Popcorn Ceiling Removal and Asbestos: What You Need to Know

It wasn’t long ago that popcorn ceilings were all the rage. In fact, throughout the second half of the 20th century, they were celebrated for their ability to dampen sound and their unique, textured look. Unfortunately, many of these popcorn ceilings, specifically those that were installed prior to the 1980s, contain asbestos. Because of the health risks associated with this compound, it is important to understand the issues that could come along with popcorn ceiling removal and why it’s always best to leave this task to an experienced team of professionals.

At The Patch Boys, we have the tools and expertise needed to conduct safe popcorn ceiling removal. Learn more about this process and the importance of relying on our professional services below.

Why Your Popcorn Ceiling May Contain Asbestos

For decades, asbestos was thought to provide countless benefits for residential ceilings. For example, this material is fire-resistant while having insulating properties. Asbestos also reinforced the structural integrity of ceilings, making them more resilient. Plus, as an inexpensive material, it was a cost-effective choice for many builders working from the 1940s to the 1970s. Thanks to its acoustic properties, which effectively reduce noise travel, it was particularly popular for use in residential settings.

Eventually, it was discovered that breathing in asbestos fibers could lead to the development of serious, and even fatal, respiratory diseases. As a result, the U.S. began to ban most products containing asbestos starting in the late 1970s. Nonetheless, exposure to asbestos is still an issue in older homes or homes in which existing materials were used even after the ban was put into place.

How to Safely Go About Popcorn Ceiling Removal

The only way to determine whether your popcorn ceiling contains asbestos is to have a sample studied at a laboratory. Since even the process of acquiring a sample and sending it off to be tested can be dangerous, be sure to call on professionals to conduct this initial step.

If you find out that your ceiling does indeed contain asbestos, there are a few things to keep in mind. One is that you should leave your ceiling undisturbed until an experienced team can come by to remove it. This means you should avoid touching it, drilling into it, or scraping at it.

Asbestos is only hazardous when its tiny fibers are airborne, meaning there’s no reason to panic if your test comes back positive. However, you will want to take the next steps to get it safely removed as soon as possible to limit the potential for any unintentional disturbance to your ceiling that could release the asbestos fibers.

At The Patch Boys, our team can take care of popcorn ceiling removal safely and efficiently. If you have any doubt as to whether your ceiling contains asbestos, we can first have it tested and then take all the necessary steps to remove it while keeping your family and your home protected. As asbestos removal is strictly regulated and improper disposal of asbestos-containing materials can result in environmental contamination, it’s never worth the risk to attempt popcorn ceiling removal on your own.

Learn more about our popcorn ceiling removal services today! Simply call The Patch Boys to request a quote.