Beware the popcorn ceiling: Important Asbestos Information for DIY Home Improvement Experts

If you have acoustic ceilings (usually called “popcorn” ceilings because of the texture of the coating used in the product), you need to be aware of the dangers if you plan to remove this ceiling coating as part of a “Do it Yourself” (DIY) home improvement project.

This spray-on ceiling coating was frequently used as a quick fix to repair ceilings in many homes and apartments instead of the more expensive and time-consuming process of re-plastering. It was also seen as a less costly alternative to other methods used to hide tape, nail heads and other flaws in the wallboards used for ceilings.

In both the construction of new homes and apartments, as well as those remodeled from the 1960’s through the 1980’s, the popcorn coating contained asbestos. If you inhale asbestos fibers, you and your family are at risk for developing lung diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and Mesothelioma.

Few, if any, home repair experts appropriately caution homeowners or renters who plan to do this repair as part of a DIY home improvement project. Even some of the most trusted names in the DIY industry merely note a vague caution about the dangers involved in removing a popcorn ceiling.

Before undertaking this type of project, you need to have several samples of the coating evaluated by a laboratory to test for asbestos content. Without taking this important first step, you, your family and your neighbors (if you live in an apartment building) can be exposed to dangerous asbestos dust. You should contact your city’s Environmental Protection Department to find an experienced lab to sample the coating on your ceilings. Depending on their findings, you may have to hire an experienced asbestos abatement company to remove the ceiling coating safely.

Whether you or a family member has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma or lung cancer, you depend on your medical team to provide the best care for your illness.

You also need a highly qualified and experienced team of Mesothelioma lawyers. At Weitz & Luxenberg, we can help you file a lawsuit to cover your medical bills, pain and suffering and other expenses.

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