Q: How should I refurbish a rental condo after a tenant of some 13 years has departed? The ceilings have a "popcorn" finish, which I'm sure contains asbestos. The complex was built in the early '70s.Should I have a "hazmat" (hazardous materials) service evaluate or just bring in a contractor to remove the old and replace with current market materials?
A: Over the years we've written quite a bit about popcorn ceilings and the potential hazards of asbestos. The fact is, dealing with a popcorn ceiling that contains asbestos can be as messy -- and expensive -- as you want to make it. If we were in your shoes, just trying to get a rental unit looking good again, we would encapsulate.
No hazardous-materials service is required unless you want to remove the cottage cheese. In that case, take a small sample of ceiling material from an out-of-the-way place and have it tested... Read more: http://martymathis.remax.com/resources/newsdetail.aspx?IMID=138838&FRAMEMODE=0
