Popcorn ceilings

[pstylesss]

I know for a fact the popcorn ceilings in the house I'm buying has asbestos in them. I am going to scrape off the popcorn before I put new carpet and paint in. I was not going to pay someone to scrape my ceiling, I was going to do the back breaking labour myself. I was going to wear a face mask just because of the dust it'll create anyway. I mentioned it to a coworker and two of them start freaking out telling me not to scrape it, telling me asbestos will get everywhere and I'll die.

I choose not to live my life in fear of everything that may kill me... I've spoken with a couple people who said the time I will be around it will not be a problem. My co-worker basically said if I scrape the ceiling hell will open up and swallow me whole. And asbestos will be floating around my house forever.

Is there really anything to be concerned about? I really don't think there is. I'm going to be wearing a face mask, I'll have the windows open for ventilation, and if needed I have a huge commercial type fan (more like a wind turbine) I can use to suck the air out.


Update:

I scraped a small portion of the ceiling by the stairs. I am all done, not doing anymore. What a pain in the ass. It's not that it's back breaking work. It's just tedious and annoying. I'll live with the popcorn.

Anyone thinking about doing this just stop, it's not worth it.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

how do you know this for a fact?

aside from the fact it would be a violation of state and possibly federal law to abate asbestos without a license, it's a serious health risk.

it would also be illegal to ventilate the airborne matter into the atmosphere.

 

[funkymatt]

you need to make sure the parts you are scraping are thoroughly soaked. Not only will it help with the asbestos, but it makes that crap come off much easier.

 

[Chiropteran]

You are going about it all wrong. To play it safe, I suggest you burn the place down and rebuild it.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

update:

Apparently in your area, you may remove it yourself if you follow the appropriate rules:

http://www.pscleanair.org/regu...wners/renovations.aspx

you still may NOT remove it as you are planning to and ventilate it to the atmosphere. That can lead to very VERY large fines.

 

[Vette73]

To keep the reaction and spreading low use a sprayer and get it wet. That way it comes off in clumps and will stick together. makes it go much faster and much less particles. Wear a good filter and doing that should be ok.

 

[pstylesss]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
how do you know this for a fact?

aside from the fact it would be a violation of state and possibly federal law to abate asbestos without a license, it's a serious health risk.

it would also be illegal to ventilate the airborne matter into the atmosphere.

I don't and I was completely wrong.
It looks like asbestos was banned in '78, the house was built in '79. So I guess it shouldn't be a problem.


edit again: looks like it could have asbestos if the builder still had it in stock... he was able to use his inventory until it was gone.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I would try and soak a spot. Scrape it off and get it tested before doing anything else.

 

[amdskip]

You should be able to scrap a little and send it off to the health department or a testing lab.

 

[pstylesss]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
I would try and soak a spot. Scrape it off and get it tested before doing anything else.

Yeah I'll be doing this.

I have a fun project ahead of me. It was painted so it's going to be even more of a pain.

 

[RESmonkey]

Nuke it from space. Only way you'll be sure they're gone.

 

[mooseracing]

Thanks for not helping lead to the pussification of America.

Just do like what has been said, dampen to keep the particles down, I would also seal the room off from the others to help keep the spread down. Like with plastic sheeting and what not. I would also setup a vaccum system or ventilation to move the dust outside, yea I said it.

Asbestos is just another one of the things Commiefornia marked as causing cancer. My dad has asbestos spots on his lungs just from working with brake dust. Good luck, and don't let the government find out or your life will become hell.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
I would try and soak a spot. Scrape it off and get it tested before doing anything else.

Yeah I'll be doing this.

I have a fun project ahead of me. It was painted so it's going to be even more of a pain.

if it's asbestos, the paint will help you minimize the dust though.

 

[IGBT]

..you can get it tested. most of it's not asbestos. either way it's tacky/trashy. I know many that simply rocked over it and sealed the seams with tape rather then scrape/scratch it off. 1/2 sheet rock solves the problem.

 

[pstylesss]

Originally posted by: IGBT
..you can get it tested. most of it's not asbestos. either way it's tacky/trashy. I know many that simply rocked over it and sealed the seams with tape rather then scrape/scratch it off. 1/2 sheet rock solves the problem.

That was an option but it's more pricey and I'm not to interested in sheet rocking a ceiling. I enjoy doing drywall but I have back problems anyway... that angle will kill me.

I'll test a room and if it's just too much hassle I may just cover it.

 

[Jugernot]

I scraped all 1400sf of the top floor of my house (the bottom floor didn't have any).... I didn't have mine tested. I was very lucky in the fact that it had been painted several times and it came off in sheets. I used a shopvac and vaccuumed up all the dust.

After I was done, I spray textured it all and repainted. It looks really good, much better than the popcorn which really dates a house.

Asbestos exposure isn't powdered death like most people think, use common sense and you'll be fine.

Jugs

PS: Yes, I'll probably die a terrible death from lung cancer in 40years from asbestos exposure.... but then again I'll be in my late 60s and won't want to live.

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: Jugernot
I scraped all 1400sf of the top floor of my house (the bottom floor didn't have any).... I didn't have mine tested. I was very lucky in the fact that it had been painted several times and it came off in sheets. I used a shopvac and vaccuumed up all the dust.

