Painting these ceilings can be rather difficult and requiresthick-nap roller covers.
It also requires a lot of paint, since the texture soaks up paint like a sponge.
Besides that, textured ceilings catch and trap dust and are notoriously difficult to clean.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
They can make a room look smaller because the peaks create dark shadows.
Removing your popcorn ceilings should take one to two days, including time to let them dry between steps.
The first step in removal is to test for asbestos.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
If the popcorn texture waspainted, there is also a possibility that the paint contained lead additives.
To be safe, conduct testing for asbestos and lead before you proceed.
Always wear breathing protection as you scrape the texture or conduct the at-home tests.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Before You Begin
Popcorn ceiling removal creates a great amount of waste.
Consider any exposed surface to be a potential recipient of wet, goopy texture product.
Cover the flooring with the thicker 6-mil plastic sheeting.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Spray the Ceiling
Fill the sprayer with warm water and pump it to raise the pressure.
Lightly spray a 4-foot square test area of the ceiling and let it sit.
This is said to help in softening the texture material.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Scrape off the Texture
After the water has been absorbed, scrape away the texture material.
Use the wide scraper at first.
Push into the softened texture until the edge of the blade touches the drywall or plaster.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Then tilt the scraper to a low angle and push the scraper forward.
The textured material should now have the consistency of cottage cheese and should easily come off and fall down.
If great force is needed, the material is still too dry; wet it again.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Work in similarly small areas of about 4 to 16 square feet.
Do not wet the entire ceiling at once, as sections will dry before you could get to them.
The narrower scrapers work best along the edges and in corners.
Specialized texture scrapers, such as theHomax Ceiling Texture Scraper, are designed specifically for removing ceiling texture.
That particular scraper is designed to attach a plastic bag for catching the texture residue.
Warning
You’ll likely be using a step ladder to reach the ceiling.
Removing ceiling texture can be a wet and messy process.
Drywall has a paper backing and a gypsum core that both hold water for a long period.
Increasing the temperature and air ventilation will help speed the drying process.
Allow the room to dry for a full 24 hours after removing the ceiling texture.
Fix Ceiling Damage
Gouges, scratches, and shallow holes are inevitable byproducts of ceiling scraping.
Clean yourscraping toolsand use them to apply spackle or dust-control drywall compound to these areas.
Sand smooth with #100 or higherfine-grit sandpaper.
Wipe the ceiling clean after sanding.
The ceiling is now ready for priming and painting.
Many homeowners choose to cover their popcorn ceilings rather than remove them, especially whenasbestos is found.
Hire an asbestos removal professional if you are concerned about the presence of asbestos in your home.
If you find that it contains asbestos, you canpaint over a popcorn ceilingto seal in the fibers.
Asbestos Exposure and Reducing Exposure.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Lead In Paint.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Regulatory status of waste generated by contractors and residents from lead-based paint activities conducted in households.Environmental Protection Agency.
What Does Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost?HomeAdvisor.
