Common throughout the 1970s and 1980s, popcorn ceilings deaden noise and add textural appeal to plain plaster. Although popcorn ceilings are now outdated, they exist in many homes. Many homeowners remove popcorn ceilings when it's time to remodel, because cleaning and painting the coarse texturing is challenging. Dust and cobwebs stick to popcorn ceilings and make the lumpy texture appear unsightly over time. Removing popcorn ceilings reveals underlying plaster, which allows for complete ceiling renovation. Remove popcorn ceilings from plaster using simple techniques.
Instructions
1. Have the popcorn ceiling tested for asbestos fibers before proceeding. Use a utility knife to scrape a bit of the popcorn ceiling into a bag, then send the sample to an asbestos testing lab certified by the Environmental Protection Agency. If the popcorn ceiling is more than 1 percent asbestos, hire an asbestos removal company to remove the popcorn ceiling. Remove the popcorn ceiling if it is less than 1 percent asbestos.
2. Prepare the room for the project by shutting off the electricity and the heating or cooling system. Close any air vents and remove any ceiling light fixtures.
3. Clear the room by removing any furniture and clutter. Cover the entire floor, every wall, all light switches and each wall outlet with plastic drop cloths. Use masking tape to seal these drop cloths to the walls. Don't leave any surface exposed.
4. Spread a layer of rosin paper over the drop cloths on the floor to catch moisture and detached popcorn fragments. Tape the sheets of paper together using masking tape.
5. Fill an ordinary pump-up garden sprayer with 2 gallons of water. Stir 2 tbsp. of hand dish-washing soap into the sprayer.
6. Gear up in protective equipment directly before removing the popcorn ceiling. Put on a dust mask and protective glasses to wear throughout the project.
7. Moisten a 5-by-5-foot section of the popcorn ceiling with the soapy water. Try not to over-wet the ceiling, just saturate the popcorn enough to detach it. Let the popcorn absorb the soapy water for approximately 15 minutes.
8. Scrape off the moistened popcorn ceiling using a putty knife with rounded blade ends. Gently scrape the ceiling to avoid gouging the underlying plaster. Re-moisten the ceiling with the soapy water if the popcorn is stubborn.
9. Remove the remaining 5-by-5-foot sections of the popcorn ceiling using the same methods as above. Unroll fresh layers of rosin paper on top of existing layers of rosin paper as they accumulate popcorn fragments and moisture. Completely detach all popcorn ceiling from the plaster.
10. Roll up the soiled rosin paper and drop cloths when you've finished removing the popcorn ceiling. Place all resin paper and drop cloths in trash bags.
Tags: popcorn ceiling, popcorn ceilings, drop cloths, rosin paper, popcorn ceiling