> I had my place (built in 1940) tested for about $600 or so USD.
Sounds like you got fucked over pretty hard on that price. A test kit is $35 and your sample is actually tested at a nationally certified laboratory. This is the same kit the pros use.
https://www.amazon.com/Asbestos-Test-Bus-Days-Schneider/dp/B008J3ZK8M
It's a personal preference thing and I really don't mind popcorn ceilings.
Make sure you send a small sample off to an asbestos testing lab before you do anything. What year was the home built?
https://www.amazon.com/Asbestos-Test-Bus-Days-Schneider/dp/B008J3ZK8M
Not sure how long that will take, but, you can buy an asbestos test kid for pretty cheap on amazon with 1-day turn-around. Personally, unless the city was responsive immediately I would buy it and test to find out NOW. Asbestos is nothing to fuck around with.
If it was a floating hardwood I would say keep it. For nail down you are better off removing it. This will allow you to put down the correct paper under the hardwood.
As for the asbetos risk I have used this test. From the date I ordered the test kit from amazon to the date I had results was just over a week, so you can get quick results.
I have used this Testing Kit on tile in my basement. The whole process, from when I clicked buy on amazon, to my results was just over a week. So they are fast.
To remove my tile I bought a heavy duty resperator, mopped everything down first, and was very careful wen removing the tile. I also sealed the area off with plastic, and made sure the HVAC fan was off.
I almost feel like we should have a bot for this, but the only want to tell is to get it tested. Test Kit Link
Turn around on the kit when I used it, from the day I ordered it on amazon, took a sample and sent it the kit, was not much over a week.
A test kit is $35. That includes the lab fee, and they DO test vermiculite. The exception is in New York State, where all vermiculite insulation is automatically treated as ACM - rendering testing redundant.
I got two of these to test questionable insulation in my house. When I packaged up the samples, I accidentally put them in each other’s back (the bags are associated with that kit by a number). When they were testing the sample, the called me to make sure I was aware of what I did because the samples did not match the description I gave. So for what it’s worth, the lab they get sent to cares enough to pay attention to stuff like that.
By the way, both came back negative even though I was almost certain they were asbestos based on the research I did online.
The only concern I see is you say the ductwork is tight-ish. I doubt it is a concern but if you want to be sure, get a test kit and test to see if you have asbestos coming in through leaky ductwork.
https://www.amazon.com/Asbestos-Test-Bus-Days-Schneider/dp/B008J3ZK8M
I used this. Collect a small sample from somewhere inconspicuous (I did underneath the smoke detector), and ship it off to them.
Some old drywall absolutely does contain asbestos. You can't really tell by appearance. If you suspect the drawer was constructed before 1980 it's a possibility.
If that's your primary concern, buy a test sample kit and have it tested for asbestos. Then you won't have to wonder.
$30 or $40 on Amazon for a kit that includes a UPS label and test. They email you the results a week after you send the sample. I used this one recently to have my popcorn ceiling tested: https://www.amazon.com/Asbestos-Test-Bus-Days-Schneider/dp/B008J3ZK8M/
Not that expensive. You can get a test kit on Amazon for $35: https://www.amazon.com/Asbestos-Test-Bus-Days-Schneider/dp/B008J3ZK8M/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=asbestos+test+kit&qid=1587566059&sprefix=asbes&sr=8-3
In 1980 you're borderline for the chance of asbestos. It was banned in popcorn ceiling spray manufacturing in 1978...but builders were allowed to use any existing stock they already had even past that date. So it's still best to test just to make sure.
I purchased this (twice) and it worked great! Just got my sample, filled out the form, made an account, filled out my account. Sent it in to the company and in 7 days I had my results. Very professional product.
My sample consisted of: A segment of popcorn ceiling from 5 different rooms.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008J3ZK8M?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I just used the testing kit below about 2 months ago on tile in my basement. I did not have 9x9 tile but it did contain asbestos. House was built in 1980.
