QA

Quick Answer: How To Safely Remove Popcorn Ceiling With Asbestos

You need to contain asbestos debris by constructing a plastic containment area around the ceiling areas you wish to remove. This is accomplished by covering the walls and floors within the project room(s) to ensure all debris is captured and remains on plastic sheeting during the removal process.

How long does it take to remove popcorn ceiling with asbestos?

If your ceilings contain asbestos the process will take four days instead of two.

What do I do if my popcorn ceiling has asbestos?

Keep the popcorn ceiling wet to prevent dust from contaminating the air. Place asbestos-containing waste in sealed and properly-labeled plastic bags. Call a trash-pickup or landfill service that is equipped to accept asbestos in advance to make arrangements for removal/disposal.

Do all popcorn ceilings contain asbestos?

Do All Popcorn Ceilings Have Asbestos? So, in 1977, the U.S. government banned the use of asbestos in ceilings and most ceilings installed after this date, would not contain any asbestos. So, yes, most popcorn ceilings have asbestos, especially if they were installed before 1977 or the ban.

How do you know if popcorn ceiling has asbestos?

You can test a popcorn ceiling for the presence of asbestos by carefully scraping a small sample into a plastic bag and having it tested at an EPA-accredited lab. While homeowners are allowed to remove a popcorn ceiling that contains the material, a professional asbestos remediation company should do the job.

What percentage of asbestos is in popcorn ceiling?

Popcorn ceilings generally contain between 1 and 10 percent asbestos. While 1 percent may seem insignificant, it’s important to note that any percentage of asbestos in a popcorn ceiling is cause for concern and should be addressed.

Is it worth it to remove popcorn ceiling?

It’s time consuming and annoying, so if you’re bothered enough by it you can have it removed. It’s worth remembering that removing the ceiling in itself will cause a lot more dirt and dust around your home, at least while the work is being carried out. If you’re ok with that, then removing the ceiling is a good idea.

How long after exposure to asbestos do symptoms appear?

In most asbestosis patients, symptoms develop within 20 to 30 years after being exposed to asbestos. If someone is exposed to asbestos for a long time, a decade or more, the latency period of symptom development is closer to 20 years. Learn more about asbestos diseases in our comprehensive mesothelioma guide.

Was asbestos used in popcorn ceilings in 1986?

A: Popcorn ceilings, also known as acoustical ceilings, were a fad in the early 1960s. The application of sprayed-on coatings containing asbestos was banned in 1978, but a lot of popcorn ceilings installed as late as 1986 contained asbestos in the mixture.

How can I cover my popcorn ceiling without removing it?

Popcorn ceilings should be covered with lighter materials such as paint, paneling, or planks. One option to consider is gypsum board paneling, a material that is very similar to drywall, but much lighter and easier for the ceiling to support.

Can you remove popcorn ceiling yourself?

Removing a popcorn ceiling is a fairly easy and affordable DIY project that just requires some time and muscle. Should your ceiling need more TLC than just scraping and painting, there are also options for covering up popcorn ceilings, such as wood paneling, pressed tin tiles, or new drywall.

How much exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma?

Out of all people with heavy, prolonged exposure to asbestos, 2% to 10% develop pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of mesothelioma usually do not show until 20-50 years after asbestos exposure, which is when tumors have grown and spread.

Can you drywall over asbestos popcorn ceiling?

Encapsulation means covering an asbestos material so it cannot release asbestos dust. Asbestos popcorn ceiling can be covered with new ceiling panels or vinyl paint. One way to cover popcorn ceiling is with gypsum board ceiling panels. This material is like drywall but lighter.

Can popcorn ceilings make you sick?

Can I Get Sick if I Have a Popcorn Ceiling in My Home? Many popcorn ceilings do not pose a great risk to you and your family. Even those made with asbestos won’t make you sick unless the fibers are disturbed and released into the air — during remodeling work, for example.

How do I know if its asbestos?

The most common signs of asbestos exposure include shortness of breath, cough and chest pain. Pleural plaques are a sign that a person had enough exposure to be at risk of other diseases. They may develop prior to mesothelioma or lung cancer. Watch: Learn the most common signs of asbestos exposure.

Why you shouldn’t remove popcorn ceiling?

Do well to test the ceiling for asbestos before taking up the removal project yourself. Asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer, lung disease, and scarring of the lungs when inhaled in large quantities. In all, the cons of popcorn ceilings outweigh the pros.

Will removing popcorn ceiling increase home value?

By removing popcorn ceilings, you are increasing your home value and ridding your home of the “outdated” look. One important note: If the popcorn was added before 1979, get it tested for asbestos.

What is the cheapest way to cover a popcorn ceiling?

Hide Popcorn Ceilings (5 Easy Ways To Cover Popcorn Ceilings) 1 | Plank The Ceiling. This post may contain affiliate links. 2 | Put Up Faux Tin Ceiling Tiles. 3 | Cover The Popcorn With Fabric. 4 | Install Barn Board and Faux Wood Beams. 5 | Paint A Pattern On The Ceiling. 6 Comments.