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


7 Rules for Choosing The Right Area Rug

You just moved into your new home. You've purchased the perfect furniture and accessories. You even found the perfect area rug to add to your hardwood floors, but you're totally stumped on which size to buy.

Maintaining Your Hot Water Heater

Water heaters generally have a lifespan of 8-12 years, but as with anything, the better care you take of it, the longer it will last. There are several easy "set it and forget it" tips that you can use with your water heater, like keeping the thermostat at 120 degrees, and always maintain two feet of clearance around the appliance. You can also conserve money on your gas bill by setting your heater to its "vacation" setting when leaving town. This will keep the pilot light going without heating the water.

5 Tips to Clean and Prepare Your Air Conditioner for Summer

Making it through the summer without a working air conditioning system isn't feasible in some parts of the country. Even if you live in a temperate climate, your AC system will make you and your family much more comfortable at home.

Follow These Steps Before Starting Your Kitchen Remodel

If your kitchen is looking a bit dated, consider a remodel to upgrade its efficiency and looks. Here's a quick guide to planning your kitchen update:

8 Amazingly Easy Tips For A Pet-Friendly Home

For many of us, it's an absolute pleasure to share our homes with our four-legged best friends. But there's no denying that our pets can sometimes lead to wear and tear on our homes. Yet with careful planning and some redesigned elements, we can enhance our house so that it's conducive to our pets and ourselves. If you live with a beloved pet, the following design trends and home-living tips are sure to promote a home that's comfortable for everyone -- and everything -- that lives there.

8 Paint Colors for a Standout Front Door?

Extend a standout greeting with a memorable hue at your home's entry

Inspired Ways To Create A Guest Space When You Don't Have A Guest Room

Not all of us are blessed with enough bedrooms to accommodate every member of the family plus a home office and a man cave and a theater room and a guest space. And, it's that last one that often ends up as a challenge when friends and family come to visit and you either have to break out the blow-up bed or give up your room and hunker down with the kids. You don't need to add on or buy a new home to provide a comfortable space for guests. These smart solutions will help you create a great space for guests with minimal effort.

8 Great Tricks For Keeping Mosquitos Away

We all know about using bug spray. And citronella candles. But what about other ways to keep those pesky mosquitos away? As if they weren't annoying enough before, the threat of the Zika Virus has made mosquitos even more dangerous. So we've scoured the web for the best tricks for keeping the buggers away.

Ideas for Saving Energy with Your Smart Home

You may feel safe inside on a hot, smoggy day, but hidden dangers could be damaging your health right in your own home. In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 4.3 million people a year die from exposure to household air pollution. Poorly ventilated dwellings, smoking around the home and fine particles can all negatively impact your health.

Easy Architectural Details You Can Add To Your Home

Newer homes, especially those geared toward first-time buyers, are often devoid of the level of architectural detail you would find in older or more expensive homes. If you're not a fan of the big, boring box look, you can easily add in some detail to up the charm factor. And, many of these projects can be done yourself with minimal skill and money.

See More Articles