How to Remove Popcorn Ceiling
Posted on February 28, 2022
Popcorn ceiling texturing was introduced as an alternative to the stomp texture, popular in the 1970’s. Popcorn ceiling texture is typically made from polystyrene and sprayed onto a ceiling with a machine called a hopper. Popcorn ceiling texturing is done to break up smooth, flat ceilings and cover any blemishes remaining from the drywall finishing. However, popcorn ceilings can fall out of fashion, so today we will discuss the popular methods the pros use to remove a popcorn ceiling.
Have a Sample Tested
Prior to 1977-78, popcorn ceiling products were allowed to include asbestos in the mixture, just as it was in household paint products. Even after the ban of asbestos in 1978, it is believed that stockpiles lasted for several years after. The best way to determine the presence of asbestos is to send a sample to a testing lab. If the sample is positive, you can simply cover up the popcorn with another texture, install ceiling tiles, or other method that encapsulates the popcorn. If the sample is negative, it can be safely removed by scraping.
Prepare For a Mess
Removing popcorn is a messy job in most instances. The pros will usually empty a room and place drop cloths all around to catch some of the dust. There are products available to minimize the mess, such as those that include a vacuum. However, the majority of the time, popcorn removal will create lots of dust.
Use Steady, Even Pressure
The most common method of removing popcorn ceiling texture is to place warm water in a spray bottle and lightly moisten the material. After five minutes or so, the process is repeated until the popcorn begins to peel away from the ceiling. Using a wide, dull scraper, the pros simply peel off the popcorn using steady, even pressure. Doing so prevents gouging the ceiling with the scraper. After the material has been removed, it can be wet sanded to remove any additional debris and primered.
Wear Safety Gear
It is very important to wear protective gear when removing popcorn ceiling texture. Even if the material does not contain asbestos, it will still contain silica, which is a lung irritant. The pros recommend gloves, eye protection, and above all a respirator. Popcorn ceiling materials (containing no asbestos of course) can be collected and taken to any local recycling center for safe discarding.
