Removing Popcorn Ceiling Texture in the NOVA Area
We've all made fashion choices we later regretted, right? Fortunately, clothes can be replaced, hair grows out again, and piercings can be removed. But what about that ill-advised tattoo? Well, home design has also made some unfortunate choices, such as popcorn ceiling texture. The only thing we can say about it is, "It seemed like a good idea at the time!" So, can popcorn ceiling texture be removed? Yes! (and it's not as hard as tattoo removal!)
Can I Remove My Popcorn Ceiling Myself?
The actual process of removing the texture is not very difficult. In fact, it can even be kinda fun, if you enjoy making messes! The problem is asbestos (definitely not fun). Many homes built between 1950 and 1985 have asbestos in the ceiling texture, making it very hazardous to remove without serious precautions. If your home was built during this time period, you will want to have it tested for asbestos before you tackle this project.
As we mentioned, removing a popcorn ceiling is quite a messy task. So before you begin, remove everything from the room that's easy to remove. Then use plastic or tarps to cover everything else.
To remove popcorn texture, dampen the ceiling with water using a spray bottle or garden sprayer. Give the water a few moments to soak in and loosen the texture. Then use a wide-bladed putty knife or scraper to scrape off the texture. Try to remove as much texture as you can without gouging the drywall behind it.
Rather than spraying and scraping the whole ceiling at once, begin with an area about 3 feet square, and move systematically across the ceiling as you finish each square. Once the texture is removed, wash the ceiling with a sponge and water to get off remaining residue.
Before you can paint the now-bare ceiling, it will probably need some patching to get it smooth. Also, you definitely want to wait until the ceiling is completely dry, or the painting will be disastrous!
Is There an Easier Way to Remove Popcorn Ceiling Texture?
Absolutely! If you hire a professional painting company, they already have all of the skills and equipment necessary to do the job quickly and with great results. This is especially important if your home may have asbestos, since a painting contractor knows the correct ways to handle hazardous materials.
The process described above sounds simple in theory, but actually doing it can be quite tricky. The toughest part is patching and sanding to get the ceiling smooth enough for paint. However, this is where a painting contractor can really shine! Preparing surfaces and applying paint are what we do best!
In short, popcorn ceiling removal can be done by a homeowner, but it will be done more quickly and safely, with better results, and with far less work for you, if you find a quality house painter to help.
Residential and Commercial Painting Contracter
Williams Professional Painting has been serving the DC area, including Maryland and Northern Virginia, for almost four decades. We offer popcorn ceiling texture removal for residential and commercial clients, as well as many other painting services. You can contact us by phone or online if you have questions or would like to schedule an estimate.
