Experiences regarding asbestos in flooring

Hello everyone,

this is a house built in 1965, where we have so far removed a laminate floor in one room on the ground floor. Underneath, a presumed vinyl/PVC floor covering was revealed. Since we would like to convert the house to underfloor heating, this floor covering is also to be removed.

A craftsman had told us in advance (but without a detailed inspection) that the floor covering was not asbestos-containing. Trusting this, we have already lifted the floor covering at one corner and detached it from the underlying screed (naively and foolishly without any protective equipment). Due to the structure of the floor covering, however, we have become skeptical whether it might contain asbestos.

To get ahead of it, we have already ordered a test kit for laboratory analysis. However, it will still take a few days until it is delivered, the sample is sent in, and the lab result is available. Because of the possible fiber release, we are now very concerned about our health and the consequences for our renovation project, so we would be very grateful for an initial professional assessment.

Unfortunately, we did not take any pictures and currently do not dare to go into the house anymore, so I will try to describe the situation as precisely as possible:

The presumed vinyl/PVC floor covering consists of two layers, a foamed decorative layer with wood optics (similar to mosaic parquet imitation) as well as a thin white carrier layer. Unfortunately, we do not have reliable information on this, but the floor covering was presumably (not necessarily) installed with the construction of the building in 1965. The floor covering was laid as one "large, continuous sheet" over the entire room (approx. 4 x 4 m).

It is a flexible floor covering that can be folded back or bent over the walking surface without breaking. Also, when pulling the floor covering off the adhesive, no pieces broke off from the back and remained stuck to the adhesive. The backside also has no paper-/cardboard-like or brittle structure but rather a smooth surface. When pulling off the corner, the floor covering tore a bit starting from the edge due to adhesion to the adhesive (so it can tear but not break).

Furthermore, there is a print on the back, presumably the manufacturer’s name or logo. Since only one piece of the floor covering was detached, it cannot be clearly identified. What is clearly readable, however, is the printed word “Garantie” in various languages.

The floor covering is glued quite firmly to the underlying screed with a light brown adhesive. Considerable force is required to detach the floor covering. The adhesive is rather matte and also not brittle or fragile. It smells slightly of solvent (as far as I can judge) and still sticks a little bit to shoes when standing on it. However, it is less than when walking through dried lemonade on the floor (anyone with children probably knows that).

Due to recommendations from other threads, we would especially appreciate a professional assessment from [USER=28384]@KlaRa.

Thank you very much and best regards

Unfortunately, we didn't take any pictures and currently don't dare to go back into the house,

That's silly. You should know that asbestos is only dangerous if the product is damaged and the fibers can become airborne. Go in there and take photos instead of describing something that isn't in front of you.

Thank you very much for the quick response!

The issue regarding fiber release is of course known. As described, the coating is unfortunately already torn in one place and detached from the adhesive. So if it contains asbestos, the fibers are very likely in the room.

Best regards

The issue of fiber release is of course known. As described, the covering is unfortunately already torn in one spot and detached from the adhesive. So if it does contain asbestos, the fibers are very likely in the room.

Your question is similar to "Can you get lung cancer from one cigarette in your life?" If we now tell you that through your past and future time spent in the house you will have lost 0.023% of your lung capacity, what will you do?

Sorry, I apparently expressed myself unclearly in my original post.

My question was not aimed at possible consequences in the event of fiber release. Instead, based on the extensive expertise and experience in this forum, I was hoping for an initial professional assessment of whether the above-described flooring and adhesive contain asbestos at all (of course, in the hope of an easy all-clear).

I was on site again today for sampling, this time of course with appropriate protective equipment. I carefully detached the piece already loosened from the underlying screed in the corner and also took a few pictures (the black background is a foil and is only intended to improve contrast). The following can be seen:

- 2-layer construction (Picture 1)
- Thin, long fibers at the break edge, which are either in the lower layer or possibly also between the two layers (Picture 2)
- Decorative layer in wood look (Picture 3)
- Printed underside and light brown adhesive (Picture 4)
- The flooring and the adhesive are very elastic and can be bent or folded without breaking or tearing (Picture 5)

It is also interesting that the flooring was fully glued to the screed, but not "completely" as I know it, for example, from gluing modern parquet flooring.

Thank you very much for your support and best regards

Based on the extensive expertise and experience in this forum, a first professional assessment was hoped for,

But that contradicts itself: expertise according to description.

of course with appropriate protective equipment

I do hope that you disposed of it properly!

Then just wait and see what the lab tells you. How long is that supposed to take?