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? asked in Home & GardenDecorating & Remodeling · 3 months ago

POPCORN CEILING how to remove?

So I recently bought a home with this type of ceiling and I saw that it was called popcorn ceiling and was wondering that when I remove it will I have marks on the roof? Since I can’t afford to pay someone for plastering or do it myself cause I don’t know how to, I just want to remove this popcorn ceiling and just paint afterwards

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10 Answers

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  • zipper
    Lv 7
    2 months ago

    Popcorn ceiling can be a directly built up on sheet rock; or it could be an older type were that is the whole think.  Most likely if a newer house it is built up on the sheet rock and with lots of care can be removed: and I mean lots of care TOO!  If you can get into the area over this ceiling and see if there is sheet rock there or plywood; yes you can if not leave it alone until you can afford someone to do it for you!

  • Anonymous
    2 months ago

    That's not popcorn ceiling. It's textured using thinned drywall mud on a special brush and then painted.  

    It's very difficult to remove and impossible without damaging the drywall underneath.  

    Most people either have it skim coated or smooth or put up thin drywall over the top.  

    IF by some chance it isn't painted, spray a section with water, let it soak until it gets soft.  Repeat watering as necessary.  You can then use a drywall taping knife to scrape the softened mud off the ceiling.  

  • 2 months ago

    HAVE IT TESTED FIRST for asbestos!!! And if asbestos is present, absolutely DO NOT try removing this yourself. You will need professional asbestos abatement!! I can't emphasize this enough--do NOT ever try removing asbestos on your own. If there is no asbestos, then you can scrape or remove it yourself, but it ends up being a complete MESS when you do. 

    If there is no asbestos, then I suggest you check youtube or google for ideas. 

  • ?
    Lv 6
    3 months ago

    Spray the Ceiling With Water Before Carefully Scraping Away the Popcorn Texture. Fact: A wet scrape is easier than a dry scrape. Use a garden sprayer to wet a four-by-four-foot area of the ceiling. “You will want to wet down and spray the ceiling with water to make the removal of the popcorn easier,” he says.

  • 3 months ago

    So I as of late purchased a home with this sort of roof and I saw that it was called popcorn roof and was pondering that when I eliminate it will I have blemishes on the rooftop? Since I can't stand to pay somebody for putting or do it without anyone else's help cause I don't have a clue how to, I simply need to eliminate this popcorn roof and simply paint subsequently

  • 3 months ago

    Be aware, scrapping off the popcorn (which is labor intensive and very very messy) may leave just the tyvek or what the substate is exposed and just paining it looks awful. It needs to be re plastered/skim coated.

    Source(s): been there done that
  • 3 months ago

    Popcorn ceilings serve a purpose- noise reduction for one. Removing it involves spraying it with water and scraping it off, inch by inch. Ask someone at your home improvement store for advice. It's not anywhere near the roof. But it is hard to get it off evenly so that you can just paint afterwards. 

  • T C
    Lv 7
    3 months ago

    First you want to cover everything in the room (if you have things in there)…. cover the floor also with plastic.

    Some people use spray bottles I have used a cheap garden sprayer filled with warm water.

    Attach a broad knife 6 or 8” to a mop handle or something that will be long enough to reach…duct tape the broad knife to the pole and spray the ceiling with the water in sections. 

    Let it sit for 10 min (you may need to spray it twice) then scrape with the broad knife. ……It will come in in clumpy sheets.

    You can do it dry but it can get dusty.

    Afterwards you can sand ...it skim coat it... or do your own texture 

  • Sandy
    Lv 7
    3 months ago

    Depending on the age of the home, there could be the danger of asbestos exposure. 

    Removing it yourself,  especially since you admit you don't know how to, is a complicated and messy endeavor. 

    You really need  professional to help, not just some random video.

  • 3 months ago

    You need a plasterer; you won't be able to deal with it yourself unless you have plastering skills. (it's called artex)

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