How to remove popcorn ceiling texture

Allow the water to penetrate for 15 to 20 minutes. Check to see that the popcorn ceiling texture is soaked and will scrape off easily.

Once popular, popcorn ceiling texture has lost its appeal. Homeowners that want to remove popcorn ceiling texture typically look for a professional to do the work. Here’s how:

Step 1

Before you begin to remove popcorn ceiling texture, you have to be certain there is no asbestos texture, one of the hazards of renovating older homes. It’s illegal for anyone, except a certified asbestos abatement contractor, to remove asbestos.

To test for asbestos, fill a spray bottle with water and add some dish washing liquid. Spray three to four areas on the ceiling small (2”x2” each). Wait 10 – 15 minutes. Use a 2” scraper to remove small pieces of the damp texture and let it fall directly into a Ziploc bag. Send the sample to a laboratory that tests for asbestos. The testing is not expensive and laboratories can be found in the yellow pages and listed under ‘Asbestos – Consulting and Testing or on the Internet.

Do not remove popcorn ceiling until you have the test results. If the test reveals the presence of asbestos, you have three choices:

1. Have the home owner hire a certified contractor, who specializes in asbestos abatement, to remove popcorn ceiling texture.
2. Subcontract the removal job to certified asbestos contractor. You should be able to collect a percentage of his fee.
3. Leave the old popcorn ceiling texture in place and insert a new ceiling over it. This hides the old popcorn and seals in the asbestos and is the least expensive alternative.

If the results show there is no asbestos present, you can begin to remove the popcorn ceiling texture.

Scrape the wet popcorn ceiling texture from the ceiling, one section at a time. Work carefully, keeping your scraper square to the ceiling.

Step 2

This is a dirty job, so if possible, clear everything out of the room before you remove popcorn ceiling. Cover the windows, floor and anything else that has to be left in the room with heavy-duty waterproof drop clothes.

Turn off the main in the breaker box. Wet the ceiling with a clean commercial garden sprayer or a large capacity spray bottle. Make sure that the nozzle is set to a fine spray. Wet the ceiling thoroughly, avoiding the light fixtures, but don’t create a flood!

Allow the water to penetrate for 15 to 20 minutes. Check to see that the popcorn ceiling texture is soaked and will scrape off easily. If not, repeat the water treatment until the popcorn peels with ease.

Homax makes a scraper specifically designed to remove popcorn ceiling texture.

Step 3

Scrape the wet popcorn ceiling texture from the ceiling, one section at a time. Work carefully, keeping your scraper square to the ceiling. It’s easy to damage the underlying drywall with the edge of the scraper, if you don’t keep the scraper level to the ceiling. Be particularly careful when removing popcorn ceiling texture around light fixtures.

Step 4

Allow the scraped ceiling to dry. Repair and sand any scratches or gouges. Sand using a vibrating sander. Begin with 80-100 grain sandpaper and finish with 220-240 grain sandpaper . Or you can use a hand sander if you prefer.

Step 5

Wait until the ceiling is totally dry before prepping it for paint. Check for water and oil stains before you paint. Use the correct primer to cover these stains if necessary.

To remove popcorn ceiling texture that was painted

If the popcorn doesn’t absorb the water, it’s been painted and you’ll need to apply a non-methylene chloride stripper. This will dissolve the paint and dampen the popcorn and you can proceed with step 3.

What you’ll need

• spray bottle
• detergent
• water
• scrapers, one 2 inches wide and one 12 to 15 inches wide
• waterproof drop cloth
• ladder