The kid is easy to use and results came back in less then the 5 days they advertized.
Get an asbestos testing kit.
If there's asbestos, hire a pro for the abatement. If no asbestos, just decide if you'd rather spend your time scraping the ceiling or hanging, taping, and mudding new drywall... There is no happy answer here.
I have never used this testing kit but it has decent reviews on amazon.
You could break off a peice and test it yourself, but I doubt it contains asbestos if it is 1982.
I also would agree with u/rugerredhawk to install the flooring yourself. The home depot install is typically $3 a square foot depending on what you plan to install. That more then covers the cost of even high end tools.
There’s a $40 lab analysis fee added on to that, so it’s really just under $50. I used this one which includes the lab fee and is under $30.
In an 1960's house you damn sure better send some samples off for asbestos testing before you get balls deep in anything!
https://www.amazon.com/Asbestos-Test-Bus-Days-Schneider/dp/B008J3ZK8M
Man, that is awesome! Thank you!!!
Use science, not people on the Internet that you don't know:
https://www.amazon.com/Asbestos-Test-Bus-Days-Schneider/dp/B008J3ZK8M
I used this test kit on my house recently, they had a quick turn around on the test result https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B008J3ZK8M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Get it tested. The only way to actually know for sure. Everything else is merely guesswork.
https://www.amazon.com/Asbestos-Test-Bus-Days-Schneider/dp/B008J3ZK8M
Asbestos Test Kit 1 PK (5 Bus. Days) Schneider Labs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008J3ZK8M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8WJQW0QE6GV5RRZADC1T
You can always test it.
Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
---|---|---|---|
Asbestos Test Kit 1 PK (5 Bus. Days) Schneider La… | $35.00 | $35.00 | 4.6/5.0 |
^Item Info | Bot Info | Trigger
It all depends on where you live...the cheapest/least effective way is to get an out home test/mail away kit like this https://www.amazon.com/Asbestos-Test-Includes-Postage-Fees/dp/B008J3ZK8M/
But the requires you to handle to potential asbestos material. Still its preferred to doing nothing.
Not tried these before but what about those kits you get at the hardware store which come with a mailer to send it in. Something like this
https://www.lowes.com/pd/PRO-LAB-Asbestos-Test-Kit/1000084131
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008J3ZK8M/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_ZJ1GMHQA954BPF0REG7H
Buy this. $35 total. Worth the ease of mind, and you will know for sure.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008J3ZK8M?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I just bough this
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008J3ZK8M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Super easy to use. 2 days shipping from amazon, 2 days for the sample to arrive at the test lab, no more then 5 days for results.
No way to know what it is without a test. I used this kit. Results back in less than a week. https://www.amazon.com/Asbestos-Test-Bus-Days-Schneider/dp/B008J3ZK8M
lol I used this test kit for Asbestos which worked out great. They send you a kit with everything you need. You put material in the bag, fill out the forms, put it in their pre-labeled shipping bag and drop it off in the mail. I got my results via email. You can also log into their website to get your results.
I used this kit for lead tests on paint. First kit I bought and sat on for months and months before finally using it. It has a strip you can test to make sure it's working and when I did it the color wasn't what it was supposed to be so I bought a second kit and it worked correctly.
The Abestos kit is done at an actual lab so I assume it is accurate. The lead one...I just have to assume the kit actually works. Like I said they have a test strip to confirm the test is accurate.
Looks like insulation to me but only way to know is a test kit
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008J3ZK8M/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008J3ZK8M/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Super easy to use test lot with quick resulta
First, find out if it's asbestos: https://www.amazon.com/Asbestos-Test-Bus-Days-Schneider/dp/B008J3ZK8M
Then, if you're going to remove it, get a high-quality respirator and be smart about it (wash clothes, immediately shower, etc). Yes, if you do it for a living you should have all sorts of fancy equipment but exposing yourself to a little asbestos isn't going to kill you. It's a naturally occurring substance that is always in the air. In fact we all breathe in millions of fibers a year.