If you’re pondering how to get rid of popcorn ceiling, we’ve got you covered. While textured ceilings find a place in some rustic home designs, few ceiling finishes can date a room like the popcorn ceiling texture.
Occasionally referred to as stucco or acoustic ceilings, these crumbly, textured finishes were all the rage in the mid-20th century and have been a source of frustration for homeowners ever since.
Their popularity surged because this treatment absorbed sound, concealed imperfections in the ceiling, and reduced costs, as there was no need for paint.
However, popcorn ceilings come with several issues, as they tend to attract dust, are notoriously challenging to clean and repair, and are somewhat unattractive.
Fortunately, if you’re interested in a light home improvement project, opting to remove popcorn ceilings is a feasible DIY endeavor. While it is time-consuming, scraping off a popcorn ceiling provides a straightforward way to renovate a room with a smooth ceiling.
Before Commencing the Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Prior to initiating the removal process, there are a few crucial things you need to know to ensure a smooth and safe popcorn ceiling removal.
Testing for Asbestos Before Starting the Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Before embarking on the removal process, have a professional inspect your popcorn ceiling or obtain a DIY asbestos test kit.
The popcorn ceiling texture not only served as an excellent sound absorber but also functioned as a fire retardant, which significantly increases the likelihood of asbestos content in the material.
Prior to the 1980s, lead-based paint and asbestos were commonly used in home finishes.
If your ceilings test positive for asbestos, you should either hire a licensed asbestos abatement professional to remove the popcorn ceiling or consider an alternative removal method, such as affixing drywall over it.
Asbestos is a carcinogen and a known cause of lung cancer, so be sure to wear proper protective gear if conducting a DIY test.
Consult the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for comprehensive information on health effects and safe asbestos removal guidelines.
Gather the Necessary Tools and Materials
Assuming your space is asbestos-free, you are ready to remove that popcorn texture. Although this process is time-consuming, the required materials are basic, and a single trip to the hardware store will suffice.
There’s a possibility you may already have all the tools needed for popcorn ceiling removal:
- Putty knife, drywall taping knife, or some form of scraper
- Painter’s tape
- Plastic sheeting or drop cloth
- Ladder
- Eye protection (safety goggles)
- Dust mask
- (Optional) Spray bottle filled with warm water
Safeguard Walls, Floors, and Yourself
The primary approach to removing popcorn ceiling is to scrape it off bit by bit. As you can imagine, this process can be quite messy. Therefore, it’s essential to take measures to protect yourself, the room, and your belongings.
You’ll want to have an abundance of plastic sheeting and drop cloths on hand to shield the walls and floors of your room from the inevitable dust generated during the removal process.
Secure the sheeting to the walls using painter’s tape and try to clear the room as much as possible to minimize post-project cleanup.
Expect the project to be time-consuming. Professional estimates, as well as those from experienced DIYers, suggest that removing 500 square feet of popcorn ceiling requires approximately 20 hours of work.
If you’re less experienced, the process will take longer. Above all, plan on taking frequent breaks.
Given the hours spent atop a ladder during a multi-day project, it’s crucial not to overexert yourself. Ensure you wear the necessary protective gear: safety goggles and a well-fitting dust mask.
Prepare the Workspace
Clear the Space of All Furniture and Belongings
First and foremost, commence by removing all furniture from your workspace. Not only will furniture in the room obstruct your ladder access, but the debris from scraped popcorn ceiling bits can result in, at best, a labor-intensive cleanup and, at worst, permanent damage to your belongings.
If you’re unable to completely clear the room, consolidate any remaining furniture in a living room or a spacious area. Then, shield them with plastic sheeting, a tarp, or drop cloths to prevent potential damage.
Remove Ceiling Fixtures
Your room may be equipped with ceiling light fixtures. Turn off the breaker to the workspace, and subsequently, uninstall any lighting or ceiling fans. Although it might seem more convenient to leave them in place, they’ll merely hinder your progress during the removal process.
