Although you can do this yourself, especially if the materials are free of asbestos, be prepared for a lot of labor.įirst, you’ll have to remove the furnishings or move them to the center of the space and cover them and the floor with a drop cloth and plastic sheeting. Removing a popcorn ceiling can be expensive and leave fine white dust everywhere. Source: (ungvar/ Shutterstock) Popcorn ceiling removal is costly-and messy The newer type of popcorn texture is made with pieces of polystyrene or Styrofoam, so there’s no worry of asbestos with those, even if there’s flaking. of Cinnaminson, New Jersey, which has more than 45 locations throughout the United States and Canada, will test consumers’ samples, with lab fees starting around $130 for a one-week turnaround time. The accredited testing company EMSL Analytical Inc. You also can spray water onto a small portion of the area and remove a sample without scraping. (The cost of such testing varies widely by square foot, although hazardous materials contractors do offer free estimates). If your popcorn ceiling is already damaged and you’re concerned about asbestos, the EPA advises consulting with a trained asbestos professional, who can test for the substance and work with you on removing it. “Material that is in good condition and will not be disturbed (by remodeling, for example) should be left alone,” the EPA recommends. Whenever you take it off, it makes a room feel much more vibrant.” What about asbestos concerns?ĭeciding to remove a popcorn ceiling is tricky, however, because of the possibility of asbestos.Īsbestos is a mineral fiber occurring in rock and soil that, if inhaled, can cause diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.Īsbestos was used for decades in a variety of building construction materials, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but has been banned in various products from 1973 through 1990.Įven so, if your home was built before the late 1980s, the spray-on texture used to create your popcorn ceiling may have contained asbestos.Īlthough it’s impossible to tell whether any material contains asbestos just by sight, scraping off a portion to be tested can do more harm than good, releasing asbestos fibers through dust. “Popcorn is very hard to clean and to keep clean,” Schutte said. Because of its “ crater-like surfaces,” it also casts harsh shadows, making rooms appear smaller. The biggest aesthetic drawback of a popcorn ceiling is that it tends to collect dust, dirt, and cobwebs. In a bathroom or kitchen, both of which have a fair amount of moisture, the texture of a popcorn ceiling can loosen and eventually come down.
They’re cheap and easy to install, and because of their acoustic properties, popcorn ceilings can cut down on sound in multi-story houses and high-traffic areas such as entryways and hallways.īut popcorn ceilings don’t handle moisture well, according to, an online directory of service professionals founded in 2008. The home improvement and repair site, launched in 1995, said that this textured, spray-on finish is an inexpensive way to hide flaws in a ceiling, including leaks, cracks, damage, and just poor workmanship. Not everyone is sour on popcorn ceilings.