How to Scrape Popcorn Off a Ceiling

Remove a popcorn ceiling by scraping it with a joint knife.

A paint technique that's been around for more than 30 years, popcorn ceilings, also known as acoustic ceilings, are a challenge to maintain and modify. The technique doesn't accept paint; is a catcher of dust and debris; and it can be a breeding ground for spiders and cobwebs. Removing a popcorn ceiling is possible, though, and you don't have to hire a professional or replace the ceiling's wallboard. Once the popcorn is off, the ceiling is ready for painting or applying another texturing technique.

Things You'll Need

• Ladder
• Joint knife
• Small plastic bag
• Work gloves
• Safety goggles
• Nose mask
• Drop cloths or plastic sheeting
• Masking tape
• Garden sprayer
• Water
• 3 trash bags
• Joint compound
• Long pan
• Joint tape
• Sanding pad
• Sandpaper: 180-grit

Instructions

Asbestos Test

1. Secure a ladder on a level surface and use a joint knife to scrape a 2-inch sample of the popcorn ceiling for asbestos testing. Wear work gloves, safety goggles and a nose mask for protection.

2. Place the sample in a small plastic bag.

3. Take the sample to a EPA-certified testing lab in your area. If the sample comes back positive for asbestos, contact a certified asbestos removal contractor to complete the popcorn removal project.

Prep

1. Move any furniture, throw rugs, ceiling light domes and other items from the room containing the popcorn ceiling. Cover any furnishings you can't remove from the room with drop cloths or plastic sheeting.

2. Use masking tape to secure drop cloths or plastic sheeting to the walls and floor of the room.

3. Fill a garden sprayer with one gallon of water from a sink.

4. Turn off the electricity to the room by removing the fuse or switching the room's breaker to the "OFF" position.

Wetting & Scraping

1. Spray one section of the ceiling with water from the garden sprayer. Do not flood the ceiling with water. Only spray enough water to make the ceiling wet--not dripping wet.

2. Scrape the ceiling with a joint knife placed at a 45-degree angle. If you encounter a stubborn spot, spray the spot with water to break up the popcorn material.

3. Place another drop cloth or piece of plastic sheeting on the floor if the floor becomes too soiled with popcorn material.

4. Continue scraping the ceiling until all of the popcorn is gone.

5. Roll up and take down the drop cloths and plastic sheeting after you are done. Place the sheeting in trash bags for disposal.

Tips & Warnings

• Once the ceiling is popcorn-free, apply joint compound to fill in any lines, dents and cuts present on the ceiling. Dip joint tape into a long pan of water, shake off excess water and apply the tape to any lines in the ceiling not covered with joint compound. Smooth out the tape with joint compound. Sand the ceiling with a sanding pad containing a piece of 180-grit sandpaper to smooth out the surface before priming/painting.

References

• Ron Hazelton: How to Remove a Popcorn-Textured Ceiling
• Big Rehab: Popcorn Ceiling Removal

Resources

• Old House Web: Getting Creative with Ceiling Renovations