Popcorn ceiling
Popcorn ceilings are not nearly as popular as they once were because of their outdated bubbly texture style, and because they get dusty easily and are difficult to clean. Modern homeowners prefer the sleekness of a smooth plaster ceiling to the old-fashioned textured ceilings. Though unpainted popcorn ceilings are relatively simple to remove, painted popcorn ceilings are more difficult because the layer of paint makes it difficult for the popcorn texture to absorb the water necessary to soften. Therefore, liquid detergent is mixed with the water to help penetrate the painted surface.
Instructions
1. Remove a sample of the popcorn material and send it to an EPA-certified testing lab. If the ceiling contains asbestos, contact a certified asbestos removal contractor to remove the popcorn ceiling. Laboratories that test for asbestos are located across the country. Several larger companies are Western Analytical Laboratory (asbestos-test.com/), EMSL Analytical Laboratory Services (emsl.com/Index.cfm?nav=Lab_Locations) and International Asbestos Testing Laboratores (iatl.com/content.php?page=Asbestos+Laboratory&parent=2).
If your popcorn ceiling does not contain asbestos, you are safe to do the job yourself.
2. Lay drop cloths on the floor and use painter's tape to affix plastic tarps on surrounding walls and over doorways.
3. Turn off electricity and remove light fixtures from the ceiling.
4. Wear protective clothing, a mask, gloves and goggles.
5. Mix 1 tsp. liquid dishwashing detergent and 2 cups water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the ceiling in 3- to 5-inch sections. Let the water seep into the ceiling for 15 to 20 minutes. Spray on more solution if the ceiling begins to dry out during that time.
Painted popcorn ceilings require a wetting agent, which, in this case, is a liquid dishwashing detergent, The detergent helps the water seep into the textured compound. If the ceiling was left unpainted, the popcorn material can be removed with only water and worked in larger sections such as 3- to 5-foot sections.
6. Use a joint knife, which has a wide, flat blade, to scrape off the popcorn texture. Scrape lightly to prevent gouging the ceiling. If a section is difficult to scrape off, spray more water, wait and try again. If the painted popcorn still does not come off after continuous spraying and scraping, leave the ceiling alone and consult a professional.
7. Apply joint compound--a plaster-like sealing compound--over the joint lines on the ceiling. Dip joint tape--a strip of tape made of either paper or fiberglass that covers the seams between sections of drywall boards--into water and squeeze to remove excess water. Apply damp joint tape over the joint compound and smooth off with a joint knife.
Joint tape is , allowing for a smooth finish. Joint compound is commonly used in construction. Joint tape is simply a tool used to apply and smooth out the compound with its wide, flat blade.
8. Fill in any holes or cracks with joint compound. Smooth off with a joint knife.
9. Sand any rough or uneven patches with a sanding pad attached to a pole.
10. Prime and paint as needed.
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