How Does Felt Flooring Manufacturer Work?

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Asbestos Felt and Paper Used in Building Materials

Because of the naturally soft, fibrous consistency of asbestos, the fireproof mineral was also made into felt for construction and manufacturing purposes until its toxicity was revealed to the public. Felt is a type of fabric made when textile fibers are compressed and heated or moistened so that they mat together. Felt was commonly made of animal hair or synthetic fibers.

Asbestos felt was used along with adhesives in the floors of older homes.

Asbestos felt was used as an underlayment for floors and roofs. Paper mills also used sheets of it on which to dry hot paper pulp. The asbestos content of these products was historically 85%. Almost all manufacturers used the common chrysotile form, also known as "white asbestos." Asbestos felt and paper easily release toxic fibers into the air when worked with or disturbed. It poses a major exposure risk.

Asbestos flooring felt is one of the few asbestos products completely banned in the United States. Old asbestos felt remains on the floors and roofs of millions of American buildings constructed between 1900 and the 1990s. Roofers, flooring installers, demolition workers and paper mill workers were exposed.

Diseases Related to Asbestos Felt

Exposure to asbestos-contaminated felt may cause the following diseases:

• Mesothelioma
• Lung cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Asbestosis
• Pleural plaques
• Diffuse pleural thickening
• Pleuritis
• Pleural effusion

In 2007, an asbestos exposure study was published in the Annals of Work Exposures and Health. It simulated work roofers performed using asbestos-containing roofing materials, including felt. Chrysotile asbestos fibers were detected in 28 of 84 air samples taken during the study.

Thankfully, it is unlikely that current roofers are exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos over an eight-hour work shift. Unfortunately, former roofers were exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos. They have developed related diseases as a result.

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Occupations at Risk

Roofers, flooring installers and paper mill workers inhaled asbestos working with asbestos felt. Even when the product was new and in good condition it could release asbestos fibers during handling.

In decades past, asbestos felt products contributed substantially to occupational exposure. Occupations at risk of exposure to asbestos felt and paper include:

• Roofers
• Flooring installers
• Construction workers
• Demolition workers
• Paper mill workers

If you were exposed in the past, watch for symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, abdominal swelling and fatigue. Workers diagnosed with related diseases should see a doctor to ensure they receive the best treatment possible.

It is important to hire a licensed asbestos abatement professional if you believe asbestos felt is in your home or workplace.

What Was Asbestos Felt Used for in Construction?

The construction industry primarily used asbestos felt to produce roofing and flooring products. It was also used to make paper.

The primary applications for asbestos felt included:

• Roofing: Construction workers used asbestos roofing felt as an underlayment for shingles. It was also sometimes the main material used in built-up roofs. Asbestos tar paper, also known as asbestos felt underlayment, was used as an underlayment for roofs.
• Flooring: Asbestos felt was often laid under linoleum, vinyl and asphalt floor tiles for padding and insulation.
• Paper Manufacturing: Asbestos paper mills used sheets of asbestos felt as a drying surface for paper pulp.

Installing, repairing and removing asbestos felt and paper products released asbestos fibers into the air. These fibers are easily inhaled, but the body struggles to remove them all. The fibers accumulate in the body over time with repeated exposure. Over decades these fibers cause damage and inflammation that leads to cancer.

Companies Connected to Asbestos Felt and Paper

Companies that manufactured asbestos felt include:

Other companies that manufactured asbestos felt products include:

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Felt Flooring Manufacturer.

Several of these companies were forced into bankruptcy because of asbestos lawsuits. To reorganize through bankruptcy, they had to create trust funds to compensate asbestos victims.

Compensation for Exposure to Asbestos Felt and Paper

Workers have filed lawsuits against manufacturers of asbestos products. These people were diagnosed with diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer. This sent many companies into bankruptcy.

• In September 2020, widower William Robaey was awarded more than $10 million in a wrongful death lawsuit filed against Felt Products Manufacturing after his wife died of mesothelioma because of secondary exposure. Robaey used asbestos-containing products made by Felt Products Manufacturing in his home garage. She was exposed while she helped him work and when she cleaned the garage and his work clothes.
• In the 1990s, flooring contractor Robert Ehret developed mesothelioma after installing asbestos flooring felt with floor tiles and sheets for two decades. He took legal action against several companies that manufactured these products from the 1950s to 1980s. Mesothelioma took Ehret’s life before he could go to court, but his wife received an award of more than $3 million.

Another major manufacturer of asbestos flooring products, Armstrong World Industries, was driven to bankruptcy in 2000 by the volume of lawsuits filed against it. As part of its reorganization, it established the Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust in 2006 to provide asbestos compensation to present and future claimants. According to the trust’s 2014 annual report, it paid almost $100 million in claims that year and its total value was about $1.8 billion.

