Should I Test My Popcorn Ceiling for Asbestos?

If you’ve ever stepped foot in a house built before the 1990s, you know exactly what popcorn ceilings are. If you’ve never seen them, consider yourself lucky. While the textured material was once a popular interior design trend, it has become more of a nuisance to homeowners these days. Unfortunately, it’s for more than just superficial reasons.

Prior to its ban in the late 1970s, asbestos was commonly used to manufacture popcorn ceilings. Even popcorn ceilings installed after the ban aren’t entirely in the clear. Suppliers were legally allowed to sell any existing inventory, even if it contained asbestos. As a result, several homes built or remodeled in the 1980s also contain asbestos in their ceilings.

If you are concerned that the popcorn ceilings in your home may have asbestos, it’s essential that you get them tested. Keep reading to learn more about whether you should test and how you can do so.

How Dangerous Are Asbestos-Containing Popcorn Ceilings?

It’s important to know that asbestos was not a primary ingredient in popcorn ceilings. In fact, it was found that most popcorn ceilings had ten percent or less. While this might have you breathing a sigh of relief, it shouldn’t be enough to dismiss all of your concerns. Even one percent of asbestos can pose health risks.

The good news is that asbestos isn’t dangerous when it’s left intact and undisturbed. The issues occur when you breathe in the dust. Even a minimal amount of dust can lead to:

• Chronic Cough
• Shortness of Breath
• Mesothelioma
• Lung Cancer
• Asbestosis

Since popcorn ceilings are concerned highly friable, they are more prone to crumbling and releasing this toxic dust into the air. Therefore, you should use caution and avoid putting screws or nails in your ceiling. It would be best if you also refrain from scraping the ceiling with any furniture, and children should not throw any pillows or toys at it. 

Identifying Asbestos in Your Ceiling

It’s nearly impossible to identify asbestos in popcorn ceilings without testing. You certainly can’t just look at it and tell. However, if you know for certain that the ceiling was installed before the 1990s, there’s a good chance that it contains asbestos. 

If this is the case, it is important that you contact an asbestos removal professional. They can send an expert to your home to safely test for the contaminant.

How to Test Your Popcorn Ceilings for Asbestos

The asbestos testing process is easy when you hire a professional. They simply come to your home to collect a sample. The professionals typically choose to take a few samples from at least two different sections of your ceiling for more thorough testing. The collections are then sent off to a lab, and the results will be provided as soon as possible. Your report should include the following information:

• The Location 
• Amount of Damage
• Type of Asbestos
• Percentage of Contamination

You might be wondering about the risk of testing. Is it safe to scrape the popcorn ceiling to collect samples?

Asbestos professionals understand the importance of careful testing. They take the necessary precautions to minimize any dust and disturbance when collecting samples. You can also rest assured that they have done everything they can to keep your family safe.

Test Your Popcorn Ceilings for Asbestos ASAP

If you are concerned that your popcorn ceilings may contain asbestos, it’s crucial that you act fast. You should contact ABC Environmental Contracting Services right away to schedule your asbestos test. Their St Louis Missouri damage restoration company can be reached by phone at (314) 668-1509 or through their convenient online form.