Asbestos-containing ceiling FAQs, set#4

More questions & answers on which ceiling tiles or other materials that contain asbestos.

This article series provides photographs and descriptive text of asbestos insulation and other asbestos-containing products to permit identification of definite, probable, or possible asbestos materials in buildings.

Asbestos-containing Ceiling Tile FAQs-set#4

These questions & answers about ceiling tiles that do, do not, or might contain asbestos were posted originally at ASBESTOS CEILING TILE IDENTIFICATION - be sure to read that article.

Question: are homes ever condemned due to excessive asbestos?

Very useful article. Thanks. Wondering if homes are ever condemned due to excessive asbestos. - Anthony Kaskin 6/17/11

Reply:

Not that I know of personally, Anthony.

Usually the cleanup cost is less than the value of the home; of course for a home that has been abandoned, beaten badly, in poor shape, finding the added cost of the need for an asbestos cleanup could push it over the edge.

Question: Is there probably asbestos in ceiling tiles in our home dating from the 1940's and 50's or later?

I have ceiling tiles 5028 MF4 9 REG on the back. Are they asbestos? - Patrick 8/30/11

1948 home. ceiling tiles in both bedrooms, how can we tell if they have asbestos tiles - Ron 9/5/11

There is a type of ceiling tile that I cannot identify. Is there anyway I can send you a link? - Jack 9/23/12

Hi there - we have a house from 1892, the previous owners installed brown acoustical tile on the basement ceiling - sometime in the early 1990's we believe.

They are brown, and almost look like they are made from dense cardboard layers or some sort of fibre board. But I am concerned that they could contain asbestos. They are quite soft those and tear easily. - Christie 11/12/11

We bought a house that was built in the 50's - it has what I THINK is a Celotex ceiling (or some copy of Celotex) - it's in horrible shape and needs to be taken down - what are your thoughts on it containing asbestos, considering the age? - Saundra 11/22/11

Reply:

Ron and the others in the asbestos-suspect ceiling tile cases above: if you know the ceiling was installed before the early 1980's it's safe to assume it contains asbestos if it looks like the products shown in this article.

If you need to know for sure you'll want to send a small sample to a certified asbestos testing laboratory. Otherwise, treat the material as "PACM" - presumed asbestos-containing-material.

Jack: to send us a photograph of ceiling tiles, which you are welcome to do, use the email link found at the CONTACT link you'll see at the top, left side, and bottom of all pages at InspectAPedia

Christie: a ceiling product purchased in the 1990's would not be expected to contain asbestos.

Saundra, thanks for the important Celotex ceiling tile asbestos question. I've prepared a detailed answer and posted it in the article above under FAQs - please take a look and ask if you have further questions. Thanks. DF

Question: do leaks from above increase the asbestos hazard from ceiling tiles?

I am living in a duplex two level apartment on the bottom floor. The apartment has lead paint and the exact ceiling tiles above. I moved in 3weeks ago and the ceiling has been leaking every time it rains for the past 3 weeks. I need to know if this increases the health hazards dealing with asbestos and lead paint.

Thanks,
Joan 9/8/11

Reply:

Seems likely that the answer is yes, Joan if the materials you describe are softened, damaged, falling, or later just more easily disturbed due to changes in their stability and security.

Question: big smooth ceiling tiles nailed to joists contain asbestos?

We're looking at a house that was built in 1956. It has white ceiling tiles in the basement that are nailed to the studs. They are about 2-3 feet long and as wide as the space between the studs.

They are not damaged and appear to be in good condition. They do not have perforations in them. They appear to be original. Is it likely that these tiles contain asbestos? Thanks you for your thoughts. Jim - 9/8/11

Reply:

There were indeed 9" and 12" non-perforated ceiling tiles that contained asbestos fibers as well as materials made solely of wood fiber product. It would be prudent to exercise care (not making a dusty mess, leaving them alone, treating such materials as presumed-asbestos-containing-material.

