The look of a textured or “popcorn” ceiling has fallen out of popularity and its presence can date the look of a home or office. Many people now want to remove this texture to create more modern, stylish spaces. Before starting the removal process, it is important to identify the associated risks.

What is popcorn ceiling?

Popcorn ceiling is the common name for ceilings coved with a spray on texture. The spray on texture was applied to ceilings through the middle of the 20th century. The texture was a cheap way to hide flaws in ceilings and speed up the finishing process as opposed to filling, sanding, and painting ceilings. The texture may have also added fire protection and noise dampening to ceilings. These features were made possible by the inclusion of asbestos fibers in the spray. Unfortunately, that asbestos makes removing the texture extremely dangerous.

How do I know if my popcorn ceilings are dangerous?

The use of asbestos in ceiling textures was banned in 1978 but material that was already manufactured could have still been in use and circulation for some time after that. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell if ceiling texture is asbestos containing just by looking at it. The only way to know for certain whether or not your ceiling texture has asbestos is to get it tested by an EPA accredited lab. Although homeowners in Colorado can legally collect and send in their own samples, they often do not take samples of all the suspect materials.   A certified asbestos building inspector is the surest path to making sure all suspect materials get properly sampled and tested.

Why should I hire a General Abatement Contractor to remove my popcorn ceilings?

Removal of asbestos containing ceiling texture can, if done improperly, pose a health risk not only to the remover but to any future occupants of the space. Because of the nature of asbestos, scraping, or otherwise damaging the ceilings can release dust containing asbestos fibers into the air. This dust can settle on surfaces and linger in the space. If the dust is inhaled, the fibers can cause lung damage or cancer. A General Abatement Contractor (GAC) employs labor that is specially trained in the removal of asbestos. Hiring a GAC ensures that your ceilings will be safely removed minimizing health risks.

If your property, in Colorado or Wyoming, has asbestos containing popcorn ceilings, give us a call today for a free estimate for removal.