Asbestos Tile Removal & Disposal | HSE Licensed

Q: Are asbestos floor tiles dangerous?

When intact and undisturbed, asbestos floor tiles are lower-risk as fibres are bound within the tile. Damage during removal — sanding, grinding or mechanical lifting — can release fibres into the air. Removal should only be carried out by trained professionals under controlled conditions.

Q: How do I identify asbestos floor tiles?

Common indicators include 9-inch × 9-inch tile size, black bitumen adhesive underneath, and installation before 2000. Only laboratory analysis of a sample can confirm asbestos — contact AIB Solutions to arrange sampling before any flooring work proceeds.

Q: Can I remove asbestos floor tiles myself?

Vinyl and thermoplastic tiles are generally non-licensed materials, but the risks are significant. We strongly recommend using a specialist contractor with correct equipment, training and PPE to do the job safely.

Q: Does the bitumen adhesive also need removing?

The black bitumen adhesive frequently contains asbestos and must be assessed. It can sometimes be encapsulated rather than removed depending on condition and subsequent floor use. AIB Solutions assess this on a job-by-job basis.

Q: How much does asbestos tile removal cost?

Cost depends on floor area, tile type, adhesive condition and accessibility. We provide free, itemised quotes with no hidden charges. Call 01782 613773 for a same-day response.

What You Need to Know

Asbestos Floor Tiles — The Risk & Why Removal Matters

Asbestos was widely used in vinyl floor tiles, thermoplastic tiles and the bitumen adhesives used to bond them from the 1950s through to the late 1990s. If your property was built or refurbished before 2000, there is a significant chance the flooring contains asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

When intact and undisturbed, asbestos floor tiles are classed as lower-risk. But during renovation work — lifting, sanding, grinding or mechanical removal — fibres can be released into the air and inhaled. This makes safe, controlled removal by a licensed contractor essential even more important.

⚠ Don't sand, grind or mechanically lift suspected tiles

These methods break asbestos fibres that are invisible to the naked eye. If you suspect your floor tiles contain asbestos, stop work immediately and contact AIB Solutions for a free assessment.

HSE Licensed

Full HSE licence for all categories of licensed asbestos removal since 2005.

Tiles & Adhesive

We remove both the tile and the bitumen adhesive beneath — a complete flooring solution.

Full Documentation

Clearance certificate and waste consignment notes on every job.

No Hard Sell

Free expert advice on every enquiry. We'll tell you honestly what's needed.

Know What You Have

How to Identify Asbestos Floor Tiles

You cannot confirm asbestos by sight alone — only laboratory analysis can do that. But certain visual signs suggest a flooring system may contain asbestos and warrant professional sampling before any work proceeds.

Visual Warning Signs

These characteristics are common in ACM floor tiles but are not conclusive — always confirm with a sample test:

9-inch × 9-inch tile size (the most common indicator)
Black or dark brown bitumen adhesive underneath
Installed between 1950 and 1999
Mottled, speckled or marbled appearance
Tiles in schools, hospitals or pre-2000 commercial buildings
Thermoplastic or vinyl composition tiles (VCT)

High-Risk Situations

Stop work immediately if any of these apply and contact us for a free assessment:

You've started lifting tiles and found black adhesive
Tiles are crumbling, cracked or damaged
A builder or surveyor has flagged a potential issue
You're renovating a pre-2000 property and don't have records
Tiles have been sanded or mechanically stripped
You're buying a pre-2000 property and need a survey

Only laboratory analysis can confirm asbestos. If you suspect your floor tiles may contain asbestos, don't disturb them. Call us on 01782 613773 — we'll arrange a site visit, take samples and give you a written report.

Book a Free Assessment

Materials We Remove

Types of Asbestos Floor Tile We Remove

We remove all types of asbestos-containing flooring materials — from the tiles themselves to the adhesive below, across all property types.

01

Vinyl Composition Tiles (VCT)

The most common type found in pre-2000 properties. Typically 9"×9", often with a marbled or speckled pattern. Contain chrysotile asbestos bound in the tile matrix.

Non-licensed removal

02

Thermoplastic Tiles

Harder, more brittle tiles commonly used in schools, hospitals and commercial buildings from the 1950s–70s. Often darker in colour and more prone to crumbling when disturbed.

Non-licensed removal

03

Bitumen Adhesive

The black adhesive used to bond tiles to the subfloor frequently contains asbestos. Even if the tiles themselves are removed safely, the adhesive must also be assessed and removed correctly.

Non-licensed removal

04

Encapsulated & Damaged Tiles

Cracked, damaged or previously encapsulated tiles that have deteriorated require careful removal. We assess condition on site and apply the correct method and containment.

Non-Licensed Removal

How It Works

Our Asbestos Tile Removal Process

From your first call to the final clearance certificate — a clear, transparent process with no surprises.

1

Free Advice & Survey

We visit your site, inspect the flooring and take samples for laboratory analysis if required. Written report provided.

2

Detailed Quote

A transparent, itemised quote covering removal of tiles, adhesive and disposal. No hidden costs.

3

Controlled Removal

Tiles and adhesive removed using the correct method and PPE under controlled conditions to prevent fibre release.

4

Clearance

The area is fine cleaned and cleanliness is self certified.

