How to Knock Down Ceiling Brocade

Remove any furniture, draperies or unnecessary objects from the space. Knocking down textured ceilings is a messy procedure and creates a dust that is difficult to remove from upholstered surfaces.

Cover the walls, flooring, light fixtures and anything stationary in the room with plastic tarp. Secure the tarp to these surfaces with painter’s tape to help with clean up.

Prepare yourself for the removal process by slipping on a pair of rubber gloves, old clothing, safety goggles and a dust mask. Fill a plastic bottle with plain, warm water and begin to cover the ceiling with a light spritzing of the water. Work in 2 to 3 foot sections to ensure the water doesn’t evaporate before you reach all the brocading.

Climb a step ladder and begin to scrape away the joint knife. While holding the knife at a 45-degree angle, scrape away the brocading until the tile or drywall beneath is exposed. Don’t exert too much force so you don't gouge or damage the ceiling beneath the texture.

Continue to dampen the ceiling with water and scrape away the brocading until the job is finished. Once you’re done, remove the plastic from the walls, flooring and any other surfaces and toss them into a garbage bag.