Popcorn ceilings (also called “cottage cheese,” “acoustic,” or “stucco” ceilings) were quite famous from the early 1950s to the 1985. Homeowners and builders opted for these ceilings due to the bumpy, spray-on texture, as it offered quick and easy application. Plus, it helped builders disguise ceiling imperfections, absorb noise, and offer fire resistance.
Popcorn ceilings are no longer popular among home builders; however, they're still present in many homes built before the 1990s. Unfortunately, a large number of these ceilings contain asbestos. You need to address the problem promptly and contact an Asbestos testing company in Oakville. Don’t wait; get an asbestos test done by the experts at Inch by Inch Inspections. Air quality testing your Oakville home will be our first step towards finding the solution to your problem.
How Dangerous Is Asbestos In Ceilings?
You need to know that if your popcorn ceiling has asbestos, it will be in a range of 1 to 10 percent. Although 1% may seem a small percentage, you need to keep in mind any amount of asbestos in your popcorn ceiling is cause for concern.
Fortunately, asbestos doesn't cause severe health conditions if you don't disturb it. It should be noted that popcorn ceilings are made from friable materials. So, they can emit harmful asbestos dust into your air. If you breathe in this environment, this dust can cause chronic health problems, including:
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Mesothelioma
- Asbestosis
- Lung cancer
Since it can cause several problems for you and your family, you need professionals who can help you in air quality testing in Oakville. Experts can help you identify the asbestos presence in your house and evaluate the ceilings to find the best solution.
Do all Popcorn Ceilings Contain Asbestos?
Between the 1950s and 1985, homeowners and professionals considered asbestos the best material, as it was durable, inexpensive, and lightweight. Plus, you can add them to any materials as a non-flammable element. However, researchers found that asbestos can cause severe health conditions.
This is why, in the 1990s, the government banned using this material in ceilings. Additionally, this law also states that no ceiling will contain any asbestos. So, you can say every popcorn ceiling comes with asbestos, especially if your house's ceiling was installed before the ban.
What You Should Do If You Suspect Asbestos?
When it comes to asbestos, you can’t see and tell whether the ceiling contains asbestos. There are no signs that can predict the presence of asbestos in your ceiling. However, there are some ways to figure out the level of asbestos in your popcorns ceiling. One of them is to invest in a kit that has the equipment to test your ceiling. If you are purchasing an asbestos kit, you need to take a sample of the ceiling and send it to your nearest lab for examination.
Keep in mind that performing this procedure increases your chance of asbestos exposure. You might not have the expertise and knowledge to deal with the ceiling, which may allow the asbestos to get in your body while you breathe. So, before making it a DIY project, it’s better to think twice.
The best and safest way to do this test is to hire a professional asbestos removing company like Inch By Inch. They will test your ceiling without exposing you to harmful material. On top of that, we will walk you through the best course of action for your ceiling. Our team of experts will use several methods to make this procedure safe and protect you and your family.
Before opting for asbestos testing, you need to determine whether you are planning for any type of renovation or ceiling transformation. If not, there is no use of the test, as it will only force your ceiling to emit more asbestos. In other words, you will only risk your life. If you are planning to do something about your ceiling, you can opt for the following options:
Covering to Encasement
You can cover your popcorn ceiling with vinyl paint or ceiling panels to prevent dust from escaping from the ceiling.
Sealing or Encapsulation
Experts also suggest using an adhesive sealant to seal the ceiling. This procedure can help you bind the fibres together.
Full Abatement or Removal
In this case, you need to remove the entire ceiling and install a new one. But it can be a bit more expensive approach and secures you completely from any future risk.
Bottom Line
If you have decided to remove asbestos from your ceiling, you might need some help. At Inch By Inch, we have an experienced and trained team who can help you with Asbestos testing in Oakville and determine what percentage of asbestos is present in your house. Besides that, we ensure to limit your exposure while renovating the ceiling. Thus, you can stay safe and secure throughout the procedure. Using modern technology and excellent equipment, we help you find the best solution for your house. We are here to help you, contact us today to schedule asbestos testing in Oakville.