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Asbestos Ceilings
Posted on 4/29/25 at 10:48 pm
Posted on 4/29/25 at 10:48 pm
So I’m closing on a home on Friday and it has popcorn ceilings and was built in 1970. My wife brought up today that popcorn ceilings are usually made of asbestos if they’re that old and if we should be worried about that. I almost fell out of bed. I’m fully aware of asbestos and how it can be in insulation and floor tiling but I honestly had no idea about the ceilings. I know it’s supposedly safe unless you disturb it but I really don’t want to take that chance. We’ve already signed away our inspection contingency as I didn’t think asbestos was an issue this late in the 20th century.
What was even more shocking is my wife had no idea asbestos was bad at all. I feel dumb for not knowing the extents of its use but I did know that asbestos is the reason many buildings are condemned. If I have this rosebud/popcorn ceiling in my 1970 house is it 100% asbestos and am I fricked?
What was even more shocking is my wife had no idea asbestos was bad at all. I feel dumb for not knowing the extents of its use but I did know that asbestos is the reason many buildings are condemned. If I have this rosebud/popcorn ceiling in my 1970 house is it 100% asbestos and am I fricked?
4
Posted on 4/30/25 at 1:53 am to jlovel7
It might have asbestos. As long as you don't frick with it then you're good. You can have it tested and remediated (if it tests positive) for probably 5 to 10k if you're really worried about it.
Posted on 4/30/25 at 3:37 am to TheOcean
Posted on 4/30/25 at 6:46 am to TheOcean
quote:
might have asbestos. As long as you don't frick with it then you're good. You can have it tested and remediated (if it tests positive) for probably 5 to 10k if you're really worried about it.
I don’t want to buy a house that needs 10k in asbestos remediation
we also need to demo a lot of things in the ceiling that are hanging as well as add new electrical outlets. Plus we have equipment over the ceiling that could leak one day and cause issues. Not disturbing the ceiling will be an issue.
Posted on 4/30/25 at 7:40 am to jlovel7
Do any of the previous occupants have cancer caused by asbestos inhalation?
Posted on 4/30/25 at 7:53 am to jlovel7
So if it tests positive, wear a respirator while messing with it.
I get the concern, I have an illogical fear of Hantavirus and even though I’m not in a region known for it and only have rats and no mice and have only had a couple rats in the last few years, I wear a respirator when kicking up dust in the attic.
I get the concern, I have an illogical fear of Hantavirus and even though I’m not in a region known for it and only have rats and no mice and have only had a couple rats in the last few years, I wear a respirator when kicking up dust in the attic.
Posted on 4/30/25 at 1:13 pm to jlovel7
I didn't even consider it when I wet scraped ours...and I use to work for an abatement and monitoring company. Hopefully the nicotine filled the voids caused by the fibers scratching my lungs.
Hopefully the nicotine filled the voids caused by the fibers scratching my lungs.
Posted on 4/30/25 at 11:54 pm to junkfunky
I wet ours then scraped it all off. We’re all still here and to my knowledge; the previous owners didn’t have cancer (they were old too). I like my odds.
Posted on 5/1/25 at 6:46 am to jlovel7
You have 3 options for dealing with a popcorn ceiling.
1. do nothing
2. remove and refinish the ceiling
3. cover with a new ceiling
If it tests positive for asbestos and you want it removed, a licensed abatement company shall be the one to do it. Improper disposal of asbestos is a situation that you do not want to get involved with.
Good luck
Posted on 5/1/25 at 10:50 am to Dallaswho
quote:
So if it tests positive, wear a respirator while messing with it.
If it tests positive then you need a PAPR and a tyvek suit to mess with it, and the appropriate blessing of your local government to handle the disposal of hazardous waste. Basically it doesn't matter how good of a DIY'er you are, hire a professional to remove it.
Posted on 5/1/25 at 12:27 pm to Clames
quote:
If it tests positive then you need a PAPR and a tyvek suit to mess with it, and the appropriate blessing of your local government to handle the disposal of hazardous waste. Basically it doesn't matter how good of a DIY'er you are, hire a professional to remove it.
A respirator is fine for changing a light fixture, vent, or smoke alarm as OP alluded to. Nobody suggested he remove it himself.
Posted on 5/3/25 at 9:12 am to Clames
Negative. Don’t believe the HGTV house flipper shows. Your house is not regulated. AHERA is for schools and state buildings. Also regulated are commercial buildings or residential greater than a 4-plex, or demolition/renovation “Projects” (multiple buildings with the same funding source….usually federally funded).
Test if you want piece of mind, but as others have said, wear a respirator/wet/scrape or remove/throw in trash or bring to landfill. Doesn’t have to be declared ACM.
Test if you want piece of mind, but as others have said, wear a respirator/wet/scrape or remove/throw in trash or bring to landfill. Doesn’t have to be declared ACM.
Posted on 5/3/25 at 9:33 am to HES
above is correct as to what the “law” is. In the real world, the popcorn texture removal process is messy and invasive, even more so if you have to wear PPE while doing it
Easy solution…cover it up. 1/4” gyp is quick and painless and the painters will spend less time finishing the new rock than they would have spent removing the popcorn
I covered mine up with 1x6 primed boards, it looks great
Easy solution…cover it up. 1/4” gyp is quick and painless and the painters will spend less time finishing the new rock than they would have spent removing the popcorn
I covered mine up with 1x6 primed boards, it looks great
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