- Homes built before 1990 can have asbestos in old vinyl tiles, sheet vinyl backing, and the black glue (mastic) under them.
- You can't tell by looking. Only a lab test can.
- In BC, WorkSafeBC expects contractors to have a hazardous materials survey done before disturbing materials like these in older buildings.
- If it's positive, removal is a job for a licensed abatement contractor. Sometimes covering it is the better plan.
This one isn't fun, but it's real. A lot of Lower Mainland homes were built in the decades when asbestos was common in flooring. Most of the time it's harmless while it sits there undisturbed. The risk comes when it's sanded, scraped or broken up.
Where it hides in floors
- Vinyl floor tiles, including the old 9"×9" and 12"×12" ones.
- Sheet vinyl / linoleum backing.
- Black adhesive (mastic) under tile or old wood blocks.
- Sometimes levelling compounds and patching from that era.
How it works in BC
- Testing first. For older homes, a qualified person takes samples and sends them to a lab. Results usually come back within days.
- Negative: the project carries on as normal.
- Positive: removal is done by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor, then the flooring work starts.
- Keep the reports. Buyers and future contractors will ask.
WorkSafeBC's rules apply to contractors and their workers. A homeowner working on their own home isn't covered the same way, but the health risk is identical. Please don't scrape or sand old tile to "see what's under it."
Covering instead of removing
If the old floor is solid, flat and well stuck down, it can sometimes be left in place and covered with a new floating floor or underlayment, so nothing is disturbed. That depends on height, doors and the condition of the old floor. More in flooring over an existing floor.
Common questions
How do I know if my old floor tiles contain asbestos?
Only a lab test can confirm it. If your home was built before 1990 and has old vinyl tiles, sheet vinyl or black adhesive, have a sample tested before the floor is disturbed.
Can you install new flooring over asbestos tiles?
Often, if the tiles are intact, well bonded and the floor is flat. Covering avoids disturbing them. The new floor's requirements and height changes need to be checked first.
Do I need an asbestos test before renovating in BC?
For contractors working in older buildings, WorkSafeBC requires materials that may contain asbestos to be identified before they're disturbed, which in practice means a hazardous materials survey for many pre-1990 homes.
Who's writing this: Rose and Thorn Flooring is a flooring company in Surrey, BC. We install floors for a living, so yes, we'd love to do yours. But nobody pays us to say nice things about a product, and we don't earn commission from any brand. If something here is wrong or out of date, text us at 604-716-4160 and we'll fix it.