Popcorn asbestos ceiling was quite popular from the 1950s to the 1980s. Some of them actually did not contain asbestos, but many did. It seems unusual that this type of drop ceiling was ever popular, but it was easy to apply, dampened noise well, and hid imperfections below.
Popcorn ceilings had a few drawbacks: They were difficult to clean, and now they pose health risks. Almost every material used in construction has paint, insulation, tiles, roofing, and cement, and asbestos seems to be ever-present, too.
If your home’s ceiling is “popcorn” and it was painted before the mid-1980s, you’re probably viewing asbestos as a hazard. If you want to get rid of your popcorn ceiling and paint the resulting ceiling, you need to understand the risks involved.
When you scrape the paint off the popcorn, the asbestos in the paint will become airborne. If you breathe in those fibers, they can cause cancer, especially if you’re not ventilating the area. Even a few days of inhalation of asbestos roofing fibers can cause very serious health problems.
The harmful effects caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers will generally develop within 15 to 40 years after the first inhalation. The most common asbestos-related diseases are mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. All of these health problems are usually due to breathing in asbestos over a long period of time. But cases have also been reported that caused short-term exposure.
If you don’t want to hire an outside contractor to remove your asbestos roof, you should have it tested to make sure the levels aren’t dangerous if you do the work yourself. If you DO have asbestos test results, you can put a coat of paint OVER the tile to make sure it doesn’t affect you or your family. If you want asbestos removed, do yourself and your health a favor and hire professionals to do it. They have the proper equipment to remove cancer-causing materials and protect themselves while doing it.
Check the building codes in your area if you only intend to spray or paint your asbestos roof. In many areas, it is illegal to cover paint with asbestos because this could release some of the fibers into the home.
Hiring a specialist asbestos company to remove your roof will be expensive, but most remodelers are realistic and aware of the dangers of trying to do it yourself. You cannot put a price on your family’s health. You shouldn’t try either. Get it right and go from there.
