Floor coverings
Asbestos in vinyl flooring – analysis €49.99
In older buildings, vinyl flooring, its backing or the adhesive underneath can contain asbestos. Find out before you rip up the flooring, sand it or strip the floor.
In short
Can vinyl flooring contain asbestos?
Yes. Asbestos can be in the flooring itself, in its backing, or in the floor adhesive and filler underneath. The sample should therefore include every layer you intend to remove – or you can send the materials as separate samples. The analysis costs €49.99 incl. VAT per sample.
Identify the material
What should you know about this material?
Which part of vinyl flooring is a risk?
Asbestos can occur in the flooring itself, in its backing (for example on cushioned vinyl), in black adhesive, in floor adhesive or in the levelling compound. You cannot tell from the surface which layer contains asbestos.
Why should you not just rip up old flooring?
Ripping up old flooring can break up the adhesive layer and create dust. If the material contains asbestos, the work must be carried out as asbestos removal under your national occupational safety rules.
How do I take the sample?
Cut a small piece of flooring from the edge or from a spot that will be covered later. If adhesive or filler forms a separate layer, include it in the same sample or label it as a separate sample.
Sampling
How to take a representative sample
- Take a piece that shows the flooring, the backing and any adhesive layer.
- Write the room and the place on the floor on the sample.
- If there is black adhesive under the flooring, take a separate, representative sample of it.
If the material crumbles, is dusty or is hard to reach, do not force it loose. Only firmly bound materials may be sent by post, never dusty insulation. If you are unsure how to take the sample safely, ask a professional.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about asbestos in vinyl flooring
Test for asbestos in vinyl flooring before demolition
Order the analysis online and pay by card, send the sample to our laboratory with your national postal service, and receive the result by email on the day the sample arrives.