Popcorn ceiling
Removing a popcorn ceiling is an easy process and requires very few tools. However, proceed with caution. Popcorn ceilings were popular from the late 1950s to the early 1980s. They were cheaper and required less labor than applying texture and paint; but in 1978, the Environmental Protection Agency banned the product due to its asbestos content. Their popularity faded drastically among residential homes, although contractors continue using asbestos-free popcorn ceilings, also known as acoustic ceilings, which are often seen in apartment complexes.
Instructions
1. Take a sample of the ceiling. Find an area in the corner of a secluded room in which to remove a small sample for examination. Follow the listed process for popcorn ceiling removal and drop it into a sealable plastic baggie. Mail the sample to a testing facility for examination and wait for the results. Testing facilities inspect samples beginning at around $20.
2. Continue with the popcorn ceiling removal if the results come back showing no asbestos content. If the results show asbestos content, contact an abatement contractor for proper removal and disposal. Several paint and commercial contractors offer this service.
3. Soaking the ceiling reduces clean-up
Cover the flooring with a plastic drop cloth. Tape the edges to the walls to reduce the mess. Fill a squirt bottle with warm water and a mild liquid detergent. Shake well and begin to squirt down the ceiling using a wide spray. Allow ten minutes for the popcorn ceiling to absorb the water solution. Saturating the ceiling will have an adverse effect on the process, so apply in sections at a time.
4. Use a putty/joint knife with a 6-inch blade
Protect yourself with long-sleeved clothing, eye protection, and a paper mask. Use a sturdy ladder for climbing. Climb the ladder and place the putty knife at a 15-degree angle to the ceiling and scrape away the popcorn ceiling from the drywall. It will come off in sheets as it falls to the floor. Use long, continuous strokes and avoid short, choppy strokes. Be sure not to gouge holes into the drywall.
5. Clean up and properly dispose of the old ceiling. Check with local ordinances if conditions apply. Circulate air into the room and onto the ceiling so that moisture does not seep into the drywall and cause mold.
Tags: asbestos content, popcorn ceiling, ceiling removal, into drywall, popcorn ceiling, popcorn ceiling removal