article

Removing Your Popcorn Ceiling

By Bluehammer Admin

More and more homeowners are changing out their popcorn ceilings for a more modern look. The following are some helpful tips when it comes time to remove your popcorn ceiling.

Before You Begin You Need to Make Sure There is No Asbestos in Your Popcorn Ceiling

Prior to 1979, Asbestos was commonly used in construction. If your popcorn ceiling is that old, carefully scrape a sample, put it in a plastic baggie and get it tested. If Asbestos is present you should consult an expert on how to proceed.

Cost Factors of Removing Your Popcorn Ceiling

Labor is the major cost in this project. Other costs include a scraper, sanding material, drop cloths and any refinishing material.

Steps to Remove Your Popcorn Ceiling

Removing your popcorn ceiling is easy, but can be a bit messy. Below are the steps to follow.

  • Clear the roomRemove all furniture in the room and anything else that might impede your ability to reach the ceiling.
  • Mask and cover the walls and floor.Use plastic to mask the walls to prevent any water or material from ruining anything hanging. Use a waterproof drop cloth on the floor. As you scrape the popcorn it will fall to the floor and anything not covered will be covered in the wet clumpy popcorn residue.
  • Make sure there is proper ventilationAdd a floor fan to make sure there is good airflow and you aren't breathing in any unnecessary particles. Wearing a dust mask and safety glasses is always a good precaution.
  • Wet the popcornTo make it easier to scrape off, wet approximately a 4 foot by 4 foot area of the ceiling using a garden sprayer. Saturate by using a couple passes so as not to damage the drywall.
  • Scrape the popcornScrape the wet popcorn using a popcorn scraper or large putty knife. Some popcorn scrapers have bags that catch the popcorn making clean up easier. If your popcorn does not easily come off, wet the area some more and try again. Repeat the wet and scrape steps in 4 foot by 4 foot squares until your ceiling is finished.
  • Sand and refinishSand the ceiling to remove any small imperfections left. If your ceiling is in good condition you might be able to go straight into painting at this point. If not, you will need to fix any seams and add a coat of topping compound to even out your ceiling finish. After applying the topping compound, give it a sanding to give it a good finish. From here you can either paint or re-texture your new ceiling.

Want to estimate your home improvement costs before talking with a contractor? Claim your home for free with bluehammer to estimate costs, secure your home inventory and learn more about your home.

* THIS REPORT IS AN OPINION THAT MAY BE INACCURATE AND IS PROVIDED SOLELY AS AN INFORMATIONAL TOOL NOT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DEFINITIVE ANSWERS. ALL ELEMENTS ARE OFFERED “AS IS” AND BLUEBOOK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, AND GUARANTEES OF ANY NATURE, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABLITILY, NONINFRINGEMENT, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL BLUEBOOK (OR THEIR SUPPLIERS) BE LIABLE FOR ANY GENERAL, DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE RESULTING FROM USE OF THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING : (1) RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS PRESENTED, (2) COSTS OF REPLACEMENT GOODS, (3) LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, (4) DELAYS OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS, (5) AND ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION) WHETHER OR NOT BLUEBOOK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Know what you should pay for your home improvement projects with bluehammer.Claim your home. It's free!

Popular


Easy Architectural Details You Can Add To Your Home

Newer homes, especially those geared toward first-time buyers, are often devoid of the level of architectural detail you would find in older or more expensive homes. If you're not a fan of the big, boring box look, you can easily add in some detail to up the charm factor. And, many of these projects can be done yourself with minimal skill and money.

The Nightmare Next Door: What To Do When Your Neighbor Is a Nuisance

The animals that live in the house across the street bark incessantly. The people two doors down play their music so loud you now know all the lyrics to every Kendrick Lamar song ever written. And something, presumably a dog (you hope) keeps leaving presents on your lawn. Annoyances like these can make it unpleasant to live in your neighborhood. And, they can quickly escalate, becoming dangerous or even in need of legal intervention.

Installing an Interior Light Fixture

Interior lighting not only helps you see better, but also adds to the decor of your home. Upgrading an interior light is a great way to spruce up an area and save on energy costs.

How To Design An Entryway That Fits Your Need

It's easy to think you need to live like a robot to have a beautiful home, but that's not the case! The design for your home should always support your unique lifestyle. Designing a house that embraces your life and look is easy: Notice how you live.

8 Ways to Love Your Small Space More

When we run stories on living in homes with petite proportions, you often tell us, "Small? You should see my house!" Because we aim to please, we've rounded up some of the tiniest rooms on Houzz, picking those that pack plenty of ideas and function into a small space. We think that these are indisputably compact. But, more important, do you?

10 Key Problems to Look Out For and Fix in Your Home

Ignore some of these signs and you may end up with major issues. We tell you which are normal and which are cause for concern

Things to Consider When Replacing Your Front Door

Your front door is one of the most functional, visible, and important elements in your home. If you're looking for a home improvement project that can boost curb appeal, improve security, and add style to your space, replacing your front door delivers an impressive return on investment.

New Kitchen Cabinetry: Make Your Investment A Smart One

At an average of $50,000, a kitchen remodel is a major undertaking. A good return on that investment means different things to different people. You may be considering resale value, your bank balance at the moment, the elements of your dream kitchen-or all of the above. Whatever the case, kitchen cabinets are a key component of every remodel.

8 Clever Ways To Zone Off Space In An Open Floor Plan

We've fallen for open-plan living in recent years. After all, not many of us have a formal room just for company anymore. And with modern building materials, we don't necessarily need every room to have four walls to keep it at a comfortable temperature. But although an open plan may bring the space, light, flow and garden views we desire, it can also feel problematic to organize into zones - and prove distracting to share. Enter the glass partition. It makes room division simple yet doesn't starve spaces of light or compromise the open feel. Decorative, at half or full height, framed or barely visible, a glass partition can work in every environment. Check out these designs.

Follow These Steps Before Starting Your Kitchen Remodel

If your kitchen is looking a bit dated, consider a remodel to upgrade its efficiency and looks. Here's a quick guide to planning your kitchen update:

See More Articles