For totally mess-free popcorn ceiling removal, attach a six-inch spackle knife to the hose of a shop vac using duct tape. As the spackle knife scraps off the popcorn texture, the shop vac sucks up all the dust and debris.
What is the best way to clean a popcorn ceiling?
Preparing to Clean a Popcorn Ceiling
- Dusting an Acoustic Ceiling. If your main concerns are dust and spiderwebs, cleaning a popcorn ceiling isn’t too difficult. ...
- Removing Stains from a Popcorn Ceiling. ...
- Leave the Everyday Cleaning to Merry Maids®. ...
What to do after removing a popcorn ceiling?
What to Do After Removing Popcorn Ceiling?
- Wait for a Day. It is important to wait for a day to allow the ceiling to dry properly. ...
- Fix the Damages. When you remove the popcorn ceiling, damages, faults, flaws, imperfections are often revealed underneath.
- Sanding the Surface. As soon as you have repaired the damages and done some work on the faults, you need to give it time to dry.
- Paint. ...
How do you get rid of a popcorn ceiling?
- Clear out the room or move 1/2 of the furniture into the other 1/2 and cover it.
- Cover the clear area of the floor with an inexpensive plastic dropcloth.
- Using a 1 gallon garden sprayer, wet the ceiling with a fine spray of warm water to which a tablespoon of Dawn dish soap has been added.
How to get rid of popcorn ceilings without scraping?
To effectively hide your textured ceiling with wood planks, follow the procedure detailed below:
- Locate the rafters – using a stud finder, situate the ceiling joists and mark them out using tape or a marker pen. ...
- Cut out light fixture holes – using a jigsaw, create holes for the lighting fixtures and vents on the wood planks.
- Install the wood planks- install the wood planks by nailing them down to the popcorn ceiling. ...
Can you remove popcorn ceiling without making a mess?
Any Popcorn Ceiling can be easily removed without a mess by using the Popcorn Ceiling Removal Bucket tool to catch and contain the popcorn texture as it is scraped away from the ceiling.
How do you clean dust off a popcorn ceiling without making a mess?
Use a vacuum with the widest brush attachment to gently remove dust and cobwebs from the ceiling's surface. You can use a soft-bristled broom or feather duster instead, brushing the dust onto the covered floor.
What is the cleanest way to remove popcorn ceiling?
2:3318:13Best way to remove popcorn ceilings - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow you don't need to have this this is probably the cleanest way to do it because normally. WhatMoreNow you don't need to have this this is probably the cleanest way to do it because normally. What people do is spray the ceiling down and just scrape it and all that stuff just falls on the floor.
What's the easiest way to scrape a popcorn ceiling?
“Use a wide putty knife or drywall taping knife and gently run it along the wet ceiling,” he says. Be careful not to gouge the ceiling beneath. (Filing the edges of your putty knife can help avoid gouges.) Make your way around the room, until all the texture has been removed.
How do you make popcorn ceilings look good?
When looking for a way to dress up a ceiling with texture while also hiding that popcorn texture, consider adding wood or wood paneling. Covering the ceiling with tongue and groove wood planks, bead board, or another rustic wood plank or panel is a creative way to add interest to the ceiling and update the space.
How do you clean high popcorn ceilings?
Grab a stepladder and give one of these three methods a try:Vacuum. This may be the easiest and most straightforward method of cleaning popcorn ceilings. ... Feather Duster. ... Lint Roller. ... Option 1: Warm water and liquid dish soap. ... Option 2: Water and bleach. ... Option 3: Paint.
Is it worth it to remove popcorn ceiling?
In short, removing a popcorn ceiling can increase your home value. However, particular circumstances can affect its impact. Removing popcorn ceilings from a smaller home may not be a good use of renovation money. As long as it's in good condition, a fresh coat of paint may be the better option due to cost.
How do you change a popcorn ceiling to smooth?
Step one: Cover the floor. ... Step two: Spray down the ceiling with a vinegar mixture and let soak. ... Step three: Scrape the paint from the ceiling. ... Step four: Scrape the popcorn texture from the ceiling. ... Step five: Coat the ceiling with topping compound. ... Step six: Sand the ceiling.
How much does it cost to scrape popcorn ceiling?
Written by HomeAdvisor. On average, the price for removing a popcorn ceiling falls between $1 and $2 per square foot, with the average homeowner spending around $1,882. After considering labor and the room size, most homeowners spend between $899 and $2,870 on the project.
Is it better to skim coat or remove popcorn ceiling?
Covering the popcorn ceiling can save you headaches, money, and time in the long run compared to removing it. One benefit of covering popcorn ceilings is that you can cut holes in the ceiling without worrying about fussy repairs such as adding light fixtures, run networking cables, and install ceiling fans.
