Popcorn ceilings also referred to stucco or cottage cheese ceilings are found commonly in hallways, basements, bedrooms or in the entire house. Between 1930- 1990 they were builders preferred ways to treat the ceilings because they were not only cheap but could easily hide the surface imperfections. They were also great techniques to soundproof and fireproof rooms. Unfortunately, these ideal qualities were due to asbestos usage!
So in the event you just bought an old house or you want to upgrade your old house with a popcorn ceiling, you're likely hoping to get rid of the textured ceiling. Although the undisturbed asbestos material is safe to live with, if the coating is popping loose or being scraped off from the ceiling, there is a health hazard risk to the householders and repair workers. But how can you tell if asbestos exists in the ceiling?
Popcorn ceilings are easy to spot for their bumpy texture and uneven surface.
If the ceiling contains popcorn tiles, you can look for the tile number and find the constructor company and inquire information for the material used in the tiles. However this is not the case in most popcorn ceiling constructions. Most of these ceilings are made by spray-on coating. And therefore there is no way to find out if asbestos exists in them without an official testing!
If you suspect asbestos presents in the ceiling, you should contact a qualified asbestos professional to collect samples. These samples then will be sent off to a special lab licensed to test for asbestos. If it is confirmed that asbestos exists in your popcorn ceiling, the same qualified company or another will remove the ceiling safely.
For more information or staring on the project, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will inform you and help you through the whole process of safely testing and removing your popcorn ceiling!