NOVA popcorn ceiling help

[Elizabeth O.]

Does anyone have someone in the NOVA, northern Virginia, area that has taken care of substantial popcorn ceilings?

~3200sqft home and almost every room has popcorn, some worse than others.  I have no idea how much this job would even cost to take care of.  Does anyone have someone they have used that does a good job for a fair price? 

Thanks so much for any help or suggestions.

[Brittani Grant]

Hi Elizabeth!

I haven't had to remove a large quantity of popcorn ceilings before, but wanted to provide a note of caution. Depending on when the property you have was built, the popcorn ceiling could contain asbestos. Asbestos was banned in the late 70s but prior to then, was used quite commonly. It doesn't do any harm if undisturbed, but if it's in the ceiling and you go to remove it, it becomes a serious health hazard. Based on the age of the home, you should get it tested prior to removal.

I live in an older DC condo building, built in 1967 so there are several elements in the buildings that have asbestos. Removing it requires a speciality contractor licensed in abatement which of course cost more. Other tactics I've seen used by other owners is coating it. Rather than doing the messy and costly removal, they hire a normal contractor to skim coat the ceiling, I believe with normal drywall mud to achieve a smooth surface ceiling. It's just as labor intensive as removing the texture, but doesn't require any special licenses since original stuff isn't disturbed.

One other thing I was told is that if you test the ceiling, it comes back positive, and you don't abate - I believe it becomes something that you'd have to disclose when selling (if that's your plan).

Just some food for thought.

Best of luck!