Here's one for the newbies...

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Bump.

Any other comments? Anyone?

[cboyd]

With all that panelling would you mention the ureiha fermeldahyde in the glue from back then. I don't think it's an issue after all these years though. Just taking a shot at it.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by jjonas

Bump.

Any other comments? Anyone?

Yeah Jeff.
I know exactly what Vermiculite looks like and never would have guessed from that picture as it is to white looking.(maybe from the flash).
Here is a better closeup.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Late 60's and early 70's build, recognize all the products very well, including the trusses. But before zonolite insulation was 16" of wood shavings. Came in bails just like hay.
Don't mistake the 9"x9" VAT with the rubber tile of the same size for that era.

Here are some of the Patterns and colors manufactured by Armstrong.
http://www.asbestosresource.com/asbestos/tile/1966.pdf

And here you will find patterns for 1969

http://www.asbestosresource.com/asbestos/tile/1969.pdf

And that is where the pattern of tile appears to be the same as in the picture and matches my guess on the year built from what I saw in the pics.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Forgot to mention this also;

Armstrong also made 12" x 12" vinyl asbestos floor tiles beginning in 1960. By 1972 most Armstrong vinyl asbestos floor tiles were sold in the 12" x 12" dimension. From 1973 to 1980 all Armstrong Excelon vinyl asbestos floor tiles were sold in 12" x 12" size.
Learn how to distinguish the difference between then and now.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by mcyr

Forgot to mention this also;

Armstrong also made 12" x 12" vinyl asbestos floor tiles beginning in 1960. By 1972 most Armstrong vinyl asbestos floor tiles were sold in the 12" x 12" dimension. From 1973 to 1980 all Armstrong Excelon vinyl asbestos floor tiles were sold in 12" x 12" size.
Learn how to distinguish the difference between then and now.

Marcel there are many modern tiles that mimic the old asbestos containing tiles.
They started that back in the late eighties so it can be difficult to tell at times.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Bob, VAT was very dense, flat and did not show much of any imperfections underneath them.
They were very easy to break and hard to cut unless heated with hand torches that we used back then.
You can use heat guns today on VCT the same way to soften and cut.
If you pay attention, VAT if overlaid over an active crack in the floor, will crack, break and small loose pieces will be evident.
Some pieces will be broken at doorways, pipe penatrations and similar.
If you poke it with something sharp or pointed it will not penetrate like it would if VCT.
If you get your hands on a small piece, it will snap when it breaks, where as VCT will bend before it breaks.
The photos in the links above is a great help in identifying the patterns manufactures.
Remember that , Sears, Kentile, Montgomery Ward and a few more manufactured VAT.

Hope this helps.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by mcyr

Bob, VAT was very dense, flat and did not show much of any imperfections underneath them.
They were very easy to break and hard to cut unless heated with hand torches that we used back then.
You can use heat guns today on VCT the same way to soften and cut.
If you pay attention, VAT if overlaid over an active crack in the floor, will crack, break and small loose pieces will be evident.
Some pieces will be broken at doorways, pipe penatrations and similar.
If you poke it with something sharp or pointed it will not penetrate like it would if VCT.
If you get your hands on a small piece, it will snap when it breaks, where as VCT will bend before it breaks.
The photos in the links above is a great help in identifying the patterns manufactures.
Remember that , Sears, Kentile, Montgomery Ward and a few more manufactured VAT.

Hope this helps.

True that it is more brittle but do we really wish to snap the asbestos tile to test it ? (P.S) I am sitting down surrounded by it right now.Keep it sealed with heavy wax.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

I installed that stuff all through my younger years Bob, hasn't killed me yet.
It only contains 1-3% asbestos. Unless you grind or sand it to make dust, breaking a piece will not kill you or endanger you health.

[KEVIN WOOD]

Maybe you should tell Mike Holmes that before he attacks every home with asbestos tiles even the ones covered up with new flooring.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

The EPA recommends a practical approach that protects the health of building occupants. This approach includes locating and identifying asbestos materials in buildings, and proper management of the material.
When materials containing asbestos are left intact and undisturbed they do not pose a health risk to building occupants. There is a potential for exposure only when the material becomes damaged to the extent that asbestos fibers become airborne and are inhaled.
Asbestos is more likely to release fibers when it is friable. The term friable means the material can be easily crumbled. If powdered or friable forms of asbestos are disturbed and become airborne, an inhalation hazard may result. In non-friable materials like floor tile, ceiling tiles, laboratory cabinet tops, and caulks, the asbestos fibers are tightly bound in a matrix which prevents the release of fibers to the environment unless the material is abraded, sanded or sawed.

[Douglas Cossar]

Originally Posted by mcyr

The EPA recommends a practical approach that protects the health of building occupants. This approach includes locating and identifying asbestos materials in buildings, and proper management of the material.
When materials containing asbestos are left intact and undisturbed they do not pose a health risk to building occupants. There is a potential for exposure only when the material becomes damaged to the extent that asbestos fibers become airborne and are inhaled.
Asbestos is more likely to release fibers when it is friable. The term friable means the material can be easily crumbled. If powdered or friable forms of asbestos are disturbed and become airborne, an inhalation hazard may result. In non-friable materials like floor tile, ceiling tiles, laboratory cabinet tops, and caulks, the asbestos fibers are tightly bound in a matrix which prevents the release of fibers to the environment unless the material is abraded, sanded or sawed.

In addition health hazards come from prolonged exposure to high levels of fibers. Like people employed in that industry for years, working without PPE. Some people are prone to overreaction.
Cheers