Asbestos in 'popcorn' ceiling texture

[1100011CS]

We have decided not to build and have made an offer(and been accepted) on a house. It has popcorn ceiling texture with sparkles in it (gotta love the 70s). While researching the best way to remove/cover up the sparkles we learned that asbestos was commonly used in popcorn ceiling texture prior to it being banned in 1978 (or 77?). This house was build in 1976. So my question is: how likely is it that the texture in this house contains asbestos? I've read everything I can find on the interwebs and it sounds like we should get it tested and professionally removed but a) we only have this week to get it tested and can't find anyone to do it that fast b) nobody in Marshalltown has even heard of asbestos in ceiling texture. None of the realtors have ever had it brought up before (which I find odd if not downright lying). Any info or personal experience would be helpful.

 

[weR138]

It's very likely to have asbestos. But I'm dubious about asbestos. It's dangerous with prolonged exposure (think guys who made it or installed it every day). If it were me I'd have no reservations removing it myself (wearing a respirator, of course).

 

[SCyclone]

The only real way to tell if your ceilings contain asbestos is to either A) Remove some yourself and have it tested (there are undoubtedly places in Des Moines that do this) or B) Hire a professional asbestos removal company to test it.

The amount of asbestos in this product is likely only 6 or 7%. You could remove it yourself, as it will probably scrape off very easily with a putty knife, but it must be put into special disposal bags and taken to a specific location. Not fun.

You really have to decide if you want to chance it or not. I personally don't know the odds, although this isn't a topic of major discussion among builders and remodelers in our area. The danger in asbestos is of course inhaling the fibers, but I think the potential danger in many cases might be a bit overblown.

 

[Acylum]

It's very likely to have asbestos. But I'm dubious about asbestos. It's dangerous with prolonged exposure (think guys who made it or installed it every day). If it were me I'd have no reservations removing it myself (wearing a respirator, of course).

And you usually wet it down by spraying before scraping it off so very little becomes airborne anyway. But I'd still wear a fairly high quality (not cheap) respirator.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Yeah, Iowa Environmental Services in Urbandale can check that for you. Test is fairly cheap and quick.

 

[1100011CS]

Yeah, Iowa Environmental Services in Urbandale can check that for you. Test is fairly cheap and quick.

Actually, we tried calling them and left a message but they never returned the call.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Actually, we tried calling them and left a message but they never returned the call.

I'm not sure they even have a secretary. Just a bunch of lab techs. We usually just put samples on their desk with a business card and get a results email a day later. May help that we have a business account there I suppose.

 

[OPButtrey]

Have you closed on the house yet? If not, has the seller given you the disclosure document? If they do not disclose asbestos you could request that they have it tested and removed (if necessary) prior to closing.

 

[OPButtrey]

Have you closed on the house yet? If not, has the seller given you the disclosure document? If they do not disclose asbestos you could request that they have it tested and removed (if necessary) prior to closing.

Actually, this sounds like a good question for Mr. Charter

 

[CarrollCyclone]

Have you closed on the house yet? If not, has the seller given you the disclosure document? If they do not disclose asbestos you could request that they have it tested and removed (if necessary) prior to closing.

This

 

[somecyguy]

I would still have it checked, but it's not as likely to have asbestos as you might think. We bought a house built in 1974 with the same popcorn ceilings. Had them tested and it came back negative. The contractors doing my re-model said, by the early 70s most people had already stopped using it.

 

[NickTheGreat]

I'd probably just do it myself. I tend to believe the "asbestos dangers" is to guys with regular exposure. I'm not sure a cheap dust mask or moderate price respirator from Home Depot would even help, but I'd probably do something in that regard.

But this is from a guy who eats gluten, has smoked cigars, drinks beer, and has ridden motorcycles/bicycles without a helmet in the past.

 

[1100011CS]

Have you closed on the house yet? If not, has the seller given you the disclosure document? If they do not disclose asbestos you could request that they have it tested and removed (if necessary) prior to closing.

We have not closed and they will not test because then they would have to disclose so would have to fix or not sell. They won't let us test either. Basically they're laying it on us to take the gamble.

 

[1100011CS]

I would still have it checked, but it's not as likely to have asbestos as you might think. We bought a house built in 1974 with the same popcorn ceilings. Had them tested and it came back negative. The contractors doing my re-model said, by the early 70s most people had already stopped using it.

This is what we're hearing from local contractors too.

 

[keepngoal]

We have not closed and they will not test because then they would have to disclose so would have to fix or not sell. They won't let us test either. Basically they're laying it on us to take the gamble.

that is unfortunate. Curious to know what you plan to do,or end up doing. Good luck.

 

[Cyclonepride]

We have not closed and they will not test because then they would have to disclose so would have to fix or not sell. They won't let us test either. Basically they're laying it on us to take the gamble.

Yeah, that blows. The next question is whether you were going to do the ceiling work yourself, or have a company do it for you. If someone is going to do it for you, they'd legally have to test for and mitigate it (not that all companies do, but would you trust a company in other things that doesn't care about the law?). That could get crazy expensive (for what it is). With flooring, the quotes from asbestos removal companies I've seen (we don't do it if it's present) are about 10 times what it costs to remove normally.

 

[ArgentCy]

That is a new one on me. Just great, another stupid thing to worry about.

 

[ArgentCy]

We have not closed and they will not test because then they would have to disclose so would have to fix or not sell. They won't let us test either. Basically they're laying it on us to take the gamble.

Another example of government interference trying to do "good things" that just make the real world worse. I imagine testing wouldn't be a problem if they didn't require so much of the sellers.

 

[1100011CS]

Another example of government interference trying to do "good things" that just make the real world worse. I imagine testing wouldn't be a problem if they didn't require so much of the sellers.

Actually, I would prefer a little government 'interference' here. I feel like we are getting/got screwed because nobody knew anything about this possibility. Maybe some required realtor training? I sure got a lot of info about radon from them.

And your schtick is getting old.

 

[Clonehomer]

Another example of government interference trying to do "good things" that just make the real world worse. I imagine testing wouldn't be a problem if they didn't require so much of the sellers.

Require so much of the sellers? Like providing known hazard information to people you're selling a house to? That's a stretch even for you.