After I was done, I spray textured it all and repainted. It looks really good, much better than the popcorn which really dates a house.

Asbestos exposure isn't powdered death like most people think, use common sense and you'll be fine.

Jugs

PS: Yes, I'll probably die a terrible death from lung cancer in 40years from asbestos exposure.... but then again I'll be in my late 60s and won't want to live.

..I guess you haven't heard. 60 is the new 40.

 

[zerocool1]

Nvm...read OPs next post, unlike most of the other posters, where it is written that asbestos is probably not in the ceiling bc of the build date of the house.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: zerocool1
Nvm...read OPs next post, unlike most of the other posters, where it is written that asbestos is probably not in the ceiling bc of the build date of the house.

At my condo, it was disclosed that the sprayer that the builder used to spray the ceiling, had a seal that was composed of an asbestos / composite material, and as such I had to jump through major hoops and any action on my own could draw action from the HOA over collateral exposure.

As others have said, wet it down, and double bag it, keep all dust to an abolute minimum and wear a good respirator, and you should feel comfortable gambling with your future lung function.....:shocked: :thumbsup:

 

[dartworth]

If you are interested in getting anything tested, try Western Analytical Laboratory


I have used them for various projects and jobs and have been happy with the results. It cost $30 which seems real fair to me.

They take Paypal and Propay too.

STEP BY STEP GUIDE
To Sample Collection and Submittal



Sample Collection
(Source: US Environmental Protection Agency)

Note: You cannot be sure that a material contains asbestos by just looking at it with a naked eye. Therefore, treat all suspect material as if they contain asbestos.

* Shut down any heating or cooling systems to minimize the spread of any released fibers.
* Do not disturb the material any more than is needed to take a small sample.
* Wet the material using a fine mist of water containing a few drops of detergent before taking the sample. The water/detergent mist will reduce the possibility of releasing asbestos fibers.
*
Carefully cut/scrape a piece from the entire depth of the material using, for example, a small knife, corer, or other sharp object.
*
Cut only a small piece of the material. All materials can be grouped into two categories: friable, i.e. the material can be crushed into powder by hand, and nonfriable. These amounts are adequate for testing:

For friable samples - 1 teaspoon
For nonfriable samples - 1 square inch piece

* Place the small piece into a clean container (for example, a ZipLock bag). Tightly seal the container after the sample is in it.
* Use a damp paper towel to clean up any material on the outside of the container or around the area sampled.
* Label the container with an ID number (for example, Sample #1)
* Submit the sample(s) for testing


Special Notes

* For acoustic ceiling (popcorn ceiling) material, three samples from different locations is strongly recommended if it covers more than 1,000 sq. ft.
* The mastic or glue/adhesive under floor tile is a separate sample and subject to a separate charge.
* For vermiculite insulation, collect at least one tablespoon instead of one teaspoon of material.
* For Dust and Soil/Dirt samples, please follow these instructions


Sample Submittal

* Place the container with the sample(s) in a suitable mailing envelope.
* Please fill out an electronic submittal form or a Printable Form: either the Html Submittal Form or the PDF Type-able Form to include with your sample(s).
* Enclose your payment (money order or a personal check) of $30 for one sample or $20 each for two or more samples.
* If you prefer to pay by credit card, please follow this link for a secure online transaction.
* International customers should follow the credit card payment link above.
* Samples can be mailed in using the US. postal service, FedEx, UPS, etc. or hand delivered. Our address is:

Western Analytical Laboratory
12734 Branford St., #19
Arleta, CA 91331


* We will notify you of the results within 24 hours by phone, fax or e-mail and will also send you the hard copy of the report in one or two business days.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
how do you know this for a fact?

aside from the fact it would be a violation of state and possibly federal law to abate asbestos without a license, it's a serious health risk.

it would also be illegal to ventilate the airborne matter into the atmosphere.

I don't and I was completely wrong.
It looks like asbestos was banned in '78, the house was built in '79. So I guess it shouldn't be a problem.


edit again: looks like it could have asbestos if the builder still had it in stock... he was able to use his inventory until it was gone.

I believe they say to figure anything up to 10 years after a supply cutoff may still contain it.

This is one thing you really don't want to chance. They have asbestos testing labs that are very reasonable. They will send you a kit and instructions.

 

[SwiftWind]

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
Nuke it from space. Only way you'll be sure they're gone.

 

[pstylesss]

Update:

I scraped a small portion of the ceiling by the stairs. I am all done, not doing anymore. What a pain in the ass. It's not that it's back breaking work. It's just tedious and annoying. I'll live with the popcorn.

Anyone thinking about doing this just stop, it's not worth it.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
Update:

I scraped a small portion of the ceiling by the stairs. I am all done, not doing anymore. What a pain in the ass. It's not that it's back breaking work. It's just tedious and annoying. I'll live with the popcorn.

Anyone thinking about doing this just stop, it's not worth it.

did you saturate it with water? it should soften it up a lot...

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
I would try and soak a spot. Scrape it off and get it tested before doing anything else.

Yeah I'll be doing this.

I have a fun project ahead of me. It was painted so it's going to be even more of a pain.

if it's asbestos, the paint will help you minimize the dust though.

What if its lead paint?