Popcorn ceilings, often known as acoustic or cottage cheese ceilings, have been a well-liked alternative within the house attributable to their capacity to cover imperfections and soak up sounds. However as we speak, many householders desire a cleaner, fashionable look. This Redfin article will present you find out how to step-by-step elimination of popcorn ceilings. Home in Portland, Oregonor replace a Houses in Tampa, Florida. From preparation and security to tip repairs, it helps you determine whether or not to deal with DIY or make a name.
What’s a popcorn ceiling?
The popcorn ceiling has bumpy textured surfaces made with spray-on or paint-on remedies. They have been broadly standard in properties within the mid-Twentieth century, however you possibly can date your house as we speak.
Eradicating popcorn texture will utterly change the house
“After we purchased the home, eradicating the popcorn ceiling was our first DIY undertaking,” shares Jason Graphics. “Even 20 years later, it is nonetheless among the finest upgrades we have made. The graceful ceiling makes an enormous distinction. We by no means appeared again.”
Would you prefer to renovate your private home?
Discover the worth of your private home, edit the info, and see the impression of your private home undertaking.
Would you prefer to renovate your private home?
Discover the worth of your private home, edit the info, and see the impression of your private home undertaking.
Step 1: Testing Asbestos
Earlier than eradicating the popcorn ceiling, it’s important Check the asbestosparticularly if your private home was constructed earlier than the Nineteen Eighties. Asbestos check kits can be found on the ironmongery store. Alternatively, you possibly can rent a licensed skilled.
- If asbestos is optimistic: Cease work instantly and call a certified asbestos discount contractor.
- If that is clear: You’ll be able to both delete it your self and transfer ahead, or rent a common contractor.
Step 2: Gather instruments and supplies
The next are required:
- Drop material or plastic sheet
- The artist’s tape
- Security goggles and dirt masks or respiration system
- Fill in a sprig bottle or backyard sprayer
- 6-12 inch drywall or putty knife
- Ladder or scaffold
- Sandpaper or sanding pole
- Joint compound and putty knife (for patches)
- Primer and ceiling paint
Vacuum scrapers make work simpler and thinner mud
“We love to assist householders tackle tasks at diywithhelp.com, but when asbestos is prone to be current, it is best to depart the professionals with popcorn ceiling elimination.” Help me DIY. “If it is protected, put together it with plastic, put on protecting gear, and mist the ceiling earlier than it will get worn out. A scraper with a vacuum attachment will make your job clear and quicker. This one process is extra troublesome than most individuals count on.”
Step 3: Put together the house
- Transfer furnishings out of the room or cowl it with plastic sheeting.
- Flip off the HVAC system and canopy the vents.
- Tape plastic sheets on partitions, retailers and lighting.
- Make certain the ground is absolutely protected with drop cloths.
Take away delicate supplies and seal every little thing with plastic
“We inform our purchasers to take away all delicate supplies, similar to curtains and bedding, earlier than scraping begins.” Hillwe builder. “It wraps tightly and tapes the leftovers of the thick plastic. It additionally covers the ground, seals vents and doorways to cease the mud spreading. That is important if somebody in the home is delicate to allergens and dirt.”
Ensure you put together your room completely to cut back confusion
“Seal the vents and home windows earlier than rubbing, eradicating and masking every little thing within the room.” Renaissance painting. “We use rosin paper and plastic to guard the flooring, masking the partitions and never spreading mud. Good preparation reduces cleanup and protects the house from injury.
Step 4: Soften the feel
Use a sprig bottle or backyard spray to calmly mist small sections of the ceiling. Soak for about 15-20 minutes. Do not get soaked – it may possibly injury the drywall beneath.
Earlier than portray, put together new plaster or mud
“After rubbing and sanding, it’s important to prime new mud and plaster with OVA primers earlier than portray,” advises the corporate. Gainesville’s paintings. “This step seals the floor, helps to raised fill the paint and obtain a clean, skilled end. The graceful ceiling is larger than those with textures, however the outcomes are price it.”
Mist the ceiling, loosen the feel and scale back mud
“Fog the ceiling with water helps loosen the feel and scale back mud within the air,” he says. The best finish. “Use a large scraper with gradual strain to stop injury to the drywall. Cowl all vents, flip off the HVAC and lock in any mud.”
Painted popcorn ceilings require a stronger distant
“Popcorn disappears when it is moist, however the painted ceiling does not transfer with simply water,” he explains Brightline Painting. “In that case, you will want a industrial grade remover. After it is worn out, you are able to fill the gouge with joint compound. Even a small ceiling can flip into a much bigger job than you’d count on.”
Step 5: Scrape the ceiling
As soon as the feel is moist, gently rub it off with a putty or a drywall knife. Engaged on small sections. Watch out to not gouge the ceiling.
- Tip: The broader blades enable you to create smoother paths.
- choice: To cut back confusion, think about a ceiling texture scraper attachment with a built-in bag.
Step 6: Restore and sand
After eradicating the feel, examine the ceiling for gouges or injury. Patch any space with the joint compound, dry and sand till clean.
Take your time to restore the ceiling earlier than repairing it.
“When popcorn is gone, there are normally cracks and popped screws,” he factors out. Flo drywall. “We’ll restore the drywall, present all of the seams and clean them earlier than refilling. Additionally it is one of the best time to replace ceiling lights. We suggest ending is knockdown, orange peel or clean, adopted by a dyed blocking primer.”
Step 7: Prime and Paint
As soon as the ceiling is clean and clear:
- Apply stain blocking primer.
