How to Remove Popcorn Blown Onto the Ceiling

Preparation

• 1

  Test the ceiling for asbestos before beginning the removal. Asbestos is sometimes found in popcorn ceilings from as late as 1986, according to Popular Mechanics. Use a testing kit that uses an EPA-certified testing lab. Follow the kit instructions for removing the test sample. If your ceiling contains asbestos, you will need to use a professional asbestos removal company to remove the popcorn ceiling. If your ceiling does not contain asbestos, you can remove it yourself.

• 2

  Turn off the power to the room at the breaker. Use a circuit tester to test the outlets to make sure they are not receiving power. Follow the directions on the circuit tester to test the power.

• 3

  Remove the curtains and furniture from the room. If the furniture is too heavy to move, leave it in place.

• 4

  Turn off central air conditioners or heaters. Use a piece of heavy-duty plastic sheeting and masking tape to seal the vents.

• 5

  Cut pieces of heavy-duty plastic sheeting and tape them over the electrical outlets.

• 6

  Remove ceiling fans and light fixtures, or wrap them in heavy-duty plastic sheeting.

• 7

  Roll out heavy-duty plastic sheeting to cover the floor and any remaining furniture. Run the sheeting 12 inches up the wall as well. Use masking tape to hold the plastic sheeting in place. Roll out resin paper on the floor, on top of the plastic sheeting, to absorb water.

• 8

  Cover the walls, including the doorways, with plastic sheeting. Allow the plastic sheeting to lap over the plastic sheeting on the floor. Use masking tape to hold the sheets in place. Let the plastic overlap at a doorway to allow for entry and exit.

• 9

  Sand the corners and edges of a 4-inch metal putty knife with 80-grit sandpaper. This softens the metal blade and helps prevent gouging the underlying drywall.

• 10

  Pour 2 tbsp. of liquid dish soap into a 1-gallon garden sprayer. Add water to fill the sprayer and shake it to mix the solution.

• 11

  Put on a dust mask and goggles.

• 12

  Spray a 12-inch by 12-inch section of ceiling lightly with the garden sprayer. If the water readily absorbs into the ceiling, the ceiling is unpainted. If the water drips off the ceiling and does not absorb, the ceiling is painted. Follow the directions in the appropriate section to remove the popcorn ceiling.

Removing Unpainted Popcorn Ceiling

• 13

  Spray a 4-foot by 4-foot section of ceiling with the garden sprayer. Spray heavily enough that the section gets wet, but not so heavily that water drips off. Wait 15 minutes for the water to soak in.

• 14

  Work the blade of the putty knife under a section of wet ceiling. Keep the putty knife as flat as possible to avoid gouging the drywall. If the ceiling is still too dry to remove easily, spray it again and wait five minutes. Use a stepladder to reach the ceiling.

• 15

  Scrape the popcorn ceiling away from the drywall. Keeping the putty blade as flat as possible, run it between the popcorn ceiling and the drywall.

Removing Painted Popcorn Ceiling

• 16

  Attach 80-grit sandpaper to a sanding block attached to an extension pole.

• 17

  Sand a 4-foot by 4-foot section of ceiling to remove the bumps. Spray the sanded section with the garden sprayer. Wait 15 minutes.

• 18

  Work the blade of the putty knife under a section of wet ceiling. Keep the putty knife as flat as possible. If the ceiling is too dry to remove easily, sand the ceiling with the sanding block again, removing more of the paint. Spray the ceiling with water again and wait five minutes. Repeat the sanding and spraying process until the popcorn ceiling absorbs enough water that you can scrape it off.

Finishing

• 19

  Continue the process, moving around the room until all the popcorn ceiling is removed. Wipe the ceiling with a damp rag to remove the dust residue.

• 20

  Pull down the plastic sheeting from the walls and pile it on the floor. Remove the plastic sheeting from outlet covers, windows, ceiling fans and light fixtures, and pile it on the floor. Roll up the floor plastic sheeting into a bundle and remove it from the room.

• 21

  Use drywall mud to repair any gouges, scrapes or exposed drywall seams.