I'm renovating my kitchen in a house from 1978 that we haven't moved into yet. The contractor is planning to remove the popcorn ceiling tomorrow, but they haven't tested for asbestos. They mentioned they'll cover things with plastic and spray it down, but I'm feeling uneasy. Should I be concerned about this?
2 Answers
Honestly, if they're going to wet it down, it should be fine. I had a similar situation, and my contractor handled it without any issues. Just make sure they’re actually taking those precautions.
You should definitely be cautious here. If you didn't specifically request an asbestos test, don't just assume it's part of the job. Some contractors might cut corners to keep costs low, and with a home of this age, there's a high likelihood that the popcorn ceiling contains asbestos—around 95%. Make sure you understand the safety measures they're planning to take before moving forward.
I wouldn't be too relaxed about it. Even if it's wet down, that doesn't mean it's completely safe. Always better to be safe than sorry!