I have an acoustic / popcorn ceiling installed in 1980. Is it safe to remove this without Asbestos? Thanks!?

Answer 1

Make sure that you know WHEN the coating was applied ... if it was 1980 as you stated, you are fine.

This ceiling has NO Abestos in it ... so it is definitely safe for a homeowner to remove themselves (and yes, I am doing just that -- I truly HATE Popcorn coating on the ceilings).

The Removal can either be easy or complicated ... but a Lot of it involves CAREFUL Scraping of the coating off the ceiling and plenty of time on a ladder.

MY Popcorn coated ceiling ... well, it NEVER was painted nor primed .. just the popcorn coating applied over the panels and the taping ... so the way to remove it was as follows:

1. I filled an EMPTY Spray bottle (from window cleaner) with Tap Water. With the Wide Blade Scraper I purchased (I recommend a minimum of 6" blade -- in fact, purchase the wallpaper scrapers) I got up in the ladder, and sprayed the ceiling with the water (squirting about a 2*2 block at a time -- about reaching distance). When this coating is wet, it is more apt to come off cleanly. I picked up a roller paint tray, held it in my weaker hand, and scraped with the strong hand, with the paint tray underneath.

The beauty of this method is that MOST of the coating came off in clumps, falling directly into the tray that I held under where I was scraping, and NOT in dust (IF I never spritzed the surface in the first place). For me, with my asthma, this was a GREAT way to counteract the dusting (if you scrape it dry) and NOT have problems breathing.

YOU need to take a break every 15 mins or so .. the Tray that is catching the mess gets VERY HEAVY very fast ... and I mean it. I dumped it into a lined trash can, and every about 3 to 4 trays that I dumped, I bound that bag and put it outside in my Big Garbage Bin.

AFTER you remove the coating, then you will need to FIRST sand the surface as smooth as possible .. and look for imperfections (like where the contractor sloppily painted a bit over the joint -- that is much harder to scrape), then you need to start feather-coating the dings and dents where you had to scrape a bit harder (there are always imperfections ... just have to do this). Between the Feather Coats of the patching plaster, sand once again. Keep doing these Feather Coats until to your naked eye it looks seamless and flat.

AFTER that .. I used a very light paint (Eggshell/Satin paint is what I use) and paint roller on an extension pole (semi-smooth) in order to prime the surface. Then 2 additional coats after the prime coat (and I always paint my ceilings a lighter color) and you are finished.


2. IF the popcorn ceiling was painted over, the scraping must also be done .. and it is a MUCH Bigger headache. You can try the spritzing, and yes, it will help with the intial scraping, but BECAUSE someone made this MISTAKE ... it is much, much more work (and much dustier). You will also have (more than likely) more patching and feathering/sanding to do to make the ceiling flat.

Answer 2

Popcorn Ceiling Asbestos Dates

Answer 3

The EPA states that Asbestos was banned from acoustic material in 1977, but suggests leaving suspicious material alone if it is undamaged. You can have it tested to be sure, if really want to do the project like I did. There are kits you can purchase online: http://www.testcountry.com/index.asp?action=10&product=1205
There are also Asbestos professionals that can do it for you. (That is the recommended method.)

If you have Asbestos, you can cover it with drywall and start over.
If you are Asbestos-free:
Be aware of the dust you will create! Wear a mask and protective glasses. There are hand-held scrapers made just for the job that work well without wetting down the surface. DO NOT ADD WATER. Adding water makes the compound sticky and hard to clean up later (we tried it both ways). I was quite surprised at how easily the material comes off using the scraper with just a little practice (Our entry ceiling took only 30 minutes). Work in small sections. Use painters' plastic or tarps that can be emptied or thrown away when finished. Put away all wall hangings, cover unmovable furniture, close interior doors, and open windows. Be prepared to vacuum - do not sweep - when you are finished. Sweeping stirs up the dust. Then you can re-mud or rent a texturing gun to texture the ceiling before priming and painting. Good luck! Either way, it's the best remodeling project you'll ever do. Our rooms look 6" taller now :-)

For more EPA information on Asbestos:
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/ashome.html

Answer 4

We did five rooms in June (temperature outside 110, inside 96)! Took a few days, but 3 rooms came off very easy. Other two took some elbow grease. We put down a tarp on the floor to catch all of the mess, and simply folded it up and threw it away when each area was done. Wear a mask, as my husband didn't and only later did he have a cough for a couple of days. He hated a mask, but the cough could have become a worse ailment; he was lucky. Good luck. It is worth it, as the smooth ceilings look great. Popcorn. As someone said, it is only for the movies and a snack at home.

Answer 5

Yes Hi,
You are on the right track as it is 1977 and back that asbestos was used.you can put plastic up to ceilings on walls (1 Mil.thickness)
You should of course were a mask then take a Hudson sprayer and fill with a solution of TSP to soften the water then spray on section at a time( read directions). it will make it less dusty and easier to remove with flat tools.
Be care full to not gouge ceiling.You also probably will have to float tape joints and but joints.

Answer 6

If you are not sure whether your ceiling contains asbestos DO NOT GO NEAR IT. Asbestos is a very dangerous material and can permanently harm you. Instead call your local environmental control companies (these can be found in Yahoo's yellow pages) and have someone come out and test your ceiling for asbestos.

Another option would be to contact your local health department and have them guide you through your next step. I believe they can actually come out as well and also test your ceiling.

You'll never want to go anywhere near any asbestos containing materials. Once you inhale asbestos and it can lead to pulmonary problems including the dreaded mesothelioma.

Answer 7

It's not asbestos because it was installed after the laws banning the materials. You've recieved some excellent advice about removing it properly. Sometimes it takes quite a bit of water to get it to soften up and come off nicely.

It is very messy, lay plastic over your floor and furniture. And MOST importantly wear a mask because you don't want the particles in your lungs regardless. Doesn't matter if asbestos isn't present those particles are not good for your lungs.

Answer 8

Go to Home Depot or any harware store, they sell asbestos testers for like 10 bucks. It worth the trip to be safe..a small investment for your health is a good idea. Years ago I moved into an old apartment and was concerned because I had a baby. My husband made a trip to home depot and we tested the paint. I can't remember too well but I know it's like a liquid you brush onto the surface and if it changes color that means it has asbestos..

Answer 9

Yes, it can be safely removed. However, be prepared for a messy, grueling, and arduous process.

TIP:
If the ceiling is stable and the only reason for removing the "popcorn" effect is to get a smooth surface, consider leaving the existing ceiling intact and covering it with 1/2" drywall and securing it with 1-3/4" to 1-1/2" drywall screws.

Before covering the existing ceiling with the new drywall, roll on a coat of "WELD-BOND."

Answer 10

Asbestos was banned in the 70's, therefore the ceiling installed in the 80's wouldn't have been out of asbestos.