Popcorn Ceiling Asbestos; Is It Considered Safe?

Popcorn Ceiling Asbestos: During 1950-1980, most builders preferred using spray-on textured ceiling to hide imperfections (if any) from the ceilings. The above trend was at a high demand when asbestos was recommended as a building material in the US.

Spray-on textured ceiling also known as "popcorn ceiling", “stucco ceiling" or “cottage-cheese ceiling” having 1-10% asbestos in them.

If you are living with a popcorn ceiling asbestos, you can go ahead and test the presence of asbestos by hiring an asbestos abatement professional.

If you go ahead with this, you will have to collect a sample of your ceiling and mail it to a lab. But if you hire a professional, it may cost you more. In case, you detect the presence of asbestos in the popcorn ceiling asbestos, then what are the necessary steps you are required to take?

Please be aware that even a small percentage of asbestos makes your popcorn ceiling dangerous. First, you need to make sure that nobody disturbs it. You also need to decide if you actually want to remove it.

It requires a lot of precaution to remove asbestos popcorn ceiling. Hence let qualified professionals do their job as they are the ones whom you trust.

Please note that a popcorn ceiling is a friable material. In other words, it is known to be a dangerous material and starts spreading harmful and dangerous by spreading asbestos dust in the environment.

After Popcorn Ceiling Asbestos is disturbed, it spreads asbestos filled dust which can become the reason for many dreaded diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. So, try to avoid getting exposed to asbestos which is a naturally occurring mineral found on earth.

 

It’s Not the Percentage, It’s the Crumbliness

In all cases, the advise happens to be the same. For example, if your ceiling has slightest of asbestos, you need to make sure that it gets removed by a qualified professional. Otherwise, it may cause trouble once it gets disturbed and starts releasing asbestos fiber in the environment.

Most experts say that even if the ceiling contains a percentage of asbestos but is not moved in any way, it will not produce any harm. But in the long run, if you decide to remove it using a professional help, it will be the safest choice.

In the long run, the crumbliness of popcorn ceiling is known to be quite different as compared to other common asbestos materials left over in older homes.

Like, you can always try and walk on vinyl asbestos floor tiles but make sure you don't smash, sand or scrape them in any way.

On the other hand, asbestos popcorn ceilings are found to be more dangerous as they start releasing toxic dust by simply brushing them.

If you have to live with popcorn ceiling asbestos, there are some tips for you:

 

·        Don't disturb the ceiling even with your nails, tape or screws

·        Don't create shelves high to make items scrape the ceiling even by accident

·        Be aware not to scrape the ceiling while moving furniture or long objects

·        Please make sure kids don't throw pillows or toys at the ceiling

·        In case, the ceiling starts to peel down because of age or dampness, it must be removed immediately

 

 

How to Encapsulate Asbestos Popcorn Ceiling

Encapsulate means to cover an asbestos material so that it doesn't release asbestos dust. Once it is done, the popcorn ceiling asbestos can be easily covered with vinyl paint or new ceiling panels.

Another way of covering popcorn ceiling is by using gypsum board ceiling panels. The above material works fine as it is lighter. You just need to screw it into the ceiling frame.

In most cases, it becomes great if you hire a professional to cover asbestos popcorn ceiling. It's because they are aware how to tape and mud the new ceiling in an easy way.

You can also spray the ceiling with special vinyl paint. Please note that ordinary house paint won't work in such cases. If you put normal paint on the ceiling, it can easily expose you instead of protecting you.      

In most cases, Spray-on vinyl paint can work but at the same time, old popcorn ceiling texture will still be visible.

If you are able to encapsulate asbestos in any way, it will be the safest option. Please note that asbestos will become a danger if you plan to undergo renovation or demolition work in the future.

In the same way, if you plan to sell your home containing asbestos, it's your responsibility to inform potential buyers about it.

 

 

How to Remove Asbestos Popcorn Ceiling

If a house has a percentage of asbestos, it is better to undergo asbestos abatement at the safest levels. But if you clean up the contamination afterwards, it will cost more. So, it's better to do this at an early stage.

In most cases, it is suggested to hire an asbestos abatement professional to do the job for you.

 

 

Precautions for Safely Removing Asbestos Popcorn Ceiling

In case, you have decided to remove popcorn ceiling asbestos, it is better to take these safety measures: 

First, remove all the furniture from your home

Turn off your home's ventilation, air conditioning and heating mainly to avoid spreading contamination

You can seal the doors and windows using plastic flaps

Keep people away from the site

Try to arrange and wear a respirator with a high efficiency particulate air filter

Wear disposable coveralls. Also, try to cover your hair and skin to keep ceiling debris off you

Try to keep the material of popcorn ceiling asbestos wet as it helps prevent dust from going into the environment

You must place asbestos containing dust in sealed and labeled plastic bags

Now, if you ignore any of the above guidelines, it may cost you dearly. It's also because insurance policies don't cover the contamination of asbestos caused due to careless renovations. 

Also Read: How Calretinin Used to Detect Mesothelioma?