Strange-looking fibers hanging from popcorn ceiling!? HELP

[AmitHeaven888]

I have noticed something really strange under my popcorn ceiling. There are hundreds or thousands of these fibers (?) hanging down from the popcorn ceiling in my house built around 1982. They are like strands of fiber with varying vertical length (few mm to 5cm); they are transparent and seem to be collecting dust or some other particles. The cores are as thin as a strand of hair and is NOT metal. Because of varying sizes, they seem like they could "grow"!? I snapped one off (and it breaks like plastic between ceiling and the strand) and tried to break its body apart, and they break easily like many strands of individual fibers forming a bigger strand. It is very spooky, does anyone know what they are? And how I should remove them safely? Thanks.

Untitled

• AmitHeaven888
• 15 Jun 2013
• 1

Untitled

• AmitHeaven888
• 15 Jun 2013
• 1

Untitled

• AmitHeaven888
• 15 Jun 2013
• 1

 

[rjm2k]

Insect cocoon of some sort? Difficult to see on the photos, but is there a hole in the ceiling where they are "growing from"?

 

[AmitHeaven888]

No there is no hole in the ceiling where these strands attached.

 

[rjm2k]

I would say insects then, get your vacuum cleaner out and clear them off.

 

[PAGroup123]

Are they fibres or as someone suggested insect???

Artex in the 80's contained Asbestos, what are you doing to the ceiling?

 

[AmitHeaven888]

We are not doing anything to the ceiling. Any way to decide if it is insect or asbestos without lab test?

 

[rjm2k]

You would probably need to get someone out who specialises in asbestos removal to find out for sure, is it your own home or rented?

 

[wallcoatingsbloke]

It could very likely be asbestos and if it is DO NOT TOUCH IT OR REMOVE IT. Asbestos contains fibres, which when you break the tiles, they are released into the air in your home.

The fibres then get inhaled thru your mouth or nose and then aggressively stick the sides of your lungs, eventually causing mesolothima, asbestosis of the lungs. I may have spelt that wrong?

You should NOT try and remove any more and get an asbestos specialist to look at it. Then you have a choice, if it is asbestos, you are best off sealing it and covering over. Or removal by a specialist form which is expensive. Asbestos is HIGHLY dangerous.

 

[JohnD]

very much more likely to be cobweb.

AFAIK Artex-type coatings did not have long fibres in, because they were sold as a cement-like powder that you mixed with water. Most Artex does not have asbestos in it. The sort that does will only release it if you insist on sanding or scraping it dry. and releasing dust.

 

[Jaidge]

Yep. I've seen this phenomena before. This is caused by a creature known as a Tegenaria Domestica, or "House Spider".

 

[cajar]

Asbestos cobwebs? bloody hell now I have heard everything.

 

[OwainDIYer]

I agree with cobweb.

Thank you for reminding me why I don't want to artex my ceilings.

 

[loply]

I've found similar fibres in places in my house too.

Corners of ceilings particularly in the lesser used rooms, behind radiators, and loads under the coffee table. I think I saw some in the salad drawer too.

I'm glad I now know it's asbestos and will call in a contractor right away!