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Popcorn Ceilings with or without Asbestos

I've been wondering if any agents here on AR have had popcorn ceilings experience that had been tested by a lab or home inspector for Asbestos. I understand that not all popcorn ceilings have asbestos. Evidently they were very popular back in the 60's and 70's!

Here's an article about popcorn ceilings, how to test them for asbestos, and how to remove at:

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/paintpopcornceiling

If a ceiling does contain Asbestos, removal can be very messy and a lot of work!

Steve White is the Owner/ Webmaster of SDW Realty of Cape Cod.com website and agent of Ocean Blue Realty, LLC of Falmouth. He has over 30 years of Administrative, Military, Computer and Web Experience. He has lived on Cape Cod since 1974 relocating from Medford Ma near Boston. He is a full-time realtor working with both buyers and sellers. He has earned his E-Pro Internet Professional and ABR Accredited Buyer Representative Designations. He has actively participated and blogged on Active Rain since February of 2008. He is an active member of the Cape & Islands Association of Realtors CCIAOR, National Association of Realtors NAR, and the Massachusetts Association of Realtors MAR.

Posted by Stephen D White, E-Pro, ABR Cape Cod Realtor® on 09/10/2008 02:58 PM

Comments (14)

Popcorn Ceilings in the Home Buying Channel

asbestos, ceilings, popcorn, home inspectors

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14 Comments on Popcorn Ceilings with or without Asbestos

SEP

2008

It can be a total pain even if they don't contain asbestos!

I have not seen many popcorn ceilings here in Menomonee Falls or Milwaukee, WIsconsin. But the few that I have seen usually are there to hide other things. One of my buyers went into the attic and said the wood showed signs of water damage. This roof had a lot of valleys and it appeared they did not have the metal flashing you usually see with a good roofing job. In that one house I think an inspector may have turned up more then what the buyer saw.

thanks for your comments Dennis & Galen!

Stephen, Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I would have NEVER thought of testing popcorn ceiling for asbestos. So, in answer to your question, which is probably obvious, no I haven't tested popcorn celings.

SEP

2008

Hey Stephan - I have to tell you I can't stand those ceilings! They have to be the worst look ever.

SEP

2008

Hi Stephen, I wasn't ever aware of the "Popcorn Ceilings" having asbestos. Learn something new today and I'll now be more aware of them. THANKS!!!! ;>)

SEP

2008

Hi Stephen -

I just spent 3 days removing the popcorn from my own ceiling and it is a messy job. I did have it tested at LA testing, the only lab I could find in my area. I had to mail in a sample, but it was worth knowing that I wouldn't be exposing me and my family to asbestos. I can't believe what a difference it made though. I found a tool at Home Depot that is a scraper that you can attach a bag to. It significantly cut down on the droppage of popcorn all over the floor. All in all, I'm glad I did it.

thank you Kelly for your popcorn ceilings experience. How much did you have to mail to the LA lab for testing by the way? thanks for the tip about the scraper that is attached to a disposable bag! Any idea just how old your popcorn ceiling is? were they original? installed in the 60's or 70's maybe?

Hi Stephen -

I only had to send in about 1 square inch for a sample (took it from my closet). My house was built in 1977 and these were the original ceilings. I'm in Northern Calfornia. Like I said, it was hard to find a lab that would test for asbestos but I went online and there they were. No local labs would do it. I think it cost about $65.

thank you for the info Kelly

SEP

2008

I have tested alot of popcorn ceilings and some has came back postive for asbestos and some has not,sometimes if you only take 1 sample you might miss the asbestos content cause asbestos is mixed in the material and it is very possible to get a neg.reading in one spot and postive reading in another spot on the same ceiling,I am a licensed asbestos building inspector we are required to take 3 samples of a ceiling up to 1000sq. ft.,5 samples up to 5000sq.ft.,7 samples over 5000sq.ft.

thanks for the info Robert!

OCT

Yet another material to be concerned about. Never knew about popcorn ceilings' containing asbestos. Thanks for the info. I am currently working with a buyer on a house that has vermiculite insulation...I am still looking for better info. I've had conflicting info on whether the material itself, (it's being tested right now) if it has asbestos; it will be a deal breaker. They don't want to have it in the house at all.

BUT, an Asbestos Specialist suggested that vermiculite itself is hazardous in it's dust; even if it does not contain asbestos...so now I am trying to track down more info on it. I think we are house shopping again this weekend for something else!

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