Textured ceilings helped to absorb sound and tone down echoes, which made them pretty popular in the past. Since then, the look has fallen out style, and is pretty much never used in modern design. Unfortunately, it’s still present in a lot of older homes. This probably has a lot to do with the fact that popcorn ceilings can be incredibly difficult to remove.
While it might be tempting to try and remove it yourself, it’s the sort of task that is best left to the experts. Not only is it a tough job, but it can also present some safety concerns. When you’re ready to finally get rid of that popcorn ceiling, there are a few things you need to consider.
Popcorn & Textured Ceiling Removal Process
To understand the process of removing a popcorn ceiling or any textured ceiling, we need to take a look at what it actually is. This spray-on or paint-on ceiling treatment used to contain white asbestos, but after the 70s, it moved to a paper-based or Styrofoam product to create the texture. Removing it can turn into a much more complicated process, depending on what kind of material is used.
There’s one thing you can guarantee when removing any type of textured ceiling treatment: it’s going to be a multi-step process. We’ve laid out the steps below to give you an idea of what it’s like.
The Process of Popcorn Ceiling Removal and Painting:
- Removing light switches and fixtures from the room.
- All furniture and floors are fully masked due to the sufficient level of residue, dust and material removed.
- Unpainted stucco (popcorn ceiling) is easier to remove as it just requires a water-based solution which dissolves the stucco.
- Painted stucco requires increased effort to remove and often results in further prep after removal due to the substrate being affected.
- After removal, the substrate will be fully filled to provide a new flat finish.
- New filling will be sanded and primed in advance of application of the finish coat.
- All removed material will be vacuumed and cleaned.
Benefits of Removing Popcorn Ceiling
So why should you go through all that work to get rid of those popcorn ceilings? For starters, it gives your home a much more sleek and modern look. You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference it makes! It’s also a good idea to remove it if you’re planning to sell your home soon. Many buyers will shy away from taking on a place they know they’ll have to do extra renovations on right away.
From an aesthetic standpoint, when the surfaces start to get older, they can often start to yellow. This can also happen if there’s any water damage. In the long run, it’s better to remove it rather than just painting over it again, since it will only happen again.
Popcorn Ceiling Containing Asbestos
Before you even start the process of removing your popcorn ceiling, there’s one important thing you need to think about. As mentioned earlier, some older homes might have popcorn ceilings that contain asbestos and lead. If your house was built prior to 1981, it will need to be checked for these substances before you can start removing it.
If asbestos or lead is present, this can make the process much more complicated. In this instance, the job must absolutely be done by professionals who are trained in dealing with asbestos. It’s important to take extra safety precautions, as breathing in the dust can be very harmful. It’s likely that you’ll have to completely seal off the room during the process, and you won’t be allowed back in until the painting is complete and all the dust has been removed.
Get in Touch Today!
If you’ve got some popcorn ceilings that you’re ready to say goodbye to, let us know! Book a free, no obligation estimate for your interior painting job today. Just give us a call at 1-888-969-1329 or visit us online.
