Asbestos has been a popular construction material in the United States up to the early 1990s. Indeed, asbestos is fire-resistant, which is why it was one of the preferred components for spray-on ceilings between 1945 and 1990. Experts estimate that asbestos is still present in approximately 30 million homes across the US. However, it is important to note that the presence of asbestos on your property does not necessarily present a health risk.
Zona Restoration helps you understand how to test whether your ceiling contains asbestos safely and how to get rid of it if there is a health concern.
What is popcorn ceiling?
Popcorn ceiling was a popular spray-on texture applied to many interior ceilings between the mid-1940s and early 1990s. It had many advantages from a building perspective. The uneven popcorn texture made it easy to hide imperfections from sight. At a time of mass construction, building teams did not have time to add lengthy finishing touches. Therefore, the cottage-cheese or popcorn ceiling was the perfect solution for them. Popcorn ceiling contains asbestos as one of its components. Unfortunately, most ceilings in this design tend to have between 1% and 10% asbestos.
What are the health risks of asbestos?
If you have a popcorn-textured ceiling, chances are there is asbestos in it. However, undisturbed asbestos is not necessarily a health hazard. While many homeowners prefer to remove all materials containing asbestos to avoid risks, it is important to make a clear distinction:
- The percentage of asbestos contained in your ceiling is NOT an indication of its risk. Risks are present as long as asbestos is contained within the material.
- Undisturbed asbestos will remain safely contained within the material and will not affect your health
- Popcorn surface crumbliness is the sole risk you want to focus on. Once the surface becomes friable, the asbestos can be released into the open and has serious health consequences
Any exposure to asbestos has been linked with dangerous health conditions such as cancer:
- Mesothelioma cancer
- asbestos lung cancer
- asbestosis
Asbestos-related diseases can take several years to develop. There is no safe level of exposure once it has been disturbed. Keep in mind, you should never try to remove the popcorn ceiling by yourself.
Testing for asbestos in your ceiling
If you suspect you have asbestos in your ceiling, you want to reduce exposure as much as possible. This will mean avoiding touching, brushing, scratching the surface of the ceiling, and ensuring there is no damage. Additionally, you may want to conduct an asbestos test with a licensed professional. The test will reveal whether your ceiling contains asbestos. Once the results are out, you can begin with a professional removal plan.
Get your asbestos ceiling test and schedule a removal now
Our Zona Restoration experts are certified technicians equipped to perform safe asbestos inspections and tests at home. We are trained to handle and remove asbestos safely, ensuring your family is not exposed to the volatile dust during the process. We follow a strict four steps process to fully remove all traces of asbestos inside your home. During the removal process, we kindly ask you to evacuate the property. We will ensure post-clearance air tests are performed before giving you the green light to come back to your home.
Asbestos popcorn ceilings are friable and crumbly surfaces that could expose you to high risks. Protect your loved ones now by making an asbestos inspection appointment with our team at (480) 656-3999.