Question: we shot paper clips into the ceiling tiles, now I'm worried

back in the 70's in grade school in north texas it was common for students to shoot paper clips at the ceiling to make it snow while the teacher was out of the classroom. Makes me nervous :-/ - Tom 9/19/11

Reply:

Tom, IMHO the chances are that shooting a paperclip at a ceiling that may have been covered with asbestos-containing ceiling tiles exposed the students to a detectable amount of asbestos contamination seem so low as to be beneath mention further.

Question: The hardware store employee told me I can use a lead paint test kit to check for asbestos. Is that true?

A hardware store employee told me to use the lead paint test kit on one of the acoustic ceiling tiles. He said that, after all these years (since 1965) it would show positive for lead, if in fact the tiles contain asbestos. Is this true? - Deb 9/22/11

Reply:

Deb, no, there is not one iota of truth in what you were told.

A lead paint test has nothing to do with and is not capable of detecting asbestos in building products.

The hardware store guy who told you to use a lead paint test to screen for asbestos was dangerously mistaken.

Question: My father who hung ceilings died of cancer, am I next?

My father worked in hanging ceilings or gluing ceilings for 30 years. He died of cancer in 2000. I worked in the same field for 16 years. Am I next? - Frank 11/14/11

Reply:

Frank, Some factors that would affect the risk to both your dad and yourself include the level and duration of exposure to asbestos and to possibly carcinogenic VOCs that may have been present in some of the adhesives and glues you used, and the use that you made of protective gear such as a HEPA respirator that also was equipped with an MVOC filter.

There are plenty of causes of cancer besides asbestos and glue exposure, and way too many unknowns in the cases you describe for anyone to offer a credible answer about your own cancer risk from your question alone.

You should discuss the details of your exposure, materials, time, use of protective gear, dust levels, your personal health, history, genetics, and complaints or concerns with your own doctor - or ask her for a referral to a physician who specializes in environmental medicine.

Question: what should be done to make the house safer after an old ceiling has been removed?

My grandparents have a home that was built in either 1958 or 1959 and the basement has the acoustic tiles on the ceiling. (they are white and look like they are made out of some type of fiber board.) My grandfather has decided that they might contain asbestos and has started taking them down wearing a mask and using a tarp only.

He has taken them all down and I'm wondering if there is something that should be done to make the house safer since if they do contain asbestos the particles have been released all over the basement. - Debbie, 12/29/11

Reply:

If in doubt about potentially hazardous dust in the home it would make sense to clean up the work area, and if dust could have spread to other areas of the home, clean them too. Damp wiping and HEPA vacuuming are the typical cleaning methods used.

Question: 12x12 ceiling tiles with gold stars contain asbestos?

My parents have ceiling tiles that are 12x12 with gold stars. They were installed sometime before 1970. Asbestos? - Anon. 1/12/12

Reply:

Some brands of ceiling tiles made in the era you described are reported to contain asbestos.

Question: how can I identify asbestos plasgter on ductwork?

How can i identify asbestos plaster and if material wrapping my duct is asbestos I am in a brick home that's about 100 years old - James Pitt 2/4/12

Reply:

James, for a definitive identification of asbestos material you will need to send a sample to a certified asbestos testing laboratory. However many insulating materials on ducts and piping are recognizable as asbestos materials by eye as in some cases there was no other product that looked the same that was not asbestos containing.

For pipe insulation see (links at the ARTICLE INDEX the bottom of this article ) ASBESTOS PIPE INSULATION

For HVAC duct insulation photos see ASBESTOS DUCTS, HVAC

and also ASBESTOS PAPER DUCT INSULATION

Question: pebble textured ceilings contain asbestos?

We are moving into a property with white ceiling tiles with a pebbly texture on them. I noticed a red, packed-earth like substance erupting from one point near the edge of the tiles - could this be asbestos? - Eamon 3/21/12

Reply:

Eamon what you describe does not sound like asbestos but please understand that from just a text comment like yours I can't really know what you're seeing.

Certainly there was use of asbestos in some textured ceiling paints including spray-on pebble like surfaces. But ceiling tiles may or may not contain asbestos depending on the brand, product number, and era of production.

The red eruption you describe is more likely due to a leak above - take a look in the ceiling or at plumbing in the floor above.

