We recently sent a sample of our popcorn ceiling to a laboratory and learned that we have a 3% asbestos level in the popcorn. How do we locate someone to remove this asbestos?

Just because asbestos is present in your popcorn ceilings, it doesn't mean you have to have it removed. Intact and undisturbed, asbestos containing materials (ACMs) such as your popcorn ceiling don't pose a health risk. Asbestos only becomes a problem when the material containing asbestos is damaged, disturbed, or deteriorated and its fibers become airborne.

You may want to consider less rigorous alternatives to removal because removal is often not the best course of action to reduce asbestos exposure. However, it does offer other benefits. Asbestos removal will allow you to creatively finish the ceiling without the worry of disturbing asbestos fibers, and any future work can then be done without worrying about asbestos. Additionally, proper removal of the asbestos ceiling will enhance the value of your home.

If you are interested in pursuing the idea of removing a popcorn ceiling containing asbestos, I recommend that you read all the Q&As here carefully, check out all the links to read what others have to offer, and consult your local/regional/state air quality authorities about the applicable regulations regarding asbestos removal.

You will also want to visit the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to see what they have to offer on the subject of asbestos by using their "Search" box located at the top of their site's page.

To locate a certified asbestos contractor, turn to your yellow pages under the heading "Asbestos Abatement." Because asbestos abatement has very stringent requirements, I applaud your plan to turn it over to the pros.

As you search for a contractor, consider purchasing The Helping Hands Guide to Hiring a Remodeling Contractor, the most complete and easy-to-understand book of its kind on the market today. This book will walk you through the difficult and intimidating process of hiring a contractor and offers practical advice that could save you money. To purchase The Helping Hands Guide to Hiring a Remodeling Contractor, click here!

Additionally, check out The Contractors Helping Hands Packet of business forms. Each packet contains forms to help you communicate clearly with your contractor, monitor job progress, and watch the budget while protecting your legal rights. To learn more about The Contractors Helping Hands Packet of business forms, click here!

Finally, to get the whole picture, I recommend that you purchase my informative article, Asbestos In Popcorn Ceilings, which describes how to determine if asbestos is present and the steps a professional takes to decide if removal is the correct course of action. These same steps apply to homeowners facing the same decisions.

As an added bonus, Patching a Popcorn Ceiling has been added to Asbestos In Popcorn Ceilings to help those who need to make repairs to their ceilings. The process is about the same whether the ceiling contains asbestos or not; however, for your own peace of mind, you still need to determine if your ceiling contains asbestos, and the article describes procedures to follow to safely take a sample for testing.

Don't forget—before starting this project get your informative 10-page PDF article titled Asbestos In Popcorn Ceilings and Patching a Popcorn Ceiling. To order your downloadable .pdf printable copy, click here or click the purchase button to the left!

[ Back to Top ]

C.R.S., Inc. · Spokane, Washington · USA