Furthermore, they will become covered in popcorn scrapings, making the cleanup significantly more challenging.
If you have recessed lights, take precautions by stuffing them with newspaper to protect them from water in case you decide to spray your popcorn ceiling.
Shield Electrical Boxes
After disabling the power supply to the workspace, apply painter’s tape to cover electric boxes or any other exposed wiring areas.
This will help keep them clean throughout the popcorn removal process and safeguard them from any incidental water spray.
Overlap the sides of the box with painter’s tape and use a utility knife to trim the edges to ensure unobstructed access for scraping the popcorn ceiling around it.
Open Windows and Secure Vents
To facilitate better air quality during the DIY project, open the windows in the room.
However, to prevent your HVAC system from circulating dust, it’s essential to deactivate your HVAC and cover vents and electrical outlets with plastic sheeting.
Cover the Entire Room with Sheet
Scraping popcorn ceiling creates quite a mess, so make sure you drape plastic sheeting or drop cloths over all the walls and floors, securing the corners with painter’s tape as needed.
It is recommended to use plastic sheeting rather than canvas drop cloths, as the latter can absorb water from spraying and scraping.
Do not remove the plastic sheeting once the ceiling has been scraped, as it will serve to catch any additional mess generated during the patching and repair process.
Eliminate the Popcorn Ceiling
As mentioned earlier, the process of removing popcorn ceilings is time-consuming. Once the room is adequately prepared, the necessary tools are at your disposal, and you’re wearing protective gear, you’re ready to begin.
There are two methods for scraping popcorn ceilings: wet and dry. Experts have varying opinions on the preferred method.
Wet Scrape Popcorn Ceiling
If you choose to wet scrape your popcorn ceiling, use a spray bottle or garden sprayer filled with warm water to moisten a small area, approximately 3 or 4 square feet.
Exercise caution not to saturate the area excessively, as this can result in water damage to the underlying drywall. Working in small sections will make the project more manageable and prevent the ceiling from drying out prematurely.
After wetting, allow 10-15 minutes before scraping. Utilize your putty knife or scraper of choice to gently run it along the ceiling, avoiding excessive gouging.
Repeat the process of spraying, waiting, and scraping in small sections until the entire ceiling is covered. Some areas may require multiple passes for thorough removal.
Dry Scrape Popcorn Ceiling
Dry scraping popcorn ceilings is a more straightforward process than wet scraping. While remaining careful not to gouge the ceiling, work in small sections and gently scrape the ceiling until all the popcorn texture has been removed.
If you want to minimize the risk of gouging, consider smoothing the edges of your scraper using a file or sander.
Patch the Ceiling
Take advantage of the sheeted and prepared room to address any finishing and taping requirements for the ceiling. It’s likely that you’ll encounter some damaged drywall, tape, gouges, or newly discovered imperfections following the removal of the popcorn ceiling.
Now is the ideal time to rectify these issues with a skim coat of joint compound before utilizing a sander to achieve a smooth ceiling surface.
Subsequently, apply a fresh coat of paint and re-install fixtures as you see fit on your newly-smooth ceilings.
Cover the Popcorn Ceiling with Drywall
Contemplating covering your popcorn ceiling with drywall has several advantages. If your ceilings test positive for asbestos, it’s a way to avoid releasing the hazardous material into the air.
Furthermore, if your ceiling is substantially damaged or requires HVAC or electrical reconfiguration, you can directly cut through the popcorn ceiling without needing to patch it, as it will be concealed. You may also prefer to avoid a messy and time-consuming project, all of which are valid reasons.
If you opt to cover your popcorn ceiling, you can apply ceiling-grade gypsum boards directly over the popcorn ceiling.
Be prepared to install the drywall using a drywall lift, secure the sheets, apply joint compound, tape, sand, and paint.
While drywalling a ceiling is a DIY project in its own right, it provides a legitimate alternative to scraping off your popcorn ceiling.
For those embarking on the journey of removing a popcorn ceiling – we salute your determination.
tag: # Get Rid of Popcorn Ceiling
