Popcorn Ceilings = Asbestos
Many homes, especially those in the 1950’s to early 1970’s, contain so called popcorn or cottage cheese ceilings. Despised as they are today, they actually had a few advantages.
The asbestos within the texture helps to retard fire.- These are acoustic ceilings; they help quiet the sounds within the room and slow the transmission of sound to other rooms.
- They cover up ceiling imperfections. It wasn't just about style. Spraying this mixture meant that builders didn’t have to hire costly drywall installers to create smooth ceilings
Why Test For Asbestos
Asbestos, a highly toxic element, was widely used in a number of materials meant for building flooring, ceiling tiles, insulation, cement, joint compound and more. It’s important to test for the presence of asbestos before initiating any building repairs or improvements on structures that were built prior to 1980. Not doing so can put you and others in the immediate vicinity at risk of inhaling airborne asbestos fiber during the repair/renovation. Asbestos has a contingent link to Mesothelioma, a type of cancer.
Though you can check for signs of asbestos on your own, testing should be done by a certified professional using special equipment. If asbestos is present in some materials then hire a contractor to repair or remove them to ensure the safety of people using the building.
Testing For Asbestos
Asbestos testing is divided into 3 parts as follows:
Part 1: Checking For Signs Of Asbestos
- Determine when the building was constructed
- See if there are signs of disturbed asbestos materials
- Decide whether to get the area tested
Part 2: Having The Area Tested
- Hire a contractor to do the testing
- Prepare the area to be tested
- Understand the testing procedure
- Wait for the results
Part 3: Dealing With Asbestos
- Have the disturbed material repaired
- Live safely with materials that contain asbestos
- Consider asbestos removal
Contact Asbestos Environmental professionals for removal / repair of Asbestos.
