Asbestos under tiles
The tile is rarely the problem. What sits behind or beneath it, the glue, the backing and the old floor, is what you cannot see and should not disturb.
Asbestos under tiles is a real possibility in older Australian homes. The NSW Government portal lists "behind tiles" among the places asbestos can be found inside older homes. It also lists "under floor tiles and vinyl flooring" among the examples of friable asbestos. So the layer you cannot see is the one to worry about.
What may be hiding there
Three things can sit under or behind a tile. There is the adhesive that holds it. There may be a backing sheet or lining on a wall. On a floor there may be an older covering or underlay below. Any of them may be compatible with containing asbestos in a home built before the late 1980s.
You cannot tell which by looking. Colour, thickness and age prove nothing.
Why lifting one tile is a bad test
It is tempting to prise up a single tile and peek. Don't. Breaking the bond can release dust from the adhesive or the layer beneath, and the dust then settles through the room. A cracked tile is also a damaged tile, and damage is what turns a low risk into a real one.
The same goes for drilling a hole through a wall tile to fix a fitting. If you are planning a bathroom or kitchen renovation in an older house, stop before the first tap of the hammer.
What to do instead
Leave the tiles in place and keep the surface intact. If the work must go ahead, have a sample taken and analysed at a NATA-accredited laboratory first. Read how to test for asbestos for the safe route to a result.
For the glue itself, see asbestos in floor adhesive. For vinyl and lino layers, read asbestos in vinyl tiles, lino backing and underlay.
Covering over is often the honest answer
If the tiles are sound and the room works, doing nothing is a sensible choice. Sealed and undamaged asbestos is low risk, according to the NSW Government portal. A new floor laid over the top, or a wall left as it is, avoids the dust entirely. Removal is a separate decision, and lifting an old vinyl floor explains why it is rarely owner's work.
Check the rules in your state
Who may remove what depends on the state or territory and on the type and amount of material. See what a homeowner can legally remove, then confirm with your local regulator before you plan anything.
Frequently asked questions
Can there be asbestos behind bathroom tiles?
It is possible in older homes. The NSW Government portal lists behind tiles among the places asbestos can be found. Only a NATA-accredited laboratory can confirm it.
Is the adhesive under a tile the risk?
It can be. The glue, a backing sheet or a layer below may be compatible with containing asbestos, even when the tile itself is not.
Can I lift one tile to check underneath?
No. Breaking the bond can release dust. Have a sample taken and analysed at a NATA-accredited laboratory instead.
Is it safe to tile over old tiles?
Leaving sound material in place and covering it avoids disturbing it. Check the rules for your state and the condition of the surface first.
Sources
What this page explains is based on these official sources. If you check one and it does not match what you read here, send it to us and the article gets corrected.
- NSW Government asbestos portal. Asbestos in the home
- NSW Government asbestos portal. How do I manage asbestos on my property?