How to Scrape a Textured Ceiling

Ceilings can have a number of different texture styles, the most common being the popcorn and sponge textures. While many people pay hundreds of dollars to have this done to their ceilings, others feel it looks bad and outdated. If you are unhappy with the texture on your ceiling, you can repair it without calling in the professionals. The process for removing ceiling texture is fairly simple but time-consuming.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic sheeting or old newspaper
• Spray bottle
• Water
• Long-handle paint scraper

Instructions

1. Lay plastic sheeting or old newspaper over the entire floor. The debris that falls from the ceiling can be very difficult to remove from any type of floor.

2. Fill a spray bottle with water. Choose one corner of the room to start in. Spray a 3-square-foot area of the ceiling with water. The ceiling should not drip water, but it should be moist to the touch. Let the water soak into the ceiling for 5 minutes.

3. Scrape the ceiling with a long-handle paint scraper. If the textured material does not scrape off easily, spray more water on it and let it soak for another 5 minutes. If it does scrape off easily, scrape the entire moistened section. Be gentle with the scraper so you do not make gouges in the ceiling.

4. Spray another section of the ceiling. It is easiest to work in a straight line against one wall and work your way out.

5. Repeat the steps until the entire ceiling is scraped and smooth. You may need to go over some areas with sandpaper to get a perfectly smooth surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Have your house checked for asbestos if it was built in the mid-1990s or earlier. Asbestos should be handled only by professionals.

References

• HomeEnvy--Removing textured ceiling
• U.S. EPA--Asbestos Ban and Phase Out