Asbestos, also known as “cottage-cheese ceilings” or “stucco ceilings,” “popcorn ceilings” are everywhere. They were quite popular in most homes and buildings built between 1950 and 1990. It was primarily used to hide imperfections. As outdated and ugly we think it is now, it can actually be quite harmful. Until the mid-1970s, building materials often included asbestos. Spray-on textured ceilings were typically between 1 and 10% asbestos. Most people believe asbestos can only be present in buildings built before 1970, however, after the ban against asbestos in the late 1970s from being manufactured, suppliers still had lots of product left on the shelves until the 1990s. Asbestos is one of the only household materials that are under extremely strict regulations and laws. This is primarily because when asbestos starts to degrade or corrode, the substance releases harmful dust particles in the air. After the dust particles become airborne, it can easily be inhaled deep down into the lungs where it will stay.
Asbestos is a very well known carcinogen and is a major cause of lung cancer. You should never tamper with, handle or disturb asbestos in any way.
How do I test to see if my ceilings contain asbestos?
To find out if your old popcorn ceiling contains asbestos, contact us at Complete Property Restoration. We’ll test your ceilings and other materials in your home to identify if asbestos is present in your home.
In-home test kits are available however can be potentially harmful is any asbestos is disturbed during the testing process. If you buy a test kit, you will have to collect a sample of the ceiling and mail it to a lab. Disturbing any asbestos subjects you to potential harm if inhaled.
Crumble crumble, toil and trouble
Whether your popcorn ceiling is 1% asbestos or 10% asbestos, the advice is still the same, get rid of it. The ceiling will not endanger your health as long as it remains completely undisturbed or properly encapsulated. But with renovations, family life and that accidental bump you made on the ceiling, the best option is to remove the popcorn ceiling completely. The crumbliness of popcorn ceiling puts it in a different class than other common asbestos materials leftover in old homes. Duct wrapping, asbestos tile, plaster and other forms of building materials that include asbestos can go merely undisturbed as long as you don’t crack or break it. Merely brushing asbestos popcorn ceiling with your hand releases toxic dust. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure.
My ceilings contain asbestos, now what?
Any percentage of asbestos makes popcorn ceiling dangerous. Make sure nothing disturbs it. Your first decision you have to make is whether or not to encapsulate the asbestos or remove it entirely. Removing asbestos popcorn ceiling requires many precautions and should be left to the professionals. Removal can be quite pricey, however, it is the only way to ensure the safety of your family. At Complete Property Restoration, we are here to help you keep your costs low while keeping value and safety high! Removal costs can vary depending on the level of risk. You can discover an easy and proven way to remove asbestos and help guarantee your future health and happiness. Call Complete Property Restoration – you’ll love the results!
Removal isn’t in the cards right now, what else can I do?
If removal isn’t available to you right now, we have a different way to protect you against harmful asbestos. Encapsulation is the covering of asbestos material so it cannot release asbestos dust. Asbestos popcorn ceiling can be covered with new ceiling panels or vinyl paint. The most important part of protecting against asbestos is hiring a professional. We know the ins and outs of treating asbestos and how to properly dispose of the materials. Encapsulating asbestos is a safe solution, but if you do renovation or demolition work in the future, the asbestos will become angered and disturbed then may cause harm. If you’re thinking about selling your home anytime soon, you will have to inform potential buyers of the asbestos you found. This may affect your selling price. Again, we recommend complete removal of the asbestos to keep your home safe and to increase its value.
Complete Property Restoration will make sure to create a safe place for you and your family. We are certified, insured and understand the issues and concerns your family has when dealing with asbestos. Contact us to start testing for asbestos in your home.