Popcorn ceilings were trendy in the 1960s and 70s. This type of ceiling, which also goes by the name stipple or acoustic ceiling, is made by spraying different paint-on and spray-on treatments with ceiling texture spray to create a bumpy surface. The tiny polystyrene and vermiculite particles that make up the bumpy surface give the ceiling its sound-deadening property. Popcorn ceilings were mostly used in hallway and bedroom ceilings because of their bright appearance, acoustic properties, and ability to hide imperfections.
Textured popcorn ceilings have been losing popularity since the mid-2000s and are being replaced with more modern, smooth ceilings. So, why are North Americans removing popcorn ceilings?
- Asbestos Removal: The early use of popcorn ceilings involved the use of formulations containing white asbestos fibre. The enactment of the Clean Air Act in 1978 in the U.S., which banned the use of asbestos in ceiling treatments, means popcorn ceilings from the ‘60s and ‘70s should be replaced. Asbestos is a safety hazard when inhaled and has been linked to lung scarring and even lung cancer. Note that even popcorn ceilings that contain asbestos are not a safety hazard when intact, according to the EPA, but they should be replaced whenever there’s damage as this increases the risk of asbestos inhalation.
- To Achieve Better Lighting: Popcorn ceilings affect lighting since light bounces off the bumpy surface, creating shadows. You are unlikely to achieve a relaxing atmosphere with these ceilings.
- Stop Discoloration: Popcorn ceilings get discoloured over time because they are a magnet for dirt and dust. The ceilings are also harder to clean in comparison to smoothly-finished ceilings.
- Stop Disintegrating: Like any other ceiling, popcorn ceilings will disintegrate with time. If you start seeing white flecks, holes, dents, scrapes, or marks, it is time for a replacement.
- Increase your home’s resale value: Given the asbestos history of popcorn ceilings and the dirt accumulation, potential homeowners are put off by this ceiling. Replace the ceiling to increase your home’s resale value.
Best Way to Remove Popcorn Ceiling
Preparing for Ceiling Popcorn Removal
Proper preparation is essential before you remove popcorn ceilings to prevent damage to the rest of the house, prevent dust and asbestos inhalation, prevent accidents, and ensure the work flows smoothly.
Test for Asbestos
Confirm if your ceiling is made of material that contains asbestos before taking off the popcorn ceiling. This is not possible to tell without testing. The testing should be done by an experienced professional who has the relevant safety gear, such as dust masks, ventilators, gloves, and goggles. There are EPA-approved test kits available in hardware stores for between $35 and $50, and samples can also be sent to registered labs. If the results are positive, the ceiling should only be removed by a professional. Tongue-and-groove planks or new drywall can also be used when the results are positive.
Gather the Required Tools
Fortunately, asbestos-free popcorn ceiling removal does not require specialized tools. The essential tools you need are a ladder, a garden sprayer, a drywall taping knife or putty knife, painter’s tape, plastic sheeting or drop cloths, a dust mask, and safety goggles. Avoid canvas drop cloths, as water will seep through.
Protect the Furniture, Floors, and Walls
Any ceiling removal is messy. To avoid damage to your furniture, floor, and walls, remove all furniture from the room and cover the walls and floors with plastic sheeting. Use painter’s tape to attach the sheeting to the walls and to cover electrical boxes. Items that cannot be removed should be clustered and covered with plastic sheeting. Take down the ceiling fans, chandeliers, and any other attachments on the ceiling to make the work easier and avoid damaging them. For recessed can lights, stuff rosin paper or newspaper inside them to ensure they remain dry. Ensure the HVAC system is turned off to prevent damage and cover the vents. Since you will use water, turn off the electricity from the main switch. Ensure the windows are open for air to circulate.
Protect yourself – How to Get Popcorn Off Of Ceiling Safely
You need safety glasses and a dust mask to protect yourself. It takes a professional and an experienced DIYer approximately 20 hours to scrape off 500 square feet of the ceiling. You should, therefore, ensure you take breaks in between the project and hydrate or, better still, leave the labour-intensive work to a professional.