5

Certificates & Disposal

You receive a clearance certificate and waste consignment notes proving legal disposal at an EA-permitted facility.

Who We Work With

Asbestos Tile Removal Across All Sectors

Asbestos floor tiles are found across every property type. Our teams work across all sectors with the same high standard of work on every job.

Domestic

Houses, flats, garages and extensions. We work around homeowners to minimise disruption — fast turnaround, full documentation.

Domestic asbestos removal →

Commercial

Offices, retail units, warehouses and mixed-use developments. We can work out of hours and to tight project timelines.

Commercial asbestos removal →

Education

Schools and universities built before 2000 are among the most common sites for asbestos floor tiles. We work within strict school holiday schedules.

Education sector removal →

Industrial

Factories, warehouses and plant rooms often contain large areas of thermoplastic floor tiles. We manage large-scale removals with minimal operational impact.

Industrial asbestos removal →

Construction & Refurbishment

Pre-demolition and refurbishment surveys are a legal requirement. We integrate with your project programme to ensure compliance before any work starts.

Survey & testing services →

Public Sector

Councils, NHS trusts, housing associations and government bodies. We understand public sector compliance requirements and procurement frameworks.

Public sector removal →

Why Choose AIB Solutions

The Asbestos Tile Removal Specialists.

We've been removing asbestos floor tiles and adhesive from every type of property since 2003. With over 40,000 removals completed and a 4.9-star Google rating, we're the contractor our clients come back to.

Our directly employed teams — never subcontractors — carry out every asbestos tile removal to the same high standard, with full documentation as standard on every job.

Related Services

Domestic Asbestos Removal

Full removal service for homeowners

→

Asbestos Testing & Surveys

Sampling, lab analysis and management surveys

→

Asbestos Waste Collection

Collection and legal disposal of asbestos waste

→

Pipe Lagging Removal

Licensed removal of asbestos pipe lagging

→

Directly Employed Teams

We never subcontract. Every operative is directly employed, fully trained and personally licensed.

Tiles & Adhesive — Both Removed

We don't just lift tiles and leave. As an option the bitumen adhesive is also assessed and removed, giving you a clean, safe substrate ready for new flooring.

Full Documentation Every Time

Clearance certificate and waste consignment notes. Everything you need for property sales, insurance and compliance.

Fast Turnaround

Most floor tile jobs are completed within one to two days. We quote quickly, mobilise fast and work to your programme.

Get Started Today

Suspect Asbestos Floor Tiles?
Talk to Our Team First.

Free expert advice on every call. We'll tell you exactly what you have, whether it needs removing and what it will cost — no obligation, no hard sell.

Get a Free Quote 01782 613773

FAQs

Common Questions About Asbestos Tile & Floor Removal

Have a question we haven't answered? Call us — our team will answer any asbestos question free of charge with no obligation to book.

01782 613773

Why were asbestos floor tiles and bitumen adhesives used?

Asbestos was added to vinyl and thermoplastic tiles to improve strength, durability and heat resistance. Bitumen adhesive often contained asbestos for the same reasons. These materials were used widely from the 1950s to the 1990s across homes, schools, hospitals and commercial buildings.

Are asbestos floor tiles dangerous?

When intact and undisturbed, asbestos floor tiles are classed as lower-risk because the fibres are bound within the tile matrix. However, damage during removal — particularly sanding, grinding or mechanical lifting — can release fibres into the air. This is why removal should only be carried out using controlled, safe methods by trained professionals.

How do I identify asbestos floor tiles?

Common visual indicators include 9-inch × 9-inch tile size, black bitumen adhesive underneath, and installation before 2000. However, you cannot confirm asbestos by sight alone — only laboratory analysis of a sample can give a definitive result. Contact us to arrange sampling before proceeding with any flooring work.

Can I remove asbestos floor tiles myself?

Vinyl composition tiles and thermoplastic tiles are generally classed as non-licensed asbestos materials, meaning a licensed contractor is not legally required for their removal. However, the risks are significant — particularly the danger of releasing fibres during lifting. We strongly recommend using a specialist contractor who has the correct equipment, training and PPE to do the job safely.

Does the bitumen adhesive also need removing?

Not always the black bitumen adhesive used to bond asbestos tiles frequently contains asbestos itself and must be assessed as part of the removal project. In many cases it can be encapsulated rather than removed, depending on condition and subsequent use of the floor. We assess this on a job-by-job basis and advise accordingly.

How long does asbestos tile removal take?

Most floor tile removal jobs are completed within one to two days depending on the area size and condition of the tiles. We provide a detailed schedule as part of your quote and will always aim to minimise disruption, particularly for occupied properties and schools.

What do I get at the end of the job?

Every job includes a clearance certificate and waste consignment notes confirming legal disposal at an EA-permitted facility, and a job completion report. These documents are essential for property sales, insurance and demonstrating regulatory compliance.

How much does asbestos tile removal cost?

Cost depends on the floor area, tile type, condition of the adhesive and accessibility. We provide free, itemised quotes with no hidden charges. Call 01782 613773 or submit an enquiry and we'll get back to you same day.

Asbestos Floor Tile Removal & Disposal.

Asbestos Floor Tiles — The Risk & Why Removal Matters