Removal & Safety for a Popcorn Ceiling

Testing

• Asbestos is microscopic in size, so you can't just inspect a popcorn ceiling and determine if asbestos is present. Don't count on the age of the ceiling revealing useful information. Although the asbestos popcorn ceiling mix was not manufactured after 1978, the existing supply remained on the shelves. A lab can test a sample of the ceiling and determine if it has asbestos and how much it contains. The best approach involves a professional taking the sample since getting the sample can expose you to asbestos if not done properly.

Asbestos Ceilings

• If lab results determine that the ceiling contains more than 1 percent asbestos, leaving it in place undisturbed often is safe. In good condition, a popcorn ceiling may look out of date but won't endanger your health. If the ceiling shows damage, a professional repair costs less than removal. Encapsulating the asbestos by spray painting works, but once painted, a removal will become more difficult. Removing the ceiling involves wetting the material down, and paint will hamper water absorption.

Asbestos Removal

• Attempting to remove an asbestos ceiling on your own is not a good idea. Safe removal involves equipment like respirators, suits, gloves and disposable boots. The room needs to be basically enclosed in plastic sheeting, which poses difficulty itself. The removal would involve at least three days work. Upon removal, the material gets bagged, marked with warnings, your name and the date of removal. You have 10 days to properly dispose of the material. If, during the removal, you make a mistake, you could endanger your health and you would not have special HEPA vacuums and other equipment needed to remedy the situation.

Nonasbestos Ceilings

• If the lab results come back as negative for asbestos, removal is safe but messy. The ceiling would need to be wet down and scraped off while wet. In preparation, tape plastic sheeting around the room and carefully cover outlets. Because the process involves water, safety issues with electricity need careful consideration.