How do Professionals Remove Popcorn Ceilings?
You should exercise caution when doing ceiling popcorn removal to prevent damage to the drywall, electrical fixtures, and floor. Better still, you should leave the work to an experienced professional. So, how do you remove a popcorn ceiling without damaging drywall?
Wet the Ceiling with a Garden Pump Sprayer
Do you have to sand after removing a popcorn ceiling? The simple answer is no – wetting is sufficient. Wetting the popcorn ceiling before removal has two benefits – it makes scraping easier and reduces dust. The ceiling should be soaked for approximately 15 minutes through light misting (too much water could cause damage to the drywall and the joint tape). A garden pump sprayer will do. Check if the popcorn ceiling removal spray has worked after 15 minutes; if it has not, spray again and wait for a further 15 minutes.
Why is my popcorn ceiling hard to remove? Note that if the ceiling was painted or paint was mixed with the ceiling material before application, it will not be easily softened by water. If the ceiling is painted, remove the layer of paint through dry-scrapping and then soften the exposed underbelly. If paint had been mixed with the ceiling material, then dry-scrapping off the entire ceiling (or covering it with T&G boards or drywall) is your only option.
Scrapping Off Popcorn Ceiling
You should wet and scrape off small sections at a time (4-by-4-foot) to ensure some areas do not dry before you reach them. For the scraping, use a drywall taping knife or a putty knife to gently run along the ceiling, taking care not to gouge the underlying ceiling. Consider filing the edge of the putty knife to avoid damage to the underlying ceiling. You can use a file, an electric grinder, or a sander for this.
An important tip on how to scrape off popcorn ceiling: as you scrape the ceiling, use a mud pan to prevent the wet popcorn from hitting the floor. This ensures you do not track it all over the place. The edge of the mud pan also comes in handy in cleaning off the scraper. Note that you may need to repeat the process in some areas. You can wet further sections that are not loosening up as you pass them.
Remove the Debris
Take the plastic sheeting or drop cloth outside and shake the debris off into a garbage bin before touching up the problem areas with the drywall compound. This ensures you do not spread the debris all over your home as you go to the next step. Lay the plastic sheeting or drop the cloth back down before proceeding.
Touch Up the Ceiling with Drywall Compound
The most popular way of finishing problem areas is touching up with quick-set drywall mud. Use a drywall knife to apply the drywall compound to the problem areas. Allow the drywall to dry overnight, then sand the area using a sanding block, followed by wiping the area clean using a damp cloth.
Prime and Paint the Ceiling
Are you wondering what to do after removing the popcorn ceiling? Use a roller that has extension attachments for easy painting of the ceiling. If you want to hide imperfections, consider using a matte or flat finishes. There are paints that are designed specifically for ceilings. These ensure minimum splatter and do not yellow over time. White remains the most popular colour option for ceilings as it ensures light reflects perfectly into the room, but there are many other colour options available.
How to Get Rid of Popcorn Ceilings Without Scraping
If the popcorn ceiling has asbestos and you do not want to scrape it off, dustless popcorn ceiling removal by affixing a ceiling-grade gypsum board over the ceiling is worth considering. Avoid standard wall boards as they are too heavy for a ceiling. Screw the board into the framing and apply quick-set drywall mud with a taping knife.
So, is it difficult to remove a popcorn ceiling? If you have the time and sufficient experience with home improvement projects, you can possibly do the work. However, hiring a professional when removing popcorn ceilings and refinishing ensures you do not have to buy the tools and safety gear needed for the job and hire a drywall lift and other equipment. A professional will test for asbestos, safely remove the ceiling, and safely dispose of the debris. At Bernardi Building Supply, we are certified to do popcorn ceiling removal, and our team is insured in the unlikely event of a mishap during the removal. We have also been supplying drywall and other building supplies in Mississauga and Toronto for almost 45 years.
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