Popcorn ceiling asbestos testing and removal
Textured 'popcorn' ceilings in older homes may contain asbestos. Testing comes first; controlled removal only follows a confirmed result and a scoped plan.
Has this material been tested?
This is the first thing to establish. A material can't be safely priced for removal until a laboratory confirms whether it actually contains asbestos.
How it works
- 01
Test before disturbance
The ceiling texture is sampled and analyzed before any scraping or removal. Nothing is disturbed until the result is known.
- 02
Containment and controls
If asbestos is confirmed, the work area is contained and the appropriate controls for the classified work type are put in place before removal begins.
- 03
Controlled removal
The material is removed using wet methods and controlled work practices, then packaged and disposed of as required.
- 04
Cleanup and verification
The area is cleaned, and where the work type calls for it, clearance procedures confirm the space is ready for the next trade.
What to photograph before you call
Safety: Do not scrape, cut, sand, break, lift, sweep, or collect a sample yourself. Keep people away from any damaged material.
- Whole room or area, photographed from a safe distance
- Full coverage of the material in question
- Condition and damage, using your camera's zoom rather than getting closer
- Edges and transitions, without touching the material
- Approximate room or area dimensions
- Any existing lab report or designated substance survey
Common questions
Do all popcorn ceilings contain asbestos?
No. Many do not. But visual appearance can't confirm it either way — the texture has to be tested. Homes built or renovated during the decades when asbestos texture was common are the most likely candidates for testing.
Can I scrape it myself if it's only a small area?
Please don't disturb, scrape, or sand a suspect ceiling. Dry-scraping releases fibres into the air. If the texture is untested, treat it as suspect and have it sampled first.
Ready for a safe first step?
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