How to Remove a Pop Corn Ceiling
Acoustic ceilings with popcorn texture are a trademark of older homes. Many homeowners want to update the old ceiling to a more modern look but don't have the money to hire a professional to remove the old ceiling texture, and they have no idea how to go about doing the job themselves. Removing a popcorn ceiling requires more preparation than execution and is a job most homeowners can manage in a single weekend without expensive tools. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Plastic sheeting
- Masking tape
- Absorbent paper or old towels
- Garden sprayer
- Scraper or putty knife
Instructions
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1
Move all furniture and decorations out of the room or to the center of the room, and cover them with plastic.
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2
Turn off the circuit breaker to the room, and remove ceiling fixtures such as lights or ceiling fans. Leave the circuit breaker off.
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3
Cover the floor with thick plastic sheeting, and run the sheeting one foot up the walls. Tape the sheeting in place with masking tape.
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4
Cover all electrical receptacles with plastic, and tape the plastic in place with masking tape.
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5
Tape the top of every wall with masking tape just beneath the ceiling.
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6
Place absorbent paper, such as rosin paper or old towels, on the floor to prevent slipping.
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7
Spray water on a five-foot square section of the ceiling using a garden sprayer. Wet the ceiling thoroughly but do not saturate the ceiling, or the water will damage the sheetrock.
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8
Scrape the texture from the ceiling with a scraper or putty knife. Some of the texture will fall from the ceiling simply due to the water. Continue to wet sections of the ceiling, and scrape off the texture until the entire ceiling is bare.
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Roll up the absorbent paper or towels and discard or wash. If you are immediately refinishing your ceiling, leave the plastic sheeting in place.
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Tips & Warnings
For stubborn pieces of texture, use a hand-held spray bottle to apply more water to that section, and scrape the texture away. Sheetrock joints may come loose from the water. Repair all sagging joints before attempting to refinish the ceiling.
If your ceiling was installed prior to 1980, ask your local EPA office to test a piece of the popcorn covering for asbestos. Only certified professionals should remove popcorn ceilings containing asbestos. Do not turn the power back on to the room or uncover electrical receptacles as long as you are using water.
