Written by Tom Yates . Edited 8th December 2023
Fact Checked by William Wright, NEBOSH
They are usually thin and brittle. They are usually removed by scraping them up. You will be able to easily break the tile in half using your hands. (Do not attempt to break the tile without wearing appropriate PPE)
The tiles can come in many shapes and sizes, however, the most common sizes are 9 x 9", 12 x 12" or 18 x 18"
Tom Yates
03/01/2023
No, A license is not required to removal asbestos floor tiles - However, the works may be notifiable to the HSE.
If you are the owner of the property and it is classed as a domestic dwelling then there are no laws preventing you from removing the floor tiles yourself, however, we would always recommend instructing professionals to carry out any removal works for you to protect your health.If you are an employee or the property is classed as non-domestic or commercial then you are bound by the laws of the HSE. You may be able to remove them yourself providing you have relevant training and experience in doing so. It's worth checking the HSE guidance on this to ensure you're not contravening any health & safety laws.
Yes, this is an option. Whilst we would always recommend having them removed by professionals, some property owners would prefer to save the expense and simply cover the flooring up with a new material. If you are having the new flooring fitted by a tradesman it's important to let them know that the floor tiles contain asbestos so they can assess the risk to themselves and include any measures in their risk assessment.
The common method of encapsulation of floor tiles by asbestos removal companies involves coating several layers of PVA glue over the tiles. This method is only used when the tiles are in good condition.Sealing in the tiles using this method helps prevent any further dust from the tiles from being released into the air.
To dispose of asbestos floor tiles in line with legislation the tiles should be bagged up using UN-certified asbestos waste bags. The material should be first put into the red bag which is then sealed using heavy-duty tape to create an air-tight seal. The clear bag should then be placed inside the red bag and again sealed with tape. This technique is called double-bagging. These bags can then be taken to the hazardous waste skip at a local waste recycling facility.
Full PPE Included
He's some other interesting articles we've written:
What is AIB / Asbestos Insulation Board
Get an Asbestos Removal Quote
How Much Does Asbestos Cost To Remove?
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