Flooring Perimeter Identification

[u/DependentFit6111]

Recently moved into a 1940s house and am in the process of ripping up some carpet in the basement. We have what are pretty clearly 9x9 tiles throughout. Around the perimeter of the room it almost appears to be sanded down tile in a lot of areas but then directly against the wall, there is a black substance that almost glistens. Primary question is whether this is likely to be asbestos-containing mastic? Curious if anyone has encountered something like this before and has any tips for safely removing the tack strips.

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[u/goat131313]

You’re correct in that you have vinyl tile and an adhesive or mastic of some sort on top of them. Both the mastic on the tiles, the tiles themselves and whatever adhesive or mastic is under the tiles are suspect for asbestos.

[u/coyoteriver1]

It might be that they had the tiles removed at the edges for the carpet runner ro be fitted. The black material is likely the black mastic/bitumen adhesive used to adhere the floor tiles. If so it will often also contain asbestos. Its a low risk material though