Question: how should we deal with 1960's 12x12 ceiling tiles?

I think the ceiling tiles at the family farm home...house was built in 1961 has the 12 x 12 ceiling tiles. Would it be best to leave the tiles? and add new firring strips and cover with drywall. Or take down the tiles...They are not coming down but we want to update the room. - Barbara 3/26/12

Reply:

Barbara, I'd leave the ceiling tiles in place and fur over them as you suggest - it's better not to disturb asbestos-suspect material as long as you can avoid spreading it in the building. So yes, I like your solution.

Question: the 1970's acoustic tile ceiling fell in my apartment, I did some amateur cleanup work, now how do I make the area safe?

Last night about 20 ceiling tiles made well before the 70's fell in my bedroom in the middle of the night. They are made of a fibrous materials, and appear to be painted white. I probably breathed the dust and fumes for a good 10 minutes or more, and then, also regrettably, used my vacuum for clean-up.

I presume from what you have stated that I 'may' have been exposed to quite a bit of asbestos. What ought to be my next steps to minimize the impact on me physically, and going forward in terms of speaking to the landlord for creating a safe environment? - Bill 6/22/12

Reply:

Bill, if the ceiling fell because it was wet, that may have minimized the particle release, but I agree that considering the age of the material it's prudent to treat it as "PACM" - presumed asbestos containing material.

That means damp wiping & HEPA Vacuuming - more important to clean up dust on all surfaces than before, as you aerated dust with your conventional home vacuum

. You are not obligated to nor expected to be an asbestos cleanup expert - so the mistake of household vacuuming is not IMHO a crime, but it would be smart to

- clean up thoroughly

- determine why the ceiling fell and fix that

- if necessary, install a new layer of ceiling that avoids a repeat of the trouble

In most leases the landlord is not required to give much to the tenants, but is expected to provide safe, habitable, functional living space

. In my OPINION that includes dealing with the matter you've described and making sure that the building is safe and habitable, and if s/he's smart, reporting to you on what needs to be done or has been done.

Take a look at RENTERS & TENANTS GUIDE TO MOLD & INDOOR HAZARDS - as it gives advice for tenants and landlords about dealing with potential indoor air quality matters.

Question: Asbestos firm says ceiling tiles without brown spots should be tested

My basement ceiling has 16 x 16 white ceiling tiles. Two fell down today and I pickeed them up, moved them and walked around the room.

Subsequently I moved thru the house completely. I called an asbestos firm (closed on Saturday) and asked a question. He said "Do they have brown spots?" No they don't.

He said to break one and send him the piece which he would send for testing. The tiles were probably installed about 60 years ago. I now note that several more tiles are about to fall. Procedure? - Joan W 6/23/12

Reply:

Joan if you want to test a fragment for asbestos there is no reason you could not send it directly to a lab of your choice. Meanwhile to be cautious avoid a dusty demolition project. Often a simple staple or finishing nail can hold a ceiling tile in place pending a decision to act.

Question: Fiberboard stuff in my attic is tan and butterscotch colored - is it asbestos?

Hello. i live in Worcester Massachusetts in a home built in 1947. the attic has some fiberous board nailed in place, which there is not much of, but it looks like it was done by a previous homeowner. it is cut into various shapes. but the color is light tan on one side and a butterscotch on the other.

i am worried this is Asbestos. i can see no identifying mark on the stuff. we also have an old drop ceiling in the basement, 2 x 4 foot panels fiberous material painted white on one side. both materials can be broken very easily into small pieces. - Jon 6/26/12

Reply:

Jon, look through the article above and also the Homasote article (link at the ARTICLE INDEX the bottom of this article ) and you may have a better idea what wood fiber type insulating board looks like. Fiberboard insulation is not an asbestos product.

