I'm looking to put an offer on a house in Ocean, NJ, built in 1969, which has a popcorn ceiling. We're concerned it could have asbestos since it's from that era. I've read that leaving it alone might be the simplest and most cost-effective solution, but if we do choose to put drywall over it, would that pose risks when we need to cut holes for lighting and other fixtures?
2 Answers
Honestly, just leaving the popcorn ceiling as it is could be your best bet. As long as it’s not disturbed, asbestos should be fine. If you really need to make modifications like drilling holes, just be sure to wear a good respirator to protect yourself.
I get that the look isn’t great, but the safest route is often to leave it untouched. You can definitely do what you want after covering it, but just be super careful if you're cutting into it later. It’s tough because once you start moving things around, that’s when you could kick up any harmful particles.