Hi All the Sifus outthere,


Attached here are the photos of my kitchen ceiling, about 15 years old , 8 FT(W)X20 FT (L). Kindly let me know are they made of asbestos . My contractors do not understand English. They told me they are " Far Pan or Fui Pan" (Cantonese).

I'm going to renovate my old kitchen. There're small cracks /gaps on the surface of the ceiling. My contactor advised me not to replace them with plaster ceiling as they are're not easy to maintain (leakage problem). So he will apply silicon paste for the cracks and repaint them with "Water Paint". According to him, they are better , more solid and lasting compared to plaster ceiling. He will charge Rm700 for that.

My main concern if they are asbestos ceiling. Should i replace them with cement board or gypsum board or anything there are solid and lasting ? Please advise . Thank you in advanced.

Might as well upgrade to gypsum, it has paper that conseal the plaster inside. Hence, lesser chance of powdering into your kitchen and food.

Also, this plaster ceiling has design on it. Getting a replacement now or future is not easy. Gypsum is basically simple and easily available in the market.

I think asbestos until now is still not totally banned in Malaysia.

https://www.dosh.gov.my/index.php/chemical-...ment-v/asbestos

Most common is white asbestos or Chrysotile.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23885771/

Well, if the asbestos product is intact and in good condition, it is not dangerous. The danger is when cutting asbestos ceiling that the dust from it may get inhaled. Right now DOSH has procedure on how to manage it safely in factory.

Your textured ceiling might or night not contain asbestos. Some even mix of fiber and asbestos. Just assume it contains asbestos. For me, if the ceiling is fixed and painted, it is still safe.

Yes, plaster ceiling is annoying. If small leak in roof even dripping water makes a hole in it. I don't like it because of fragility. I'd prefer put plywood