Replacing Contaminated Popcorn Ceilings

Submitted By: E. Johnston
If your home was remodeled or built during the popcorn ceiling trend, which was between the 1950's and the 1980's, your ceiling may contain the deadly fiber, asbestos. Many homeowners have the original popcorn ceilings that were installed in their homes and have no idea that it contains asbestos.

In the 1950's, asbestos was found to contain some very useful properties, when the fibers were woven into materials, the materials would not burn. This is very important because the asbestos containing material could be used to help prevent homes from burning completely. The problem at the time was that asbestos hazards, such as various kinds of cancers and respiratory diseases were not understood.

So, What Do You Do With a Popcorn Ceiling Made with Asbestos?

The only way to get rid of the asbestos is to remove the popcorn ceiling, but this is easier said than done. Asbestos, when it is not disturbed, may not cause harm to the homeowners, but if your roof begins leaking or you begin removal of the popcorn ceiling, the asbestos fibers can disperse and are toxic when inhaled.

The first thing you need to do is have your popcorn ceiling tested for the presence of asbestos. You may be lucky, and your ceiling may be one of the few that were made without the use of asbestos. In this case, you may be able to leave it or replace it with no worry of hazardous toxins being released in your home.

If your popcorn ceiling tests positive for the presence of asbestos, having it replaced may be your best option. This is especially true if the ceiling that was originally installed is very old, such as those installed in the 1950's.
If, on the other hand, the popcorn ceiling is in good shape, you could have other options other than hiring someone to come in and remove it completely. If your popcorn ceiling was painted, then you will definitely need a professional because the ceiling cannot absorb water, which helps bind the asbestos to make it less hazardous when it is removed. Before making any decision however, check with a professional about the potential hazards of asbestos and the risks associated with both leaving and removing it.

Check with your state on the laws about removing asbestos from your home, as many states require you to hire a professional in order to do the work. You can also opt to cover the popcorn ceiling with tiles or another form of ceiling, which may be safer in the long run than disturbing the asbestos and releasing the fumes into your home.

Final Thoughts
Removing, covering or changing an asbestos popcorn ceiling is no small undertaking. You need to check with your state on the laws before doing so. If a professional informs you that the best thing to do is to cover it, rather than removal, this may be a better option for you than tearing out the entire popcorn ceiling since it will take many precautions to protect everyone involved in the process.

Find out your options before you begin any planning to remove your ceiling.