Question: 12x12 ceiling tiles are wet - is that an asbestos hazard?

i moved in with my fiance, he is living in his great grandparents old house. the house was built before the 1950's. the ceiling tiles in the house are acoustic white 12x12. they are turning brown like they have been wet and are falling. behind the tile that has fallen looks like mold. i am expecting a child and i need to know if i need to be worried or if its nothing. - Emily 8/1/2012

Reply:

Emily,

What you describe sounds to me as if it would be appropriate to

- find and fix the leaks that are causing ceilings to stain and collapse

- check for hidden or extensive problematic mold growth and contamination

- take care during cleanup in case the ceiling materials contain asbestos - not to create an asbestos dust hazard, and to use appropriate cleanup methods.

Question: Asbestos containing floor tiles, ceiling tiles glued to wood, can I paint it?

My parents' house, built in 1957 with basement finished in 1958, has asbestos tiles on the basement floor and some form of reddish layered fibreboard with white surface 9x9 tiles on the ceiling. The floor tiles are starting to come off - whole, fortunately - and I plan to get the floor sealed and linoleum laid over top.

The ceiling is apparently attached (glued?) to wood - one tile has come down and I will reattach it, but the rest is solid.

Should I be "encapsulating" the ceiling by some means? It is no longer gorgeous - apparently there were smokers down in the basement when my brother lived there.

Can one paint such a ceiling? If so, what sort of paint would be light enough not to make the ceiling fall, and not so wet as to wet down the glue?

Is there another method? Thank you very much - this page has been most helpful. - Audrey 10/5/12

Reply:

We cant say what is on your ceiling, but often a coating of lacquer based stain sealer will work well at killing stains and sealing a surface. Paints are not heavy enough to make a ceiling fall down, but leaks into the ceiling can cause that problem in a flash.

Question: should I test a drop ceiling installed in 1976

My home was built in 1976. The basement has a drop ceiling that was installed at some point after that. Should I have the tiles tested? - Mike 10/31/12

Reply:

Mike,

Based on the age of the house, it's possible that your ceiling contains asbestos.

You can have a fragment of ceiling mateial tested for asbestos content at rather low cost, typically around $50. by calling any certified asbestos testing lab for instructions and fee schedules. (Don't send our forensic lab a sample - it'd be a conflict of interest).

Or you can treat the material as "Presumed Asbestos Containing Material" (PACM) and handle it accordingly.

Question: Possible asbestos content in popcorn ceilings in an older home - also mold & asthma worries

i live in san diego,ca in a 1936 old house that has mold inside as well as outside the home my friend was born in this house and he said the wall paper the popcorn ceiling carpet doors windows cabin ts still the same since

he was a lil child he is now 50 yrs old i been gettin sick nausa headache been hospitalize for asthma attack me and my daughter - Trina 11/13/12

Reply:

Trina,

Check with your doctor, but I don't think asbestos exposure produces asthma. In an older home that has not been cleaned nor updated, there could certainly be various respiratory irritants, insect fragments, mold, animal allergens, dust mites etc.

However, popcorn ceilings that are old often used asbesos fibers and filler in the coating.

See also CEILING PAINT TEXTURED / POPCORN ASBESTOS

Search inspectApedia for MOLD / ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERT, HIRE ? for help in deciding ifit is appropriate to hire an expert to nspect your home.

Do Homart Starspray Ceiling Tiles Contain Asbestos?

This Q&A moved to HOMART CEILING TILES

Do Nu-Wood Sta-Rite Cellulose ceiling tiles contain asbestos?

This Q&A moved to NU-WOOD STA-Lite CEILING TILES

...

Continue reading  at DO THESE CEILING TILES CONTAIN ASBESTOS? or see ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST for access to certified asbestos testing labs, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see ASBESTOS CEILING TILE FAQs-5 - more recently-posted questions and answers about asbestos-suspect ceiling tiles

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• ASBESTOS CEILING TILE IDENTIFICATION - 5 Easy Steps to tell if CEILING TILES are likely to contain asbestos
• ASBESTOS-FREE CEILING TILES
• ASBESTOS-SUSPECT CEILING COVEROVER
• ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST - certified asbestos testing labs
• DOES THIS MATERIAL CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if a BUILDING MATERIAL probably contains asbestos -
• HAZARD vs RISK - what's the difference, why you should care

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ASBESTOS CEILING TILE FAQs-4 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to ASBESTOS HAZARDS

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