- Paint with flat or matte ceiling paint for finest outcomes.
Prime earlier than skim coating on flat and uniform floor
“After the rub, I at all times begin with a coat of primer, which helps to make the sticks on my skim coat higher.” Major League drawings. “The three skim coats normally do the trick to flatten the ceiling. As soon as sanded, prime it once more and apply two ceiling paint. It takes time, however the outcomes are price it.”
Add skim coat after scraping for skilled end
“Popcorn elimination is extra than simply scraping. It is about ending,” he explains. Patch man. “After that, we plan not less than two skim coats to degree the ceiling. A small room takes two days, however a full home takes 5. For those who rush this step, it would result in uneven and patchy outcomes.”
Popcorn Ceiling Elimination: Fast Suggestions from Professional
At all times check your asbestos in your previous house earlier than scraping
“If your home was constructed earlier than the 90s, check the asbestos ceiling texture first,” warns. RGB House Painter. “If it is protected, mist the floor and gently rub it with a large putty knife. I like to recommend at all times sealing it out of the room and masking all of it with plastic.
Use protecting gear and skim coat after elimination
“To take away DIY, at all times put on a masks, goggles and gloves and moist the ceiling earlier than shaving.” advises Ceiling Master. “You probably have issues about asbestos, we’ll ship the pattern to a licensed lab. After rubbing, we’ll apply skim coat, a clean sandy prime, paint. That is the one method to get a very fashionable, completed look.”
Use the precise instruments to organize for clear elimination
“To melt the ceiling, use a sprayer crammed with heat water and keep in earlier than rubbing,” he advises. Century paintings. “Use 5 plaster knives at an angle and do not push too exhausting. If the ceiling is painted, it would price you to take away it. After it is worn out, we skim the coat, clean the sand and end it off with two glasses of flat ceiling paint.”
As an alternative of eradicating the popcorn ceiling
If scraping is not for you, there is a fashionable method to cowl the popcorn ceiling with none confusion. Ornamental ceiling boards or tiles may be mounted immediately onto current textures utilizing floor mounted programs. These are available in quite a lot of finishes, together with wood exterior choices that add heat and character to any room.
An alternative choice is to put in a drop ceiling or apply a brand new layer of drywall to offer it a totally clean end. These strategies can save time, scale back mud and supply a contemporary look.
Ornamental boards can cowl popcorn ceilings
“If you wish to skip the confusion, think about masking the popcorn ceiling with wood exterior planks,” suggests Canopy by Armstrong. “They are often connected on to current ceilings with vans and clips, and no scraping is required. They’re fast upgrades that cover injury and add heat. Plus, they utterly keep away from the danger of asbestos.”
Ought to I rent an knowledgeable to take away the popcorn ceiling?
Hiring an expert will prevent time, stress and potential injury. Particularly if the ceiling is optimistic or examined for asbestos. The professionals have the instruments and expertise to rapidly and cleanly deal with skim coating, sanding and repairs. Additionally, be certain that the room is correctly sealed attributable to mud and particles included.
In case you are uncertain concerning the situation of the ceiling or are assured to have a clean end, hiring a contractor is the most secure route.
Painted ceilings are tough to take away and should require skilled assist
“If the popcorn ceiling feels the flakes simply with cholky, it is in all probability not painted, so you possibly can rub it off after a lightweight mist.” Express DryWall Service. “Painted ceilings are rather more tough. You will want to use a brand new drywall on prime or add a brand new drywall.”
Rent a finisher and ask to see their work earlier than you commit.
“Popcorn elimination can appear easy at first look, however coating and portray skims is a finesse job,” he says. Site 604. “After elimination, use three skim coats and a excessive construct surfer surfer for an ideal end. Then apply two flat white ceiling paint with a sprayer. At all times verify the face-to-face instance.
How a lot does it price to take away a popcorn ceiling?
DIY Delete:
- Materials Value: ~$50~$150
- Time: 1-2 days in common room
Skilled deletion:
- Common Value: $1-2 per sq. foot
- Complete of 500 sq. toes room: ~$500~$1,000
- Prices could improve if asbestos is current or if restore is required
Will eradicating popcorn ceilings improve the worth of the home?
sure. You’ll be able to take away the popcorn ceiling:
- Replace your private home with extra modernity
- Interesting to extra consumers
- It might improve resale worth, particularly in extremely aggressive markets.
In response to actual property consultants, clean ceiling finishes could make your private home look higher with photographs and open homes, offering strong earnings in your efforts and investments.
Wish to understand how ceiling updates have an effect on the worth of your private home? Strive it free of charge What is the value of my home? A calculator that obtains quick estimates.
Wish to lower your expenses in your mortgage?
Refinance now to cut back your month-to-month funds.
Incessantly Requested Questions on Eradicating Popcorn Ceilings
1. Is it protected to take away the popcorn ceiling your self?
Sure – If the ceiling exams damaging about asbestos and is glad with the DIY house enchancment undertaking. At all times put on protecting gear.
2. How lengthy does it take to take away the popcorn ceiling?
For a typical 10’x12′ room, count on the method to take 1-2 days, together with preparation, elimination, restore, portray, and so on.
3. Can I paint on the popcorn ceiling as an alternative?
Sure, but it surely does not provide the identical clean end. Portray is a quicker choice to refresh the look, however it may possibly darken or weigh the feel over time.
4.Do all popcorn ceilings comprise asbestos?
no. Just some previous ceilings – primarily utilized earlier than the Nineteen Eighties – comprise asbestos. At all times check first.