In addition to lawsuits and trust fund claims, other forms of compensation include VA claims, Social Security Disability and grants for treatment or travel. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can offer the best guidance on the types of compensation for which you may qualify.

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Abatement and History of Asbestos Felt

If roofing or flooring installed before 1980 must be repaired or replaced, a sample of the underlayment should be tested for asbestos before the work gets underway. Consult a trained asbestos abatement professional before doing any work that may disturb an asbestos felt product.

Asbestos was used in the backing of numerous sheet flooring products.

Asbestos felt is friable, making it a particularly hazardous product no matter the percentage of asbestos content. Most asbestos felt in homes and businesses today is encapsulated under floor tiles and roof shingles. The safest thing to do in many cases is to leave it that way so asbestos fibers remain trapped.

In the early 1900s, a new construction method called built-up roofing became popular. During this process, several layers of fabric covered with tar or asphalt were laid down on top of one another. Asbestos felt became the primary material used in many flat-topped buildings.

Materials used in flooring installation also incorporated asbestos felt. Linoleum, asphalt and vinyl floor tiles all offered cheap and durable flooring solutions, and asbestos felt products were available as backing materials for all of them.

The rise of the office worker brought with it the advent of the modern paper industry, which found yet another application for asbestos felt. After trees are processed into wood pulp, the pulp must be dried before being made into paper. Laying the pulp out on sheets of asbestos felt allowed it to be dried at a high temperature, increasing the speed of production.

By the 1980s, however, corporations could no longer cover up the link between asbestos exposure and fatal diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. As with most asbestos products, the use of asbestos felt has largely been phased out in the United States, though it remains a threat to workers and homeowners renovating old floors and roofs.

Installing new hardwood floors in a residential or commercial property is a task best left to professionals who have the expertise and experience required to ensure proper installation. To ensure the integrity, stability, and durability of hardwood floors, it’s crucial that no essential step is skipped in the installation process, because improper installation can lead to long-term damage of a client’s new hardwood floors. Unfortunately, many homeowners who choose to go the DIY route fail to follow all the necessary steps to ensure that their hardwood floors will last for decades without failing. One of the steps that is often overlooked in DIY projects is the installation of an underlayment.

The underlayment is essentially an added layer of protection placed between the hardwood floor and the subfloor. It can significantly extend the durability of the wood planks, and increase stability, waterproofing, soundproofing, and provide a flat, stable surface with no gaps or air pockets. Underlayment can be made of felt, cork, rubber, or foam, and the choice will depend on the type of hardwood, the type of installation, and the material of the subfloor. It’s always recommended to consult with an expert in hardwood flooring to decide which subfloor and underlayment to choose, even in the case of DIY projects. Decisions like these can make or break the durability and integrity of the hardwood floors in the long run.

Is felt a good choice for hardwood flooring underlayment?

Felt can be an adequate choice to use under hardwood flooring, in certain situations. Sometimes cork, rubber, or foam might be more suitable alternatives, depending on the features of the project.

The pros of felt underlayment under hardwood floors

Felt underlayment acts as a solid moisture barrier, preventing water from or moisture from a concrete or wood subfloor to reach the hardwood flooring and cause damage. This is a critical aspect to consider when it comes to damp, high-humidity areas like basements, kitchens, and other areas prone to moisture intrusion or water infiltration. In these situations, felt is a solid option that can add extra protection to the hardwood floor against water damage.

Felt is also a good option if the client is looking to soundproof the space through the hardwood flooring. Choosing a felt underlayment can help reduce noise transmission between floors, and it can act like a sound buffer, drowning out sounds from other floors or adjacent rooms. That’s why felt is a good option when it comes to installing hardwood floors in commercial buildings where there is constant noise and high traffic.

Another advantage of felt underlayment is that it can help smooth out minor irregularities in the subfloor, creating an even, flat surface for the hardwood planks to be installed on. In the end, the felt underlayment will help create a stable surface and ensure that the hardwood floors are even and level, avoiding bends and dents in the long run.

Lastly, felt underlayment can also provide thermal insulation, keeping the floor warm in colder climates or keeping it cool in hot climates. However, the impact is minor, so the client shouldn’t expect a significant difference; however, it can be an added bonus.

The cons of felt underlayment under hardwood floors

The good part is that felt underlayment provides several advantages and is also compatible with most types of subfloors for hardwood floor types, including solid hardwood and engineered hardwood. However, there are also factors to consider when deciding between felt underlayment and other types available.

Both DIY clients and hardwood flooring professionals should always check the warranty requirements of the hardwood floor before installation, as some manufacturers have specific recommendations or requirements when it comes to the type of underlayment used. It’s always a