Condo, Apartment and HOA Management: Your Tenants are Tired of Popcorn Ceilings
If you own or manage an apartment building or housing complex, it’s your responsibility to maintain and alter the major aspects of your property. Otherwise, your units will lose their market value and appeal. In other words, if you want to attract and retain more tenants, you have to keep your property up to date. This means that it’s probably time for those decades-old popcorn ceilings to go. Your current tenants are sick of them, and they’re bound to turn off any prospective tenants, too. A good idea is to get a residential interior painting done.
But what’s the problem with popcorn ceilings anyway? And is popcorn ceiling removal even worth the time and effort? Let’s explore these matters.
Why HOAs Should Remove Popcorn Ceilings
Popcorn Ceilings are Out of Style
Simply put, popcorn ceilings are outdated, and they’ve been that way since before the turn of the century. This isn’t meant to insult anyone who truly enjoys the look of their popcorn ceilings, of course. It’s just that, generally speaking, those seeking to rent an apartment or condominium prefer more modern interiors. The sight of popcorn ceilings is a good indication that the place hasn’t been updated in a while (at least not the ceilings).
Popcorn Ceilings Can Affect Interior Air Quality and Cleanliness
The texture of popcorn ceilings is meant to hide surface imperfections, and it does a good job of it. However, any type of textured ceiling tends to hold on to dirt, dust, and other airborne particles. These lingering particles can get inhaled by occupants, which can lead to allergic responses and respiratory issues. Plus, those particles, along with the textured material itself, will gradually fall down and cover the surfaces below, so frequent cleaning is required. Unfortunately, cleaning a popcorn ceiling is challenging due to its roughness. Therefore, companies prefer commercial interior painting for their showrooms and offices.
Asbestos is Major Liability
At best, popcorn ceilings look antiquated and are difficult to maintain. At worst, they can harbor asbestos, in which case, it’s imperative to act accordingly. When popcorn ceilings were at their peak in the mid-20th century, their formulas often contained asbestos, a harmful substance. It wasn’t until the 1980s that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completely banned the use of asbestos in construction materials and consumer goods. So, any popcorn ceilings that were installed before or during the 1980s may contain asbestos. Landlords are generally liable for any asbestos-related harm that comes to tenants, so containment removal is crucial. This is why it’s so important to have your ceilings inspected for asbestos prior to hiring a popcorn ceiling removal service.
Is Popcorn Ceiling Removal Worth it?
The cost of popcorn ceiling removal will vary based on the size and scope of the project, as well as the contractor you hire. Still, you might not want to pay for these services at all, especially if you’re finding enough tenants and haven’t gotten any complaints regarding your ceilings. However, you must weigh the short-term costs against the long-term benefits of removing your popcorn ceilings. You’ll have to install new ceilings at some point, and even this small adjustment will make your property far more marketable and valuable as a whole. Plus, smooth ceilings are easier to clean and maintain than popcorn ceilings, and they’ll help facilitate better indoor air quality.
Last but certainly not least, you may be legally required to invest in dustless popcorn ceiling removal if your ceilings do indeed contain asbestos. In this instance, the cost of these services pales in comparison to the fines and penalties you would otherwise pay for keeping asbestos in your building (if you maintained ownership).
Let Us Help You Improve Your Properties
If it’s time to take care of those popcorn ceilings for good, the pros at Anderson Painting can help. For more about our popcorn ceiling removal services and everything else we do, call us today at 919-610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!
