Yes, we have asbestos (public school, college, cost of)

[Dr.Mom]

"You can just put sheetrock over the asbestos, tape and float and then paint. Much cheaper than that $3/sq. ft. quote."

Yes, but now they know it's asbestos and would have to disclose it if they sell their house at some point down the line. That may deter some potential buyers.

[BJB817]

There should be quite a bit of reliable info online regarding safely removing asbestos.

I had to do some in my last house. The key is to keep it wet. As long as the asbestos isn't handled in it's dry form where the dust can be breathed in, it can't hurt you.

I'd be on the ladder with my spray bottle, taping knife and respirator and save $2 a foot, but that's just me.

It should also be noted that the harmful effects of asbestos come from repeated exposure over a long period, doing one project and disposing of it properly wouldn't do it...

[atlanta hope]

I have a 2 year old -- I can barely find time to load the dishwasher, much less spray and scrape some goopy crap off my ceiling that may or may not be dangerous.

[austin-steve]

Well, not to discount the worries and fears of others, but be careful what you test for, you'll probably find something expensive to cure. I'm sure you also have lead paint, radon, asbestos, mold spores and - what else are people afraid of nowadays? You probably have it all.

And you could most likely be 100% oblivious to all of this and suffer no consequences. Did the sellers appear to be sickly people? I wonder if there is any statictical correlation to illnesses/health and the age of homes people live in?

If we want to scare ourselves, we can find frightening info on just about anything, including cell phone use, bottled water, public doorknobs, off-gassing in new homes, toxic materials in old homes, the air in hotel rooms (and the bedspreads), the food in restaurants, the equipment at your gym, the pew in your church, and on and on to infinity.

I think each individual has to determine their level of tolerance or acceptance of these factors, then do some research to find out the true life results, and make appropriate decisions based on your level of confort or fear.

Steve

[atlanta hope]

True Steve, but when you want to match your ceilings -- you don't want to contaminate your house if it's something easily avoided when getting rid of the popcorn. We didn't test for lead as all the original windows and doors have been replaced with the exception of one. Seems like most lead problems occur from the windows opening/closing and sending fine lead particles into the air.

We didn't consider Radon however. Maybe I should add that to my list?

[atlanta hope]

So one quote was $3800. Getting another one tomorrow.

[jmimedge]

Even though asbestos was banned in the late 70s, contractors still used it into the early 80s. It was very common in sheet flooring (backing), floor tiles, joint compound, wall and ceiling texture (popcorn ceilings). Be sure to only used a State Licensed lab. Omni Environmental here in Austin, or do a search for 'asbestos testing austin'. Be sure to only use a lab rather than a consulting firm or remediation company if you are going to get it tested yourself.

[CptnRn]

asbestos abatement austin tx - Google Maps

I have worked with ARC and can recommend them.

[atlanta hope]

We had the abatement folks come in and take care of it. Sierra was the company name if anyone else needs them.

[BentBow]

My god, I have scraped so much popcorn off ceilings, I should be dead!

We don't live in California, thank god!(but it's getting closer)
Care needs to be taken, but pulling up VAT tiles or scraping popcorn ceiling in Texas is not required to be done by a licensed asbestos abatement company, unless it is a public building.


Asbestos Homeowner's Guide

The Asbestos Program of the Texas Department of State Health Service (DSHS), regulates the removal of asbestos from public buildings within the state. The two main sets of rules and regulations enforced by DSHS are the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Rules (TAHPR) and the Federal National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). TAHPR applies to all buildings that are subject to public occupancy, or to which the general public has access, and to all persons disturbing, removing, encapsulating, or enclosing asbestos within public buildings for any purpose, including repair, renovation, dismantling, demolition, installations, or maintenance operations, or any other activity that may involve the disturbance or removal of asbestos-containing building material (ACBM) whether intentional or unintentional. NESHAP applies to the abatement of any friable ACBM or to the demolition of a facility. Private residences and apartment buildings with no more than four dwelling units are excluded from coverage by both rules. (Click here for more information: Exclusions)