Introduction

Are you tired of your popcorn ceiling from the 1960’s and want to update it? Or, maybe you recently purchased a home and want to remove the popcorn ceilings before you move in? In either case, this blog will explain how to successfully remove popcorn ceiling so that it’s safe for you and your family.

Popcorn ceilings came into fashion in the 1960’s, due to its easy application and ability to hide imperfections. They were a quick fix for ceilings, until in the 1980’s it was found that popcorn ceilings contained asbestos. Now owners are looking to remove them and update their homes with a more modern look.

Popcorn ceilings came into fashion in the 1960’s, due to its easy application and ability to hide imperfections. They were a quick fix for ceilings, until in the 1980’s it was found that popcorn ceilings contained asbestos. Now owners are looking to remove them and update their homes with a more modern look.

Popcorn ceilings have become an eyesore for many homeowners over time. If you happen to have one of these old fashioned ceilings in your home, here are some tips on how you can safely remove it:

However, popcorn ceiling removal can be tricky and time consuming if not done correctly.

If you’re going to remove popcorn ceilings, it’s best to do so before the asbestos gets damaged or removed. You’ll need to get a license and follow strict guidelines when removing asbestos from your home. Once that’s done, you can begin with the removal process.

• Cover furniture and flooring with drop cloths and plastic
• Use painters tape to prevent damage or residue from getting onto walls and molding

The first step in removing the popcorn ceiling is to make sure that it doesn’t contain asbestos. If you are unsure, we recommend testing the ceiling or hiring a professional to test it before proceeding any further.

First, we need to make sure that the popcorn ceiling you are about to remove does not contain asbestos. Asbestos is a dangerous material that has been linked with cancer. It was commonly used in construction materials until the 1970s and 1980s when it was found to be very harmful.

If your ceiling has been painted over multiple times, it’s possible that the paint used contained lead or other potentially harmful chemicals. Lead paint can cause serious health problems if ingested by young children or pets so you will want to test for this as well if there is any chance that it was applied during renovations or repairs on your home. If your house was built before 1978, there is a high likelihood that some of these substances were present in your walls and ceilings because they were often used at this time period due to their lower cost compared with other options like vinyl sheeting (which became popular after its invention).

In order to cover the furniture and flooring, you will want to cover everything with drop cloths and plastic. Then use painters tape on the walls and molding to prevent damage or residue from getting onto these surfaces after applying water to the ceiling.

In order to cover the furniture and flooring, you will want to cover everything with drop cloths and plastic. Then use painters tape on the walls and molding to prevent damage or residue from getting onto these surfaces after applying water to the ceiling.

Use a pump sprayer filled with warm water and apply it in 2×2 sections of your popcorn ceiling at a time, letting each section sit for 15 minutes before moving onto another section.

After the textured ceilings have been sprayed down twice, let them dry overnight before removing them with either heat gun or scraper/utility knife (both are available at any hardware store).

You will then want to mix your compound into a pump sprayer. If you don’t have one available, Home Depot rents them for $20 per day. Next you will spray down a 2×2 foot section of your ceiling at a time and let it sit for 15 minutes before scraping off the popcorn ceiling with a 5-in-1 tool or drywall knife.

Once you have mixed your compound, you will want to apply it with either a pump sprayer or paintbrush. If you don’t have a pump sprayer, they are available for rent at Home Depot for $20 per day.

Spray down an area that is 2 feet by 2 feet at a time and let it sit for 15 minutes before scraping off the popcorn ceiling with a 5-in-1 tool or drywall knife.

Once your ceiling has been scraped smooth you will want to sand the surface with an electric sander until it is completely even, we suggest using 150 grit sandpaper.

Once your ceiling has been scraped smooth you will want to sand the surface with an electric sander until it is completely even, we suggest using 150 grit sandpaper. Sanding the entire surface can be very time consuming and labor intensive so if you are working alone, it may be better to just do spot repair areas using a hand held belt sander or sanding block.

If you choose to sand the entire popcorn ceiling before applying any finishing materials, we recommend using an orbital sander (also known as a drum sander) with an 80 or 120 grit paper on it. You may want to consider renting this type of machine from your local hardware store; however, if you plan on doing more than one room then buying one might make sense since they cost around $200-$300 new and pay for themselves quickly when compared with renting over time

Conclusion

Popcorn ceiling removal can be a laborious task, but the end result is always worth it. Just make sure that you are prepared for the job by making sure your safety equipment is up to date and you have all of your supplies on hand. If you have any questions about popcorn ceiling removal, feel free to reach out to us here at Tri-County Restoration. We are happy to help!