Getting Rid Of A "Popcorn" Ceiling

Home sellers often ask me about removing textured "popcorn" ceilings when they're selling their home. Popcorn ceilings are about as popular as the rotary phone, but before you get out the scraper, be sure you know what kind of material you're dealing with. Those unsightly popcorn ceilings that were so common in the 60s and 70s often contain asbestos.

In fact, until the late 1970s, many home building products contained asbestos. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, material in good condition generally will not release asbestos fibers, but sanding or scraping the material can release asbestos fibers into the air, putting you at risk of lung cancer and other serious conditions.

Before starting a renovation project, contact a licensed asbestos removal contractor, who can safely obtain a sample of the material to submit to a lab. If the material contains asbestos they can provide a plan of action for getting rid of it without releasing harmful fibers into your home.

For more information visit the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's website.