How to Remove Popcorn Ceiling
Popcorn is yummy and delightful, but not when your ceiling starts to look like it. An unpleasant popcorn texture can ruin the look of a room, but you don’t have to worry much, because there’s a way to get rid of this. It’s messy work, but the results will surely be pleasing.
What You’ll Need:
Drop cloths
Joint knife
Drywall joint compound
Pole sander
Clear plastic sheeting
Folding ladder
Gardener’s portable hand sprayer
Water
Dust mask
Eye goggles
Procedure:
If your ceiling is more than 20 years old, have it tested for asbestos first, before doing this project. Asbestos is very hazardous when airborne. It’s better if you let experts take care of this task.
popcorn ceiling
Clear the room. This is a very messy chore, so you have to make sure to move out furniture and appliances from the room. Otherwise, they’ll be covered with debris. Use heavy duty plastic sheeting or drop cloths to cover the floor and other surfaces. Light fixtures should also be taken away, so you’ll have an easier time working and you can avoid accidental damage.
Set up a folding ladder on the area where you’ll be working. Make sure it’s secure on the ground, so you won’t fall off. Wear eye goggles and a dust mask, to protect yourself.
Get the portable hand sprayer, fill it with water, and use it to spray the popcorn ceiling. Allow it to soak for a minute, then spray it again. The popcorn material is porous and dry, so it soaks the water easily when you spray.
Get your drywall joint knife and use it to scrape the popcorn off. It will come off easily. Hold it against the ceiling at a 45 degree angle, then push it way from you, with an even, strong stroke. If the popcorn ceiling doesn’t scrape off, spray it with water again. You may need to pass an area several times before it becomes smooth.
Remember, use a broad knife that you can handle easily, but without getting tired quickly. A blade that’s too wide can lead to gouged ceilings.
Continue scraping until all the texture is removed, and the ceiling is as smooth as possible. Afterward, sand the whole area using a screen and a sanding pole. This will allow you to work on the floor. You can also use a medium-grit sandpaper, but this may be a bit difficult.
Inspect the ceiling carefully. If there are rough spots or gouges, you’ll need to fill them with drywall joint compound. Let them dry, then sand the area again.
Remove the drop cloths and plastic sheeting and put in heavy duty bags to be thrown away. Vacuum remaining debris.
Popcorn ceiling can make a room less classy and more cluttered, so if your place has this dilemma, better fix it immediately. It’s a messy and difficult chore, but when you see your ceiling smooth and neat, you’ll feel that it’s worth it.