If you occasionally find yourself staring at a ceiling that is, say, painted green with popcorn corns, you aren’t alone. Let’s face it: they’re eyesores. They may also be referred to as acoustic ceilings, stucco roofs, or worst of all, country-western ceilings. Regardless of their name, these roofs (which can also be called barn roofs) result from an unnecessary procedure that should have been prevented.
Popcorn ceiling removal is typically performed by removing ceiling light fixtures and replacing them with fluorescent light fixtures. While this may seem like a good idea, removing light fixtures can release large amounts of dust into the air, which can pose health risks long after the remodeling job is completed. Here are some tips that will help you safely remove the popcorn ceiling and reduce the risk of airborne debris.
The first step to removing unsightly popcorn ceilings involves finding out whether your house has textured ceilings. The simplest way to identify whether your home has textured ceilings is to look up at the ceiling and see if there are imperfections in the paint. If there are imperfections, then your house probably contains imperfections in the construction or in the fill material. If the imperfections are in the fill material, such as the joint compound used to attach the plaster to the wood frame, then you have an easy way to remove a popcorn ceiling and restore smooth texture to your ceilings.
You’ll need to gather some supplies before you start the work so that you’ll have everything you need to safely remove a popcorn ceiling texture. Get a pair of pickaxes and a broom. The broom is especially handy because it allows you to reach corners you wouldn’t otherwise be able to reach without being in a wheelchair or with great leg strength. A spray bottle with some insecticide is also helpful. Insecticide will ensure that nothing gets into your home, especially since most insecticides are hazardous to pets.
To remove a popcorn ceiling texture on a small area, use a scouring pad and a small brush. Using the brush, gently scrape away any discolored areas until there is virtually no texture remaining. Once you’re satisfied with the degree of texture remaining, use your pickaxes to carefully scrape away the remaining debris. Use a small amount of water to lubricate your tools before you begin scraping. This will ensure that you don’t scrape too deep into the wall or worse, into the mortar.
You can use the same methods to remove larger areas of textured paint or wallpaper, but you’ll need to use an electric sander for this job. The key to successfully removing popcorn ceilings is patience, diligence, and plenty of water! It might be necessary to repeat this process a few times before you get the results you desire. Some homeowners find that simply using a broom to clear away the debris is the best way to remove popcorn ceilings.
If you’re trying to remove popcorn ceilings yourself, it’s important to know that you may want to call in professionals at some point. Although it may seem simple at first, textured paint and wallpaper tend to be quite difficult to remove. For this reason, it’s wise to invest in a professional sprayer or use a pro at least once to make sure that your project is completed and safe. While it may be a time consuming project, if your popcorn ceilings are causing you great pain, calling in a professional might be a wise investment.
If you decide to let the job go and don’t want to hire a professional, there are still some options available to you. Homeowners may want to consider using drop cloths for their job. Drop cloths can save time because they can be used to protect surfaces that aren’t ready for painting or sanding. They also provide a very high level of protection from moisture, which is usually a problem when it comes to removing popcorn ceiling removal. A word of warning, however, keep drop cloths stored in a dry area away from any source of water, as they will eventually start to mold and mildew.