Popcorn ceilingasbestos
Textured acoustic ceilings in older buildings often contained asbestos. Scraping one without testing can contaminate the whole house.
DOSH
Why not justscrape it?
Popcorn, or acoustic, ceiling texture was widely used for decades, and texture applied before the 1980s commonly contained asbestos. Scraping it creates a large amount of fine dust that settles everywhere, which is exactly how fibers get released and spread through a home.
Test first. If the ceiling contains asbestos, it should be removed under containment by a registered crew, and the space should be clearance tested before it's reoccupied.
Test
A small sample analyzed by an accredited lab tells you for certain.
Contain
Rooms sealed, HVAC isolated and negative air set up before work starts.
Remove & clear
Wet removal, proper packaging and disposal, then clearance testing.
Safe ceilingremoval
Sample
Test the ceiling texture.
Prep & contain
Seal the room and protect floors, walls and HVAC.
Remove
Wet the texture and remove it under negative air.
Package & dispose
Bag and transport to an approved facility.
Clearance
Verify the space is safe before reoccupancy.
Popcorn Ceiling AsbestosFAQ
Do all popcorn ceilings have asbestos?
No. Many installed after the 1980s don't, but you can't tell by looking. Testing is the only way to know.
Can I paint over it instead?
Encapsulating an intact ceiling can be an option in some cases, but any future work that disturbs it will still need precautions. Testing tells you what you're dealing with.
Can people stay in the house during removal?
The work area is sealed and under negative air. We'll tell you which areas should be vacated during the work.
Do you handle rentals and multifamily?
Yes. We work with landlords and property managers on occupied buildings.
Have a popcorn ceiling to deal with?
Call for a free test and quote.
Get a Free Assessment → ☎ 530-345-8562