How to Remove a Stomp Ceiling

A stomp ceiling is simply the name applied to the technique of texturing a plaster ceiling while the plaster is still in the process of drying. As with popcorn or crow's foot ceiling texturing, it gives a particular look to the finish. Additionally, the ceiling material is also plaster, so regardless of the finish, the ceiling is taken down in the same way. This job is a demolition project, so you should remove all items from the room before you start.

Dumpster
Wheelbarrow
Drop cloths
Ladder
Safety glasses
Dusk mask
Work gloves
Hammer
Claw bar
Broom
Dust pan
Vacuum

Instructions

- 1
  Rent a dumpster and wheelbarrow, if you do not have access to these items. When you remove a stomp ceiling, you'll be disposing of a lot of plaster debris.
- 2
  Empty the room in its entirety; leave nothing inside.
- 3
  Put down drop cloths over the room's floor to protect the floor's finish and to make cleanup easier. Stand a ladder in the corner farthest from the opening. Roll a wheelbarrow into the room.
- 4
  Open the windows in the room and put on safety glasses, a dust mask and work gloves.
- 5
  Climb the ladder, and hammer a hole into the corner of the stomp ceiling to create a starting point. Look for exposed roof trusses.
- 6
  Slide the blade of a claw bar in between the stomp ceiling and any exposed roof trusses. If no trusses are immediately visible, hammer a larger hole. Begin to pull the stomp ceiling down with the claw bar. Continue in sections, removing the plaster stomp ceiling and throwing the debris into the wheelbarrow.
- 7
  Take down the plaster stomp ceiling piece by piece, occasionally emptying the wheelbarrow into the dumpster as it fills. Pull out all nails with a claw bar and/or hammer after the ceiling has been taken down.
- 8
  Roll up the drop cloths once the plaster stomp ceiling has been completely removed. Sweep the floor thoroughly with a broom and dust pan, then vacuum the floor.

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