Why Those Stippled Ceilings May Hide a Dark Past

If you've recently bought a home that was built in the 1970s, you may love some of its period looks and intend to keep them, but you may want to make adjustments elsewhere to make the place more liveable. In particular, you may want to get rid of those very old-fashioned ceilings as they do not fit with your style, and you might be about to plan their demise. However, before you proceed, remember that those innocent ceilings may be hiding something dangerous, and before you do anything, you may need to consult with professionals. What is the risk here?

The Old-Fashioned Look

Interior design was a very different subject back in the 70s, and people would often treat their ceilings with a special, textured or patterned look. This product was similar to plaster in many respects, but it would leave the ceiling covered with swirly patterns and give it a stippled look.

Asbestos Inside

Unfortunately, these coatings were made with white asbestos to provide strength and stability. Back then, they did not realise how dangerous this product was, but now, it is something to be feared.

Sleeping Dogs Lie

If the ceiling is untouched, the previous owner may not have had cause for alarm and decided to let sleeping dogs lie. After all, asbestos will remain safe so long as it is untouched, and if you did want to keep those ceilings, you would not need to panic at all. However, the moment you disturb the surface, there is a danger that asbestos fibres could be released, and even a tiny amount can cause long-term and often fatal illnesses like mesothelioma.

Assume the Worst

There is a high risk that your textured ceiling contains asbestos, and until you know otherwise, you should assume that it does. Therefore, you should bring in an agency specialising in testing as they will be able to probe the ceiling using special equipment and with safety measures in place. They can then test the material and determine exactly what is there with a high degree of accuracy.

How To Proceed

Do not be tempted to sand off the textured appearance even though this may appear to be the simplest approach to take. Get the professionals involved first, and they can advise you what to do once they have completed their work. They may need to remove the texture while the area is closed off to everyday use, but they will be experienced and know how to proceed.

For more information, contact an asbestos removal service in your area.