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Covering Over Popcorn Ceilings
Beware Asbestos Laced Popcorn Ceilings when Considering Removing or Covering
Popcorn Ceilings
By Mark J. Donovan
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Question: Mark, can a joint
compound texture mix be applied to an already popcorn-textured ceiling to
effectively cover over the popcorn ceiling? The home was built in 1964, so I
believe the popcorn is asbestos. More specifically, can a thin joint compound
mix be applied, dried, and maybe a final coat of texture applied to the popcorn
ceiling? Please advise if this can be done. Thanks.
Answer: Claire, popcorn textured ceilings were a very popular solution
for finishing ceilings years ago, however they have fallen out of style with
today's homebuyers.
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Popcorn ceilings were a popular
choice in years past due to the fact that they provided an interesting texture
to the ceilings and helped to mask imperfections in the drywall. The downside of
popcorn ceilings, however, is that their textured surface makes them harbingers
of dust and they are hard to maintain or repair in the event of a stain, such as
a water stain associated with a roof leak.
Popcorn ceilings can be removed, however, it takes some serious muscle and is
quite messy. In addition, popcorn ceilings installed prior to 1979 most likely
have asbestos in them, and thus should be removed by a licensed asbestos
abatement contractor. Removing popcorn ceilings involves wetting the popcorn
ceiling down and then scraping it off. After it has been removed, joint compound
can then be applied to the drywall ceiling to resurface it.
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In terms
of applying joint compound directly over an asbestos
laced popcorn ceiling, I have a couple of major
concerns. First, popcorn ceilings do not have the
greatest adhesion strength to the drywall.
Consequently you may find the popcorn ceiling
mixture peeling away from the drywall when troweling
on heavy wet joint compound. Second, I find it is
safer in the long run to remove the asbestos based
material when it has been discovered, than simply
covering it up for someone else to have to deal with
later.
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For example, if your attempt of
mudding over the popcorn ceiling is less than perfect, a future homeowner may
elect to sand off the joint compound and inadvertently remove some of the
asbestos laced popcorn ceiling mixture.
One possible compromised solution is to apply new drywall over the popcorn
ceiling, effectively sandwiching in the asbestos laced popcorn ceiling mixture.
This approach, however, requires a significant amount of work.
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