Is asbestos floor tile dangerous?
Asbestos floor tile in good condition is best left alone; damaged tile may release fibers. Removal runs $5 to $15 per sq ft. Test, then ask.
Updated · By 
Ben Sikes
Is asbestos floor tile dangerous?
It depends on the tile's condition. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says "the mere presence of asbestos in a home or a building is not hazardous." It also warns that "damaged asbestos may release asbestos fibers and become a health hazard." If the tile is damaged or you plan to replace that floor, get it tested before your inspection deadline, then ask the seller to cover removal or give you a credit sized to a real bid.
If the report calls the tile cracked, broken or crumbling, don't sweep or vacuum the pieces. Have an accredited asbestos inspector look at it first. That's a safety step, not a bargaining chip.
Key takeaways
- Test the tile and the adhesive (mastic) under it separately. They can differ.
- Removal is priced per square foot, but a small job can hit a project minimum of $1,000 to $2,000 or more.
- A seller credit lets you choose your own abatement contractor, or cover the tile with a new floor instead.
How much does asbestos floor tile removal cost?
Check three things in any bid: whether the mastic comes up too, whether the tile is intact or crumbling, and whether a small room hits the contractor's minimum.
| Source | What the figure covers | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Education Associates | 9-by-9-inch vinyl floor tile; price turns on whether the tiles are friable or intact | $5 to $15 per sq ft |
| InspectandTest | Asbestos tile plus mastic | $8 to $15 per sq ft; project minimum can run $1,000 to $2,000 or more |
| FunGuy Mold Inspections, local contractor, Los Angeles | Vinyl floor tile and mastic | $5 to $12 per sq ft, or $1,000 to $3,500 for a kitchen or bathroom |
Ask whether each bid includes new flooring. If it doesn't, get a separate flooring bid.
Here's a 150-square-foot kitchen at InspectandTest's tile-plus-mastic rate:
- Removal: 150 × $8 = $1,200, up to 150 × $15 = $2,250
- Testing: $250 to $800
- Subtotal: $1,200 + $250 = $1,450, up to $2,250 + $800 = $3,050
- Still to price: new flooring, plus the clearance air test and permits if the abatement bid leaves them out
Written bids fill in the last line.
Kept prices every line of an inspection report for $79, usually under 4 hours.
How do I know if my floor tiles have asbestos?
You can't tell by looking. CPSC says you "can't tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it, unless it is labeled." The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says the only way to be sure is a test by a qualified lab. EPA recommends testing only when the material is damaged or a renovation would disturb it. If you plan a new floor, you fit the second case.
Don't cut a sample yourself. EPA says samples should be taken by a trained, accredited asbestos inspector, and CPSC wants the sample sent to a lab accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP).
CPSC lists the tile itself, the backing on vinyl sheet flooring, and the adhesive used to lay tile as places asbestos turns up. So ask the inspector to sample the tile and the mastic separately. Lab analysis runs $30 to $75 per sample, and an inspector's visit with testing runs $250 to $800.
Sampling means taking a piece of the seller's floor. Ask your agent to get the seller's OK in writing and book the visit. It works like arranging a contractor's walkthrough (how to get repair estimates during the inspection period). Ask the inspector when results will be back, and check that date against your deadline.
Can you live in a house with asbestos floor tiles?
CPSC's advice for intact material is direct: the best thing to do with asbestos material in good condition is to leave it alone. CPSC draws the line at damage or disturbance: "If asbestos material is more than slightly damaged, or if you are going to make changes in your home that might disturb it, repair or removal by a professional is needed."
If you plan to pull up that floor after closing, you are planning to disturb it, so price the work now.
If your report also flagged the ceiling or the attic, see asbestos popcorn ceiling and vermiculite insulation, or the mold, radon and asbestos findings hub.
Who removes asbestos floor tile, and can it happen before closing?
A licensed asbestos abatement contractor, not a regular flooring installer. CPSC says removal "must be done only by a contractor with special training" and that "improper removal may actually increase the health risks to you and your family."
Most residential abatement jobs take 2 to 5 days, including setup, cleanup and air testing before the room can be used. Scheduling is the unknown. Ask each contractor for a start date in writing with the bid.
A complete bid lists containment, independent air monitoring, disposal with waste shipment records, a clearance test after the work, and required permits. If any are missing, ask why.
What should I ask the seller for?
You have three choices:
- Removal before closing by a licensed abatement contractor, with the lab results, clearance test and waste records handed to you before closing.
- A credit or price reduction equal to the abatement bid plus new flooring. This lets you pick the contractor and the timing.
- A credit to cover the floor. CPSC counts covering asbestos material ("enclosure") as a repair. It says repair is usually cheaper than removal but can make later removal harder and more costly.
Put the scope, the trade and the bid figure on one line of your request. For example: "Vinyl floor tile and mastic, kitchen, 150 sq ft: removal by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor with clearance test, or a credit of $1,450 to $3,050 plus new flooring. Written bid to follow." Swap in the figures from your own bids. What to ask for after a home inspection covers how this fits with the rest of your list, and the buyer repair request letter template has the wording.
What if the seller says no?
You can accept the house as is and budget the work yourself, counter with a smaller credit, or cancel. An inspection contingency, if your contract has one, is what lets you cancel. Your contract sets the exact dates and terms, so confirm with your agent or attorney. When to walk away after a home inspection helps you decide.
Can I remove asbestos floor tiles myself?
CPSC says don't. Its list of what not to do includes "Don't saw, sand, scrape, or drill holes in asbestos materials."
Is it safe to touch asbestos tile?
CPSC's advice for suspect material: "Don't touch it, but look for signs of wear or damage."
How do I price the rest of my inspection report?
Get written bids for the big specialist items like this one. Price the smaller lines so your request adds up to a total you can defend.
If your report lists more than the floor tile, upload your inspection report to Kept so the rest of your list has a price before you write the request.
Sources
Cost figures are modeled from public wage and materials data unless a line says observed. Kept is accountable for the numbers on this page, and corrections go to support@usekept.com. How we price.