article

Removing Your Popcorn Ceiling

By Bluehammer Admin

More and more homeowners are changing out their popcorn ceilings for a more modern look. The following are some helpful tips when it comes time to remove your popcorn ceiling.

Before You Begin You Need to Make Sure There is No Asbestos in Your Popcorn Ceiling

Prior to 1979, Asbestos was commonly used in construction. If your popcorn ceiling is that old, carefully scrape a sample, put it in a plastic baggie and get it tested. If Asbestos is present you should consult an expert on how to proceed.

Cost Factors of Removing Your Popcorn Ceiling

Labor is the major cost in this project. Other costs include a scraper, sanding material, drop cloths and any refinishing material.

Steps to Remove Your Popcorn Ceiling

Removing your popcorn ceiling is easy, but can be a bit messy. Below are the steps to follow.

  • Clear the roomRemove all furniture in the room and anything else that might impede your ability to reach the ceiling.
  • Mask and cover the walls and floor.Use plastic to mask the walls to prevent any water or material from ruining anything hanging. Use a waterproof drop cloth on the floor. As you scrape the popcorn it will fall to the floor and anything not covered will be covered in the wet clumpy popcorn residue.
  • Make sure there is proper ventilationAdd a floor fan to make sure there is good airflow and you aren't breathing in any unnecessary particles. Wearing a dust mask and safety glasses is always a good precaution.
  • Wet the popcornTo make it easier to scrape off, wet approximately a 4 foot by 4 foot area of the ceiling using a garden sprayer. Saturate by using a couple passes so as not to damage the drywall.
  • Scrape the popcornScrape the wet popcorn using a popcorn scraper or large putty knife. Some popcorn scrapers have bags that catch the popcorn making clean up easier. If your popcorn does not easily come off, wet the area some more and try again. Repeat the wet and scrape steps in 4 foot by 4 foot squares until your ceiling is finished.
  • Sand and refinishSand the ceiling to remove any small imperfections left. If your ceiling is in good condition you might be able to go straight into painting at this point. If not, you will need to fix any seams and add a coat of topping compound to even out your ceiling finish. After applying the topping compound, give it a sanding to give it a good finish. From here you can either paint or re-texture your new ceiling.

Want to estimate your home improvement costs before talking with a contractor? Claim your home for free with bluehammer to estimate costs, secure your home inventory and learn more about your home.

* THIS REPORT IS AN OPINION THAT MAY BE INACCURATE AND IS PROVIDED SOLELY AS AN INFORMATIONAL TOOL NOT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DEFINITIVE ANSWERS. ALL ELEMENTS ARE OFFERED "AS IS" AND BLUEBOOK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, AND GUARANTEES OF ANY NATURE, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABLITILY, NONINFRINGEMENT, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL BLUEBOOK (OR THEIR SUPPLIERS) BE LIABLE FOR ANY GENERAL, DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE RESULTING FROM USE OF THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING : (1) RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS PRESENTED, (2) COSTS OF REPLACEMENT GOODS, (3) LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, (4) DELAYS OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS, (5) AND ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION) WHETHER OR NOT BLUEBOOK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Know what you should pay for your home improvement projects with bluehammer.Claim your home. It's free!

Popular


Tips For Selecting An Interior Door

Take a minute to count the number of doors in your house. Surprising, right? Consider then, the impact that a little attention to the doors can have on the overall style and design of your home. Whether you're just moving in or staging for a sale, new doors are a simple way to dramatically update the space. The good news is that there are as many styles of doors as there are doors in your home. Making the decision is the toughest part.

The Best Paint Colors For An Enduring Look In Your Home

Trends come and go. If you paint your walls the "provocative and thoughtful purple shade" of Ultra Violet, as Pantone, itself, calls it, you're probably gearing up to repaint them in whatever the color authority deems the "it" shade next year. If you'd rather pick a paint chip or two and keep your space the same for the long haul, you'll love these colors that endure.

10 Ways To Transform Your Trashy Old Furniture Into Standout Pieces

We know. That antique sideboard or set of chairs you got after your grandma died is sentimental, but also completely clashy with every other piece of furniture you own, not to mention out of touch with your general sense of style.

Understanding Hard Water (and How to Solve It)

Do you have hard water? If you notice spots and films on glasses that come straight from the dishwasher, or you can't seem to work up a good lather when washing your hands, it's a good bet that you do.

Replacing Your Water Heater

Hot water is a luxury we all take for granted until it goes cold.

Replacing Your Kitchen Dishwasher

Mix water, moving parts and wear and tear and you get a dishwasher replacement project

Choosing Window Treatments: Pros and Cons

Deciding on the right size, color, fabric and pillow configuration for your couch took three weeks. You still haven't decided on the paint color for the bedroom, despite having seven different shades of blue in swatches up on the wall. It seems like every design decision you've made in your home was critical, but the one that will help pull it all together hasn't garnered a moment of thought.

7 Model Home Ideas To Steal For Your Home

You don't have to be in the market for a new home to tour model homes. In fact, model home complexes are a great place to get a few ideas for your existing home. Whether you're looking for ideas to renovate your kitchen and want to see the most current trends, are having a hard time deciding on paint colors and want to see how others are incorporating color into the home, or are simply looking for a little inspiration, you can find it here.

Electric Water Heater Troubleshooting Quickstart Guide

Technology advances are making electric water heaters more popular than ever. The electric water heater market, valued at $6 billion in 2015, will expand at an annual compound growth rate of 7.5 percent to reach $33.22 billion by 2024, Global Market Insights projects. Advances in energy saving, comfort control and display technology are driving demand. As more homes acquire electric water heaters, home owners will increasingly require specialized maintenance for these appliances. Here’s a quickstart guide to assist you when troubleshooting electric water heaters.

Replacing Your Washing Machine

With moving parts, water and dirt, washing machines perform some tough work.

See More Articles