How can I remove popcorn ceilings? What do I use to replace them so the ceiling looks smooth? Thanks?

A Friend of mine used to apply them years ago. Once, while we were talking about environmental dangers he said that they used Asbestos to give it the popcorn ceilings the correct texture. Now he is concerned about the aspects of dying from it. If it has asbestos as part of the mixture, leave it alone. There are Federal guidelines follow in it's removal. The main reason it came up is that we worked in heavy industry. I had halted the removal of some asbestos from pipe in the shop until the proper guide lines were followed. I had to fight my union along with the company because they were basing their solution on an esoteric phrase in one of the outdated outlines for asbestos removal. I was viewed the "expert" after several months of fighting against them and winning. There are no known safety levels of exposure. Encapsulation is the recommended solution. Install sheetrock over it. Remember that even the drilling of the screws to hold it in place will release some fibers. Gluing over it and hanging the sheetrock has a tendency to pull layer off the ceiling. Do some further research and decide before attempting to remove it. If children are involved they are even more vulnerable then adults. Don't leave them with the specter of a premature, painful death being your legacy to them..

Many popcorn finishes contain asbestos so don't tackle this work until you know for sure that it doesn't. Contact your local building department for information about testing.

If the ceiling doesn't contain asbestos then you're in for a messy, tedious, but not particularly difficult job. Here's how This Old House contractor Tom Silva would tackle it:

Removing a Popcorn Finish

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/asktoh/question/0,...

He didn't mention spritzing the ceiling with water as you work but I've heard that this helps to loosen the material. It will also dampen dust though it will NOT make asbestos safe. Be sure to cover everything below the ceiling because this will be messy no matter how you tackle it.

I have a procorn ceiling, i'm thinking about covering it with new 1/4" sheet rock with or without firring strips

No mess just screw in some rock, tape and spackle.

Funny I came across this one! We just did this to our house. The easiest, less messy, way is to fill a spray bottle with water. Spray sections, and use a flat metal paint scrapper to remove. Finish by using fine grit sandpaper.

Hope this helps!!

True using a scraper then use the sander to smooth the rough spot is the only way to go!

you can rent a steamer for wall paper at home depot, steam and scrape