Asbestos Tile Removal

At Blue A Ltd, we’ve been removing asbestos floor tiles safely, legally, and with zero shortcuts since 2012. With over 11,000 completed projects across the UK — from homes and schools to hospitals and office blocks — we’re trusted nationwide for professional, compliant asbestos removal.

Our company is fully licensed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to carry out asbestos removal works. We are also a member of the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA), ensuring our standards and practices remain at the highest level of industry compliance.

Whether you're a homeowner planning a renovation, a contractor managing a refurbishment, or a facilities manager overseeing legacy flooring — we tailor our service to your space, schedule, and risk level.

Because removing asbestos tiles isn’t just a flooring job. It’s about protecting your lungs, your family, your team — and doing it right the first time.

Why are asbestos floor tiles a health risk?

Asbestos floor tiles were once seen as tough, fireproof, and ideal for high-traffic spaces. But that old confidence came with a hidden cost — asbestos fibres.

When asbestos tiles are intact and left undisturbed, the risk may seem low. The problem? Time, wear, and renovation work don’t leave materials undisturbed for long. Once these tiles crack, chip, or get lifted, they can release microscopic asbestos fibres into the air. You won’t see them, smell them, or feel them — but your lungs will.

The dangers include:

• Mesothelioma – a rare cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure
• Lung cancer – especially in those exposed long-term
• Asbestosis – permanent lung scarring caused by inhaling fibres
• Pleural thickening – leading to shortness of breath and reduced lung function

What makes this even more dangerous is the delay. You might breathe in asbestos today and not see symptoms for 20–40 years. That’s why we treat every tile removal like a serious health matter — because it is.

If your floor tiles were installed before 2000, they could contain asbestos. And if you're planning to remove them, drill into them, or even lay new flooring over them — that’s when the risk starts.

At Blue A, we don’t take chances. We remove asbestos floor tiles before they become airborne threats — safely, legally, and with full documentation.

How to tell if your floor tiles contain asbestos?

Not sure what’s under your feet? You’re not alone. Thousands of homes and buildings across the UK still have asbestos floor tiles in place — often hidden beneath carpets, laminate, or newer vinyl. The scary part? You can’t confirm asbestos just by looking.

Common indicators your tiles may contain asbestos:

• Installed before 2000 – especially in the 1950s–1980s
• Tile size – 9x9 inch tiles are classic asbestos-era products
• Colour and texture – brown, black, or mottled tiles with a greasy or dull finish
• Black glue underneath – known as black mastic or asbestos bitumen adhesive, often contains asbestos too
• Hard, brittle edges – older tiles tend to crack or snap under pressure 

About asbestos bitumen adhesive (black mastic)

When discussing asbestos floor tiles, it’s important to understand what’s holding them down. Underneath these tiles, you’ll often find a black adhesive known as black mastic or asbestos bitumen adhesive.

In around 95% of cases, when asbestos floor tiles are present, this black mastic also contains asbestos fibres. It was widely used as a damp-proofing material, providing strong adhesion while preventing moisture damage – but it carried the same hidden dangers as the tiles themselves.

So, if your flooring has tiles suspected to contain asbestos, be aware that the adhesive beneath them could also be an asbestos-containing material (ACM) requiring careful removal and disposal.

Asbestos tile removal process – safe, legal & certified

Removing asbestos floor tiles isn’t just about pulling them up — it’s about protecting everyone from microscopic fibres that can linger in the air, on surfaces, and in your lungs. At Blue A, we follow a strict, HSE-compliant process that keeps your space safe and legally covered from start to finish.

1. Initial inspection and testing

We start with a site visit and, if needed, collect samples for laboratory testing. We assess the condition of the tiles, check for cracked surfaces or fibre release, and examine any adhesive (like black mastic) for asbestos content.

2. Site preparation and containment

Before removal begins, we:

• Seal off the room with 1000-gauge plastic sheeting
• Cover all surrounding surfaces
• Set up Negative Pressure Units (NPUs) as standard. These specialised units draw air from the work area through HEPA filters that capture asbestos fibres, maintain negative pressure within the sealed enclosure to prevent contaminated air escaping, and safely vent clean, filtered air outside the building.
• Prepare a decontamination area for safe entry/exit

If no electricity is available on-site, we’ll bring a generator.

3. Wet removal of asbestos tiles

This method keeps dust levels to a minimum. We:

• Wet the tiles using a fine-mist spray
• Carefully lift them without snapping or cracking
• Keep adhesives damp during scraping
• Double-bag all waste in UN-approved asbestos sacks

All work is carried out using full PPE and Type H asbestos vacuums equipped with HEPA filters to ensure no microscopic fibres remain.

4. Removal challenges: easy or extremely difficult?

Removing asbestos floor tiles can be a straightforward job – or a highly challenging one – depending on the type of adhesive used.

For example, asbestos bitumen adhesive (black mastic) tends to allow tiles to come up relatively cleanly, often lifting as whole pieces with minimal breakage. This makes the removal process safer and faster.

However, if a different type of adhesive was used during installation, removal can become significantly more difficult. In some cases:

• Tiles are bonded so firmly that they cannot be lifted intact.
• Standard removal tools and high-end tile lifters fail to loosen them.
• They must be painstakingly chipped out using hammer and chisel techniques, dramatically increasing time, cost, and health risk management requirements.

That’s why at Blue A, we maintain set prices for removal from bitumen adhesive, as we know how this material behaves. When other adhesives are involved, the work can take two, three, or even four times longer. We assess and plan each project individually to ensure realistic timeframes, costs, and safe methods.

5. Decontamination and final clean

Once the tiles are up:

• We vacuum all surfaces using Type H asbestos vacuums equipped with HEPA filters, ensuring no microscopic fibres remain
• Wipe down all exposed surfaces
• Carefully remove and bag up the protective sheeting
• Inspect the area to ensure no residue remains

Your floor will be safe, clean, and ready for reinstatement.

6. Licensed waste disposal and documentation

Every bag of removed material is transported to a licensed disposal site. You’ll receive:

• A Hazardous Waste Consignment Note
• A unique waste reference number
• Full proof of legal, compliant disposal

No shortcuts, no grey areas – just certified, compliant work from start to finish.

What happens after the removal?

Once the asbestos tiles and adhesive are safely removed, we don’t just pack up and disappear. At Blue A, we make sure your space is clean, safe, and ready for whatever comes next — whether that's a full refurbishment or simply peace of mind.

A safe, usable surface

After decontamination, your floor will be:

• Free from asbestos residues
• Vacuumed, wiped down, and inspected
• Clear of waste or protective sheeting

You can walk in, plan new flooring, or begin follow-up works right away.

Help with flooring reinstatement

Need help choosing or installing a new floor? We can assist with:

• Replacing tiles or vinyl with modern, non-asbestos materials
• Preparing the subfloor after adhesive removal
• Recommending trusted contractors (or working alongside your own)

We’ll make sure your property isn’t just asbestos-free — but also functional and future-proof.

Optional air quality testing

For added assurance, we can organise post-removal air monitoring to confirm the environment is fibre-free — ideal for sensitive sites like schools or healthcare facilities.

In short? We leave nothing behind — except a clean slate.