How to Remove Stipple Ceilings
Stipple ceilings became a big hit in the late 70s as tract housing started to spring up all around the country. The housing booms of the 80s and the late 90s through the early 2000s fueled the market for this ceiling finish, partially since it was both faster and more economical than finishing drywall ceilings and partially since it was a popular design element. Now that the stippled look is fading in popularity, many homeowners are looking for easy ways to remove stipple ceilings. Luckily, with some patience, a wide joint knife and a giant spray bottle, stipple-free ceilings are a weekend away. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Remove as much furniture as possible from the room. It is easiest and safest to work in an empty room, but bulky furniture can be worked around if needed.
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2
Cover the floors with a waterproof tarp, and remove any area rugs from the floor.
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3
Using a large garden sprayer filled with clean water, spray the stipple ceiling with water. Work on about a third of the ceiling at a time. Allow the water to soak in the stipple coating for a few minutes, then spray a second application of water.
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4
Use a wide-bladed putty knife or a 10- or 12-inch joint compound knife to peel the stipple from the ceiling, taking care not to gouge the ceiling with the corners of the knife. Once the stipple is wet, it should peel off fairly easily, so wet any stubborn areas again.
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5
Repeat the process to remove the stipple from the rest of the ceiling.
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6
Remove the tarps from the floor by lifting up the corners and moving them toward each other. This will cause the water to pool in the middle of the tarp. Carefully lift the tarp up by the corners, and carry it outside to dump the water.
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7
Set up portable fans in the room and aim them at the ceiling, or turn on the ceiling fan in the room to its highest speed and reverse the spin to circulate air toward the ceiling. This will dry any water that made it through the stipple and onto the drywall ceiling.
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