it for asbestos, if there were any other places I needed to check, as well.

TOM: So this is old linoleum? We aren’t talking about tile here? It’s sheet linoleum?

MARYANN: Yes.

TOM: I’ve not heard of asbestos on sheet linoleum. I’m not going to say it’s impossible. It’s more a tile.

LESLIE: And it’s a 9×9 tile and it’s always in very specific colors, that you’ll know when you see it that that’s an asbestos tile. They don’t make a 9×9 anymore. This is it.

TOM: Yeah. The only way to really know for sure about asbestos on sheet linoleum is to have it tested but linoleum is generally not something that’s associated with asbestos. And even if it did, it would be contained inside of a binder, which makes it less likely to be removed – well, to exposed to the air.

Now, once you take that up, though, you also don’t know what’s underneath it. You could be revealing some other tile, like that 9×9 that Leslie was talking about. But that said, it generally is a good idea to pull up old floors before you put down new ones. So, hope that helps you out.

MARYANN: OK. Is there any place else I need to be concerned about on the asbestos?

LESLIE: Well, you would generally find it wrapping water pipes. And it looks almost like an old-fashioned cast. You can see it’s a flaky substance that’s wrapped with almost like a plaster of Paris. And you’ll know that, also, when you see it.

MARYANN: OK.

LESLIE: And that’s asbestos. And while that has very low levels, I would not tackle it myself. You should get a pro, always, to do it if you see it.

MARYANN: Alright. Well, thank you very much.

TOM: Alright. Good luck with that project.