How do you remove a popcorn ceiling with vacuum?
0:191:08How to remove / scrape your popcorn ceiling CLEANLY, no ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut I've made a better way as you can see what I've done here is taken a 6-inch spackle knife andMoreBut I've made a better way as you can see what I've done here is taken a 6-inch spackle knife and simply just duct taped it to the end of my shot back. And if you watch here it works very.
What is the cheapest way to cover a popcorn ceiling?
The cheapest ways to cover up a popcorn ceiling without removing it is by installing readily prepared ceiling planks right over it. You can also use ceiling-grade drywall panels or large pieces of fabric to conceal the texture. Panting the ceiling with eccentric shades is also a great option.
How do you clean dust off a textured ceiling?
Dusting a Textured Ceiling Use a broom or vacuum with a brush attachment to knock down cobwebs, remove dust, and loosen dirt. Because textured ceilings are typically more durable than popcorn ceilings, you can usually get most of the dirt and dust by sweeping the ceiling with medium pressure.
Do popcorn ceilings cause dust?
The bumpy texture of popcorn ceilings acts as a dust magnet. When dust accumulates in the ridges, it accentuates the shadows and can make it look gray and dingy. This collection of dust that may span the whole home can exacerbate allergies, so frequent cleaning can help relieve symptoms.
How do you clean popcorn walls?
Use Cleaning Agents When using bleach, the ratio should be: 1 part bleach and 5 parts water. Whereas, to clean popcorn walls and ceilings in your home using mild cleaning agents like detergent or vinegar, the mixture should contain equal parts water and cleaning agents.
How do you remove a popcorn ceiling with vacuum?
0:191:08How to remove / scrape your popcorn ceiling CLEANLY, no ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut I've made a better way as you can see what I've done here is taken a 6-inch spackle knife andMoreBut I've made a better way as you can see what I've done here is taken a 6-inch spackle knife and simply just duct taped it to the end of my shot back. And if you watch here it works very.
How Do I Know If My Popcorn Ceiling Has Asbestos?
Identifying whether your popcorn ceiling contains asbestos is the first step you need to take before cleaning it. The reality is that if your popcorn ceiling contains asbestos, not all cleaning methods will work.
What Is The Best Way To Clean Popcorn Ceiling?
The best way to clean the popcorn ceiling is to clean it as soon as you notice any damage. If your ceiling is beginning to crumble, falling, or revealing blisters, then you will be better off calling a professional to remove the popcorn ceiling and install a new one.
Washing A Popcorn Ceiling
If your ceiling doesn’t have asbestos, you can wash it. But before you do that, you need to prepare the room, collect all the necessary equipment, and wear protective clothing.
Painting Over The Popcorn Ceiling
When learning how to clean popcorn ceilings, you need to remember that you can only do so much with cleaning liquids and a sponge. Some stains are stubborn. So, if you use too much water, a significant chunk of your popcorn ceiling may disintegrate. Therefore, you may need to consider painting over the ceiling to clean it up.
Covering The Popcorn Ceiling With A Different Material
It would be tempting to want to scrape off your popcorn ceiling if it is dirty and you don’t want to paint it over, but that would be a very messy affair. So, what should you do?
Final Thoughts
Popcorn ceilings are challenging to clean. That’s because they have raised and depressed areas that create the 3D effect they are known for. To make matters worse, the obstacles to keeping these ceilings clean are much higher if your ceiling has asbestos.
Popcorn ceilings were all the rage back in the '60s and '70s. Applying the texture to drywall and plaster ceilings was a quick and easy way to hide imperfections and didn't require any painting afterward. But the rough texture catches lots of dust and cobwebs and it can be difficult to know how to remove popcorn ceiling. It can be a real pain to match if you have cracks or holes in need of patching. Figuring out how to remove a popcorn ceiling texture from a ceiling is a messy chore but worth the effort if the substrate underneath is in good shape. Here are some tips to take some of the pain out of popcorn ceiling removal
Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.
Do a Scrape Test
Before you go to all the trouble of prepping the room, try scraping a small area while learning how to remove popcorn ceiling. Try it dry first, then dampen the texture with water and try again. Some texture comes off easily without water, but in most cases wetting is best.
Test for Asbestos
Any popcorn ceiling installed before 1980 might contain asbestos —a known cause of lung cancer. Before trying to figure out how to remove any popcorn ceiling texture, contact your local health department and ask about getting a sample tested.
Prep for a Big Mess
Cover floors and walls with plastic drop cloths as you begin your how to remove popcorn ceiling project. Don’t use canvas drop cloths because water can soak through. Cleanup is easier with plastic too, because you can just ball it all up when you’re done working and throw it in the trash.
