HomeAsbestos MaterialsVinyl Floor Tiles
Asbestos in vinyl floor tiles and sheet vinyl
Vinyl floors laid before 1990 can contain asbestos in the tile itself, in the backing of sheet vinyl, or in the adhesive underneath. The tiles are usually low risk while they stay stuck down and intact. The backing is where the risk sits.
Updated · Sources listed at the foot of this page
Where you'll find it in Bendigo homes
Kitchens, laundries, bathrooms and hallways in 1950s–80s homes are the usual places: fibro and weatherboard houses in Kangaroo Flat, Golden Square and Eaglehawk, and brick veneers in Flora Hill and Kennington. Older vinyl is often hidden under newer floating floors or carpet, so it surfaces mid-renovation.
How to recognise it
- Square tiles, often 225 mm (9 inches) or 300 mm, in marbled or speckled patterns
- Sheet vinyl or lino with a grey, white or fibrous felt-like backing
- Black or dark brown adhesive underneath
- Several layers, with older vinyl sitting under a newer floor
None of these confirm asbestos. Only a laboratory test does.
Tiles versus backing
| Material | Typical form | Who can remove it |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl floor tiles | Non-friable (bonded) | Over 10 m² needs a Class B licence or higher |
| Sheet vinyl with a friable asbestos backing | Friable | Class A licence holder only |
WorkSafe Victoria's compliance code for removing asbestos specifies that vinyl floor covering identified as having a friable backing must be removed by a Class A licence holder. That backing is soft and fibrous, and it tears and releases fibres when the vinyl is pulled up.
What not to do
- Don't sand, grind or scrape tiles or adhesive.
- Don't rip up sheet vinyl to see what's underneath.
- Don't use a floor sander or grinder to level old adhesive before laying a new floor.
What happens next
- Testing. A sample of the tile, backing or adhesive is analysed by an accredited lab.
- Decide. Intact tiles can sometimes be covered with a new floor and left in place. Disclose them to future trades.
- Licensed removal. If they're coming up, the licence class depends on the result: Class A for a friable backing, Class B or A for tiles over 10 m².
- Clearance. An independent clearance certificate for licensed jobs over 10 m², and every friable job.
How it's tested
A sample is cut from the edge of a tile, or from a corner of the sheet vinyl so the backing is included, and the adhesive is sampled separately if it's coming up. The lab result shows whether the tile, backing or glue contains asbestos, and the backing result decides whether the job is Class A or Class B.
Get a free quote
Leave your name, number and a line about what you've found. Prefer to talk? Call instead.
Call 03 4443 5430Vinyl floor asbestos: common questions
Can I lay a new floor over old vinyl tiles?
Often, yes, if the tiles are intact and well stuck down and the new floor doesn't need sanding or grinding of the old surface. Record where they are for future renovations.
Is the black glue under the tiles asbestos?
It can be. Older bituminous adhesives sometimes contained asbestos. Test it before scraping or grinding.
How much does vinyl removal cost?
It depends on the area, whether a friable backing is involved, and how stubborn the adhesive is. See the Bendigo asbestos removal cost guide.