health wins out over nostalgia every time.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ll admit I’m a sucker for some of those old tiles—even if they’re a little “off” by today’s standards. There’s something about a weird 1930s hex pattern in avocado green that just screams character, you know? That said, I’m with you on the asbestos paranoia. The second I see questionable adhesives or that brittle, crumbly underlayer, I’m out. No tile is worth risking your lungs.
Still, I think sometimes people are too quick to rip everything out. A little elbow grease and some creative thinking can go a long way. I’ve seen some pretty wild tile “rescues” that ended up looking high-end just because they leaned into the quirkiness instead of fighting it. But yeah, if it’s falling apart or smells like the inside of an old lunchbox, probably time to say goodbye.