How to Remove Popcorn-Textured Ceilings

Whoever invented these horrible ceilings should be initiated in the Worst Ideas Hall of Shame. Real popcorn would look better stuck to the ceiling! I recently did a great deal of remodeling in my home. The last stage of the game was the dreaded ceilings. After all the fresh paint, new floors, etc. the ceilings looked worse than ever. They had yellowed (after 30 years) and all manner of dust was stuck to those little bumpy critters. A friend told me about someone else who removed the popcorn from the ceiling so I decided to try it. Now to say that this procedure is messy would be an understatement but, hey, this was the final hoorah; so I plunged ahead.

Items that are needed:

1. Ladder

2. Squirt Bottle filled with water

3. Joint Knife

4. Rag to wipe off the joint knife

5. Joint Compound

6. Sand Paper

7. Plastic Sheeting to cover the floor and/or furniture (walls, too, if you are so inclined)

OK, here we go – move what you can out of the way and cover what you can’t move with plastic sheeting; (some folks may want to even cover the walls but I did not; I just cleaned up afterward).

It would probably be a good idea to make sure your ceilings are not asbestos by scraping a sample into a zipper baggie and taking it to an EPA Certified testing lab. If it is asbestos, you will need professional removal.

Depending on your situation, you may have to remove or loosen light fixtures – if that is the case, be sure and turn off the electricity.

When you are ready to begin, climb to the top of the ladder and proceed to spray water on an area of your ceiling about 3 feet by 3 feet. Wait just a minute or two and carefully begin to scrape your joint knife along the wet area and you will be amazed how easily that “stuff” comes right off; wipe your joint knife off with the rag and begin the process again until finished!

I would also add that some ceilings are better than others for this procedure depending on how thick your undercoat is, so proceed with caution. If, after removal, you have any bare spots or nail holes showing apply two thin layers of joint compound; sanding each layer when dry. You may even have to use joint tape. I did not have to go all the way down to the wall board, thankfully.

After the popcorn is gone to your satisfaction, you are then ready to paint the ceilings – I used regular white ceiling paint. If you had to go all the way down to the wall board, you may want to start with a primer. They now sell ceiling paint that goes on pink and dries white – this enables you to see where you have been or where you are going, as the case may be. It is often hard to view the ceiling well due to lightning, etc.

You absolutely cannot imagine until you do this project as to the difference it makes in a room. Fresh clean white ceilings make the room amazing! I also added crown moulding which was the icing on the cake.

After you finish all this work, and you’re through gazing up and admiring the ceiling - you will need to go straight-away to the massage therapist before your neck stays permanently in the look back and up position! For goodness sakes, Be Careful and Good Luck!!!