Get the Furniture Out
If possible, remove all furniture from the room you’ll be working in. When learning how to remove popcorn ceiling, it is messy work, and you won’t want furniture in your way every time you move the ladder around. If moving everything out of the room isn’t possible, cluster it and cover it with drop cloths.
Remove Ceiling Fixtures and Fans
You might think it’s easier to leave light fixtures and ceiling fans in place as you figure out how to remove popcorn ceiling, but they’ll just be in your way and get covered with wet popcorn. Plus, you don’t want to accidentally spray water into an electrical fixture.
Protect Can Lights From Water Spray
If you have recessed “can” lights, stuff newspaper or rosin paper inside them to keep them dry when completing a how to remove popcorn ceilings project. Also, make sure the power to those fixtures is turned off at the circuit breaker panel or fuse box.
Type and Quantity of Paint to Use
Interior acrylic-latex paint is the best type of paint to use for popcorn ceilings. Flat or matte is the traditional sheen for ceilings, since it reduces light bounce. If you need to protect your ceiling from moisture, though, use eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss paint sheens.
Paint, Cover, or Remove Popcorn Ceiling
Painting a popcorn ceiling is just one way to improve its appearance. For the long-term, it's helpful to weigh painting the ceiling against covering the ceiling or removing the popcorn texture.
Safety Considerations
Some popcorn ceilings may contain asbestos. Prior to 1978, when federal law banned its use, asbestos was added to ceiling texture for its resistance to heat. Plus, the asbestos fibers helped strengthen the material. Through research, asbestos 1 has been proven to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
Instructions
Remove all objects such as chairs, tables, lamps, or smaller items that can be removed from the room. Cover the entire floor and all remaining objects with 4-mil or thicker plastic sheeting. If possible, remove ceiling light fixtures and other obstructions. If not, tape around them with painter's tape .
Tips for Painting a Popcorn Ceiling Without Mess
Regulate the amount of paint on the roller cover. Popcorn texture needs a thick coat of paint, but too much paint can soak the texture, weakening it and causing it to fall.
How Much Does it Cost to Remove Popcorn Ceiling?
The national average for popcorn ceiling removal is $1,707, according to Home Advisor.
What is the Best Method for Removing Popcorn Ceilings?
Which is best? Depends on a lot of things, including the age and condition of the substrate (ceiling). We spoke with drywall and stucco expert Mike Poellinger, owner of Poellinger, Inc., in La Crosse, WI, who filled us in on everything a homeowner should know before deciding how to remove their popcorn ceiling.
How to Scrape a Popcorn Ceiling
When scraping popcorn ceilings, you'll want to use a 4-inch utility knife or a drywall knife to chip away at the texture and create a smooth surface. You'll probably need to skim it with a thin layer of joint compound to smooth out imperfections, then sand it smooth before repainting.
How to Cover up with Drywall
Affix ceiling-grade gypsum board, which weighs significantly less than standard wall board, right over the existing popcorn ceiling. You'll need to securely screw it into the framing and be proficient at mudding and taping for a seamless job.
Skim Coat on a New Design
Yes, it's still a texture, but according to Poellinger, it's making a comeback—and it's fairly easy for homeowners to do themselves.
Do Popcorn Ceilings Have Asbestos?
If your home was built between the 1950s and 1980s, there is a chance that the popcorn ceilings contain asbestos, according to the Mesothelioma Center. The best way to determine if your popcorn ceilings contain asbestos is to hire an abatement professional, or you can purchase a test kit.
Can you remove popcorn ceiling without making a mess?
The most common method people use to remove popcorn/acoustic ceiling texture is by scraping it off using a putty knife. This method is also called stucco removal. However- scraping the texture off while it is dry leaves behind a huge mess on the floor- and is relatively time-consuming.
How to Get Rid of Popcorn Ceiling without Scraping
You don’t have to create a mess by scraping dry popcorn texture off your drywall ceiling. Less messy alternatives exist, and we’ve discussed each of these below:
Best tool for removing popcorn ceiling?
POP EEZE popcorn ceiling scraper is a tool that can be attached to the hose of a shop vac for mess-free scraping of popcorn ceilings. This tool is much more effective and faster than traditional scraping using a putty knife- and creates significantly less mess. It’s, however, not recommended for use on acoustic ceilings that have been painted over.
Conclusion
For homes built pre-1980, it’s likely that your popcorn ceiling contains asbestos. It’s therefore advisable to send a sample of the texture for asbestos testing before scraping it. Asbestos has several health risks and it’s important to stay vigilant.