Get matched with top asbestos removal specialists in Jane Lew, WV

Some pros may recommend covering a popcorn ceiling that tests positive for asbestos with beadboard ceiling planks or drywall. The cost to install a beadboard ceiling averages more than $5,000, but you likely will pay more than the average for the installer to deal with the asbestos safely. Installing a beadboard ceiling or new drywall will disturb the asbestos and release some microscopic fibers, so the installer will need to take precautions. 

In most cities, it isn’t legal to cover asbestos tile. This is because it’s difficult for the average homeowner to know if they’re causing fibers to become airborne. While there is a method of sealing the asbestos in place—called encapsulation—this needs to be done by a pro, and isn’t appropriate for all situations. 

Since the EPA partially banned asbestos use in 1989, it is not commonly used in siding in the United States. Many other countries, such as Iceland, Canada, and Denmark, also have bans on asbestos. However, asbestos siding is still present in homes built before the late 1980s. Remember, the only surefire way to know if your home or siding contains asbestos is to have it lab-tested by a professional. 

It can be safe to live in a house with asbestos as long as the asbestos-containing materials are in good condition and not disturbed. Asbestos is only dangerous when it becomes airborne, which happens if the material is damaged, crumbling, or disturbed during renovation work. If you suspect asbestos is present, it's important not to disturb it and to have it professionally inspected.