Even though it was banned in ca. in the mid seventies, it's my understanding that suppliers still sold asbestos laced product into the early eighties , ( surplus out of their warehouses). You can have a small sample tested yourself typically for free or a minimal charge at an hazardous abatement center in your area. Look in the govt. section of your phone book.

I do have info on testing labs, thanks. The issue here is whether finding out there is asbestos is something best avoided by a homeowner by instead... via an authorized asbestos removal contractor ... taking all the precautions for removal that one would take if one knew it contained asbestos. (In terms of disclosures as a seller later on etc.)

If you have asbestos laced ceilings and have it professionally removed by a licensed, reputale abatement contractor, when the project is complete, they have moniters that take readings all around the house to make sure that they were thorough and will sign off on it if so. If not, they are required to do what they have to to ensure the home is safe. Imo, I dont know why you would have to bring it up in the event of re-sale as obviously you will be doing something else to finish off the ceilings, but it would be nice to have that certificate in your records in the event that the potential buyers bring the subject up such as: " didn't these home originally have acoustic ,( popcorn ), ceilings that might have been asbestos laced? Your certificate would provide proof of safe and legal removal by a licensed removeal outfit stamped and signed off.

cinnamon-
A removal if it's not asbestos is cheap compared to what is involved if it's asbestos. I don't understand the logic of not testing (which should cost about $50), and then paying for an expensive removal if ti's not necessary. And if it is asbestos, you can have it properly removed...then there is either nothing to report to a buyer, or you have the documentation that it was all properly removed. Once it's gone it's gone, as long as the removal was done properly.

totsuka-
Sorry to say this, but you're wrong. Asbestos was frequently used in popcorn ceilings: the fibers helped to hold the popcorn goo together and it was touted as being fire resistant. Here is a link if you don't believe me...

Here is a link that might be useful: Popcorn ceilings

I would do the test. Removal is much cheaper if it does not contain asbestos, and disclosure is not a big deal since so many 1960's and 70's houses contain asbestos in the popcorn ceiling. The ceilings are not dangerous as long as the surface is not disturbed. When we bought our last house in CA, the living room, hall and 2 guest rooms still had the popcorn ceilings. We wanted the ceilings in the living room and hall re-textured to match the kitchen and family room. Tests showed the ceiling contained asbestos, so we paid for the expensive haz-mat style removal. When we sold the house, we filled out the standard disclosure forms during the escrow period. We disclosed that the popcorn in the 2 bedrooms likely contained asbestos because other rooms tested positive. The buyer did not even question it. If you are having all the popcorn in your house removed, you may not have to disclose anything since the material is removed (ask your agent). However, I do not think a buyer would be bothered by a disclosure that the house once had asbestos popcorn ceilings that were properly removed and you have a certificate showing proper removal.

I, too, would get the ceiling material tested and then have it appropriately removed. There was once either asbestos or lead, more likely both, in many houses (likely most houses) built before the 1980s.

I doubt any buyer would care that there had, at one time in the past, been a material that contained some asbestos in that house. It would be gone, at least from the popcorn ceiling. If our imaginary squeamish buyer is going to care about that, he or she will probably have to buy new construction, which frankly poses its own health hazards.

I completely understand the concern, but would test and remove despite that potentially squeamish buyer. You want to do the appropriate removal for your own health--so test it.

Sometimes, obviously suspicious things turn out not to contain asbestos! (Once we had our really weird looking insulation material retested just to reassure ourselves.)

Good luck! Jis