Textured (or popcorn) ceiling removal is a perfect example of how a trend can swiftly move from stylish to completely out of fashion in just a matter of a couple of years. Today just about every service involving ceiling installations and ceiling repairs offers popcorn ceiling removal as a way to improve the air quality of your home while also increasing the property value and aesthetic beauty of your entire interior design. Fortunately, if your home is in need of popcorn ceiling removal there’s a quick and easy way to perform your own removal if you have the right equipment and knowledge of how to properly and safely tackle all the tasks involved. If you’re interested in performing your own popcorn ceiling removal use this simple step-by-step guide to get your home looking better than ever!
Step 1:
Empty the room of everything. Just about all of your belongings can be severely damaged by the dust and potential contaminants which are kicked up in the removal process and the only completely surefire way to prevent that damage is to put all the room’s furnishings in another room or in storage. Similarly, be sure to apply drop cloths and thick plastic sheets to all the walls and floor and contact professionals about having your ceiling’s material tested for asbestos content if there’s any question about the makeup of your ceiling’s material.
Step 2:
Wear a respirator mask and protective glasses at the very least when you begin working on your popcorn ceiling removal. Additionally, use a basic water sprayer to apply a solution of warm water and a few tablespoons of dishwashing soap to the section of ceiling you’re planning on working on first to minimize the amount of dust which falls during the scraping process. Be sure to spray it enough to loosen and saturate the few square feet you’re actively working on but not too much as it’s possible to do some water damage to the underlying structure if too much moisture is applied.
Step 3:
After you've dampened the square feet of your ceiling that you’re going to begin working on, allow about 15 minutes to pass so that it has been absorbed enough to maximize the benefits it produces. Once this time has passed, use a specialized ceiling texture scraper to gently and repeatedly remove the popcorn texture from your ceiling. If you’re having a particularly difficult time getting the texture off don’t apply too much force as you’ll be much more likely to break through the ceiling’s surface entirely. Instead, apply some more water/soap solution and try again in a couple minutes.
Step 4:
Once you've completed a full scraping of your home’s ceiling do a gentle but thorough sanding of the revealed surface and repair any damages which may have occurred throughout the process, either by contacting professional ceiling repair contractors or by performing your own repair work using caulking and putty. When these repairs are completed it’s crucial to protect the quality of the new ceiling surface by applying primer, paint, and sealant.
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