Can You Paint Over a Popcorn Ceiling With Asbestos? The short answer is no, it is not safe to paint over a popcorn ceiling with asbestos.
Paneling. This is more of the traditional way to cover up a ceiling, especially one that contains asbestos and/or even a popcorn ceiling. Such panels can either be planks or beadboard. Neither is any better or worse than the other, it's just simply down to personal preference.
At that point, it becomes extremely dangerous, putting anyone who breathes in or swallows asbestos fibers at risk for deadly diseases such as mesothelioma. If the popcorn ceilings in your home are in good shape, they're likely safe.
Visual Cues to Look Out For
You may also be able to tell whether your popcorn ceiling contains asbestos simply by looking at it. If the material appears glossy or shiny, has a fibrous texture, and is yellowish-brown in color, chances are you have an Asbestos Containing Material (ACM).
In the majority of homes, yes. Popcorn ceilings are easy to notice, and make homes look and feel dated. Removing them is a quick fix, but it's recommended to leave the work to a pro to ensure there's no asbestos contamination in the home.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal Costs (Hire A Pro)
No question, the intense amount of labor required will make up the majority of the cost you'll pay. If asbestos is present, budget for a range of $50 to $150 per square foot for a certified contractor to properly remove it.
One of the most worrying issues with asbestos is that in the event that it does get disturbed, it can be easily released into the air, and remain there for some time. It is thought that disturbed asbestos can stay airborne for as long as 48 to 72 hours before settling.
If the test shows the presence of asbestos, be very careful as you cover the ceiling with insulation panels, drywall, or another surface.
It can take from 10 to 40 years or more for symptoms of an asbestos-related condition to appear (2). There is some evidence that family members of workers heavily exposed to asbestos face an increased risk of developing mesothelioma (12).
Popcorn ceilings installed from 1945 until the early 1990s commonly contained asbestos. It was a popular spray-on ceiling material and contained 1% – 10% asbestos. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned asbestos in spray-on ceiling materials in 1973.
If your popcorn ceiling needs a refresh, one of the easiest things you can do is give it a fresh coat of paint. Learning how to paint a popcorn ceiling is simple, especially compared to covering your ceiling or removing the texture completely.
Can You Paint Over a Popcorn Ceiling With Asbestos? The short answer is no, it is not safe to paint over a popcorn ceiling with asbestos.
So technically, you can “paint” over asbestos paint, textured ceiling, and siding, as long as you do it with a compound that satisfies legal encapsulation criteria. The other options are to build a structure that completely covers the dangerous asbestos or completely remove it from the structure or material.
One-time exposure to asbestos can cause diseases, including mesothelioma cancer. Researchers have found repeated exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing asbestos-related cancers. The risk to individuals who have a one-time exposure to asbestos is generally lower compared to long-term or repeated exposure.
Your work history, job site records and witness statements come next. Documentation may include your doctor's statement. It must link your asbestos exposure to your diagnosis and should include blood tests and imaging scans.
Homes built before the 1980s likely have asbestos in them. For instance, if these homes have popcorn ceilings or vinyl flooring, they may contain asbestos. A simple rule is the newer a home is, the less likely it has asbestos materials. Homes built before the 1980s are likely to contain the mineral somewhere.
If untouched, these ceilings are generally safe. But over time, the material may begin to deteriorate. If this happens or it becomes disturbed, it could cause airborne asbestos to drop into living spaces. Use of asbestos in textured ceiling materials was at its peak from around 1945 through 1980.
The best way to determine if asbestos is present is to have your ceiling material tested by an accredited lab. You can have an expert come and collect your sample for you or you can collect it yourself and send it to the lab for testing.
Removing a popcorn ceiling is a messy, time-consuming job. Fortunately, in most cases, it's not necessary because you can easily cover up that unsightly texture with ceiling panels or planks. Most options easily install directly over your existing popcorn ceiling using the Easy Up track and clip installation system.
If you think there may be asbestos in your home, don't panic. Asbestos-containing materials that aren't damaged or disturbed are not likely to pose a health risk. Usually the best thing is to leave asbestos-containing material alone if it is in good condition.
N95 masks do NOT protect you against chemical vapors, gases, carbon monoxide, gasoline, asbestos, lead or low oxygen environments.
Yes! Only HEPA-certified air purifiers will effectively capture particles down to the size of asbestos fibres. Keep in mind that air purifiers with 'HEPA-type' filters are not guaranteed to remove particles of this size.