Old 9×9 tile, sheet vinyl backing and black mastic under your flooring can all contain asbestos. We test each layer, remove what's positive under containment, and leave a clean slab ready for new flooring.
Four materials that stop flooring projects across the Treasure Valley.
The classic indicator, but 12×12 and other sizes can contain asbestos too. Found under carpet, newer tile, or exposed in basements and kitchens.
The tar-like glue that held old flooring down. Can be positive even when the tile above is clean — sampled as a separate material.
Old linoleum-style flooring often has a paper backing heavily laden with asbestos. Shreds and crumbles when pulled up — one of the riskier DIY mistakes.
Tile over tile, vinyl over sheet goods — each layer may contain different asbestos materials requiring separate lab answers.
None of these can be identified by sight. Lab testing starts at $299 and answers the question for each layer.
Flooring is often the most affordable asbestos removal — intact tile is non-friable and comes up in whole pieces.
| Scope | Planning Range |
|---|---|
| Intact vinyl asbestos floor tile | $5–$9 / sq ft |
| Floor tile + black mastic | $7–$12 / sq ft |
| Mechanical mastic removal | $10–$18 / sq ft |
| Multiple flooring layers | Add $2–$6 / sq ft |
| Residential project minimum | $1,750 |
A 300 sq ft kitchen at $9/sq ft runs about $3,250 total including clearance. Full details on the pricing page.
Tile, backing and adhesive tested separately — you only pay abatement rates for what's actually positive.
Sealed barriers, HVAC isolation and HEPA negative-air keep fibers from the rest of the house.
Tile comes up intact — no dry grinding. Mastic is treated chemically or mechanically under controls.
HEPA vacuuming, wet-wiping, visual inspection and air clearance coordination.
Sealed, labeled waste to an approved landfill. You receive disposal documentation.
Typical single-room floor: 1–3 days. See process and timelines for details.
Not always. Here are your options.
Intact, well-bonded tile is low-risk. A compatible floating floor or new covering can go over it — no abatement needed. Document what's underneath for future work.
Seal and cover the material without full removal. Learn more →
The right call when tile is cracked or loose, the subfloor needs work, a glue-down floor requires grinding, or you want the material gone before a sale or remodel.
No. Black, brown and yellow adhesives may or may not contain asbestos — color isn't a test. The adhesive is sampled separately from the tile above it.
Yes. Nine-inch tile is the notorious size, but 12-inch and other formats from the same era can also contain asbestos. Tile size alone is not a reliable indicator.
Often yes — intact, well-bonded tile can stay under a compatible new floor, as long as installation doesn't break, sand or grind it. We can confirm whether your floor qualifies.
Pause the project and preserve what you can. Remaining material can still be tested and any needed cleanup scoped. Call us promptly — this is a common situation and it's fixable.
Same-week flooring tests across Boise and the Treasure Valley. Testing from $299, removal from $6/sq ft.