How can you tell if your ceiling tiles contain asbestos?
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One quick way to rule out asbestos is to look at the core of the tile. If it is brown/tan, it is not likely asbestos.
If the core is white or gray, then there is a chance it could be asbestos. It may also just be cellulose (the most common material of ceiling tiles).
Have it tested for sure, it should not be that much money. If I do any sampling during a home inspection, I just charge the lab fee and enough to cover shipping. If I go out just for asbestos, I will charge a trip fee.
Sounds about right. I called the company I had test our floor tiles about the sample I collected from the ceiling tiles in the same room. They were while on the exterior and the bulk of the tile was brown and crumbly. I figured they were cellulose but I called about submitting them and the tech confirmed they were most likely not asbestos.
The tests for my floors a couple of years back was $35 for each sample (so $35 for the tile and $35 for the glue on the tile). I looked at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) website for an accredited laboratory and choose Legend Technical Services since I am in MN.
Directory of Accredited Laboratories, Asbestos Fiber Analysis (PLM Test Method)
Yes, I follow the EPA guidelines for sampling. The size of the sample you send to the lab is really pretty small, and caulking will usually take care of the sample site.
When I take a sample, I find a place where it is not likely to be noticed, Then I use a very sharp knife and cut out a piece. With ceiling tiles I have a pretty good method that I have used where I make a cut, peel it back a little, take my sample from the core, with a small amount of the coating too, then use a dap of caulk to glue the cut piece back in place. I can usually make it where you can't even tell I cut some out (lots of practice).
I have to do some other stuff while I'm taking the sample to keep from having a fiber release, and packaging the sample for shipment to the lab, but thats to follow the EPA guidelines.
We have ceiling tiles in the kitchen and two bedrooms. The house is going up for sale. I do not know if the tiles contain asbestos or not. It was never a discussion in our household. Are we liable if after the sale, the buyer finds asbestos in the tiles of their newly purchased home?
We have ceiling tiles in the kitchen and two bedrooms. The house is going up for sale. I do not know if the tiles contain asbestos or not. It was never a discussion in our household. Are we liable if after the sale, the buyer finds asbestos in the tiles of their newly purchased home?
Well, if you don't know I certainly don't know!
And on a disclosure form that's all you have to say- if it's brought up at all.
I only know for California. there you are required to disclose anything you know about. You are not required to do testing or to disclose suspicions or possibilities.
I remolded a lot of houses over the years and only had one house that had asbestos and it was in the mastic used to stick the tiles to the ceiling. All the tiles were of cellulose. Of the ones that I wasent involved in but know about, all the ceiling tiles that contained asbestos were white inside and relatively hard. Not soft and easily breakable.
One quick way to rule out asbestos is to look at the core of the tile. If it is brown/tan, it is not likely asbestos.
If the core is white or gray, then there is a chance it could be asbestos. It may also just be cellulose (the most common material of ceiling tiles).
Have it tested for sure, it should not be that much money. If I do any sampling during a home inspection, I just charge the lab fee and enough to cover shipping. If I go out just for asbestos, I will charge a trip fee.
There is no 100% sure way of simple visual testing for asbestos. Only a semi educated guestimate at best.
There is no 100% sure way of simple visual testing for asbestos. Only a semi educated guestimate at best.
Since I was first qualified to test for asbestos in 1989, I would say I have a fairly educated guess. Like I said in my post, the only way to know 100% is to have it tested by a lab.
That said, I have NEVER seen brown ceiling tiles that tested positive for asbestos, and I have sampled and tested hundreds and hundreds of ceiling tiles.
Since I was first qualified to test for asbestos in 1989, I would say I have a fairly educated guess. Like I said in my post, the only way to know 100% is to have it tested by a lab.
That said, I have NEVER seen brown ceiling tiles that tested positive for asbestos, and I have sampled and tested hundreds and hundreds of ceiling tiles.
I personally have no reason to doubt what you say, but this is the internet. I have found that people sometimes half digest what they read, and only take away what they want to believe. Such as "Brown tiles are safe". The OP may not be the only one that reads this message thread. Not trying to start an argument.
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