How to Remove a Textured Ceiling

If you're tired of looking at your textured ceiling and all the dust that collects in the texturing, then you need to read on. For a new look, you'll have to remove the textured ceiling. Removing a textured ceiling is not impossible, but it certainly can be messy.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plastic sheeting
• Tape
• 1 cup ammonia
• 1 cup fabric softener
• 1 gallon water
• Bucket for mixing solution
• Pump sprayer
• Floor squeegee
• Sandpaper
• Joint compound
• Oil-based sealant
• Ceiling paint

1. Remove all furniture from the area and cover the flooring with plastic that is taped down before beginning this project. The removal process is messy.

2. Mix a batch of soaking solution. The solution consists of 1 cup of ammonia, 1 cup of fabric softener and 1 gallon of water.

3. Apply the mixture to the ceiling with a pump sprayer. Make certain to cover it evenly. Let it soak in for about 15 minutes and reapply. As you are working, reapply as needed to dampen but not soak the ceiling material.

4. Scrape the texturing, which should now be soft, with a floor squeegee. It should come off readily. Once the ceiling has dried, lightly sand to smooth the surface.

5. Fill in any areas that are damaged with joint compound. Sand smooth and seal the ceiling with an oil-based product. Paint the color desired.

Tips & Warnings

• If your house was built before the 1970's, it may have asbestos in the texturing. If so, don't remove it. Always err on the side of caution. Simply staple a 2 mm plastic over the ceiling and cover it with sheet rock.

[jennyjoy]

on 9/29/2007 Need help! Years ago my husband and I used texture paint on our living room and dining room ceilings. We were far from pros (and way too adaptable) so for 20 years we have had 2 vertical lines (parallel to each other & about 4 feet apart) on the ceiling. Now it's time to spruce the place up a bit. Can we get rid of the lines and "even up" the look without totally removing the paint? We can't get the same paint (since it was ages ago!) so do we try to sand it down a bit and apply another textured paint or can we possibly improve the situation by simply painting the ceiling with normal ceiling paint? Is help on the way??!! We'd appreciate any tips one may have!