FAQ: When was asbestos used in popcorn ceilings?

How can I find out if my popcorn ceiling has asbestos?

Testing for Asbestos

1. Fill a spray bottle with water mixed with a few drops of liquid detergent.
2. Use a putty knife to cut out a sample.
3. Seal it in an airtight container or plastic bag.
4. Take the sample to an asbestos testing lab.

Would a house built in 1979 have asbestos?

might be your home. Many homes built before 1980 contain asbestos in old floor tiles, ceiling tiles, roof shingles and flashing, siding, insulation (around boilers, ducts, pipes, sheeting, fireplaces), pipe cement, and joint compound used on seams between pieces of sheetrock.

Was asbestos used in popcorn ceilings in 1973?

Unfortunately, some of this misinformation has been spread by well meaning contractors. So here are the facts: In 1973, a number of asbestos building materials (such as air duct insulation) were prohibited, but ceiling texture was not on that list. It wasn’t until 1978 that asbestos ceilings began to be phased out.

How do you get rid of popcorn ceilings?

Spray the Ceiling With Water Before Carefully Scraping Away the Popcorn Texture. Fact: A wet scrape is easier than a dry scrape. Use a garden sprayer to wet a four-by-four-foot area of the ceiling. “You will want to wet down and spray the ceiling with water to make the removal of the popcorn easier,” he says.

How do you clean dust off a popcorn ceiling?

Put the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner and gently run it over the ceiling. This will remove dirt and cobwebs. You can also use a feather duster to clean the ceiling, but it your ceiling is very dirty, the vacuum is the better choice. Cooking grease and cigarette smoke can stain popcorn ceilings.

Will a house built in 1995 have asbestos?

Properties built since the mid-1980s are very unlikely to contain asbestos in the fabric of the building. Properties built after 1990 are extremely unlikely to contain asbestos anywhere in the building. Asbestos cement has been widely used as a cladding material and can still be found in garages and sheds.

Was asbestos used in popcorn ceilings in 1975?

Asbestos was used in spray applied textured ceilings from 1945 to at least 1980.

Do home inspections check for asbestos?

A. As a general rule, home inspectors do not include asbestos information in their reports, and most inspection contracts disclaim responsibility for environmental hazards of any kind.

What are the first signs of asbestos poisoning?

Asbestosis signs and symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath.
• A persistent, dry cough.
• Loss of appetite with weight loss.
• Fingertips and toes that appear wider and rounder than normal (clubbing)
• Chest tightness or pain.

Does removing popcorn ceiling increase home value?

By removing popcorn ceilings, you are increasing your home value and ridding your home of the “outdated” look. Spray the ceiling with water (garden sprayer works best), and let it sit for 15 minutes. Scrap the ceiling with a ceiling scraper or putty knife· Using long, even strokes, it should scrape right off!

Is popcorn ceiling toxic?

Any percentage of asbestos makes popcorn ceiling dangerous. Popcorn ceiling is a friable material — meaning it is very easy to damage. Friable asbestos materials release toxic dust at the slightest disturbance. Inhaling asbestos dust is what can lead to serious diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Can you paint over popcorn ceilings?

Can You Paint Popcorn Ceilings? Painting popcorn ceiling texture is a much cheaper and easier alternative to removal. Textured ceilings can be painted using a brush and a thick roller or with an airless sprayer, but using a sprayer is by far the easiest and most efficient way to get the job done fast.

How do you smooth popcorn ceilings?

When scraping popcorn ceilings, you’ll want to use a 4-inch utility knife or a drywall knife to chip away at the texture and create a smooth surface. You’ll probably need to skim it with a thin layer of joint compound to smooth out imperfections, then sand it smooth before repainting.

Can you cover popcorn ceiling?

Fortunately, in most cases, it’s not necessary because you can easily cover up that unsightly texture with ceiling panels or planks. Most options easily install directly over your existing popcorn ceiling using the Easy Up track and clip installation system.