What is the easiest way to get rid of popcorn ceiling?

Wet it with a pump sprayer

For easier scraping and practically no dust during popcorn ceiling removal, use a garden pump sprayer to mist the ceiling and let it soak in for about 15 minutes before scraping. Only give it a light misting—too much water could damage the drywall or loosen the joint tape.

Likewise, how much does it cost to get rid of popcorn ceiling?

Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost. The average cost to remove popcorn ceiling is between $1,010 and $2,260 with most homeowners spending about $1,710. Contractors typically charge $1 to $2 per square foot for removal of popcorn ceilings.

Similarly, is it difficult to remove popcorn ceiling? Popcorn ceilings, also known as cottage cheese or acoustic ceilings, have a bumpy and textured appearance. While some appreciate the finish, others find it outdated, difficult to clean and potentially hazardous. If your popcorn ceiling is covered in paint, it may be more difficult to remove.

People also ask, how long does it take to remove popcorn ceiling?

If you go with traditional methods — that is, scraping and removing, then resurfacing your ceilings — and hire a professional, you can expect approximately 20 hours of work to remove and replace your popcorn ceiling a 500sq foot area.

Does removing popcorn ceiling increase home value?

That said, the value gained by removing a popcorn ceiling does increase considering buyers' expectations for homes of a certain size and in a certain price range. Schutte estimates that removing a popcorn ceiling would add $25,000 to $35,000 in value for a large estate executive home.

34 Related Question Answers Found

Do I need to prime the ceiling after removing popcorn?

After removing the popcorn, the ceiling should be sanded and bad seams and the dings need to be "topped off" After topping off and sanding, it is wise to prime the ceiling before trying to roll on texture. Bare drywall will suck the moisture out of the paitn and prevent you from distrbuting the texture evenly.

How do you smooth popcorn ceilings?

When scraping popcorn ceilings, you'll want to use a 4-inch utility knife or a drywall knife to chip away at the texture and create a smooth surface. You'll probably need to skim it with a thin layer of joint compound to smooth out imperfections, then sand it smooth before repainting.

Can you vacuum popcorn ceiling?

Put the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner and gently run it over the ceiling. This will remove dirt and cobwebs. You can also use a feather duster to clean the ceiling, but it your ceiling is very dirty, the vacuum is the better choice. Cooking grease and cigarette smoke can stain popcorn ceilings.

What does asbestos popcorn ceiling look like?

As opposed to the smooth ceilings of today's modern homes, asbestos ceilings are textured and rustic in appearance. They can be white or cream-coloured with a bumpy texture that resembles cottage cheese. Unfortunately, a popcorn ceiling made with asbestos will look no different than any other textured ceiling.

Is there a tool to remove popcorn ceiling?

A scraper: Any 6- to 10-inch drywall knife will work as a scraper, but to make life easier, Lipford suggests a special popcorn scraper tool from Homax ($21.99, Homax), which has a loop to attach a garbage bag, so you can scrape right into the bag instead of onto the floor.

Why is popcorn ceiling bad for you?

One of the primary reasons people seek popcorn ceiling removal is to reduce their risk of asbestos exposure. Any popcorn ceilings that predate 1978 likely contain asbestos, which can cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

What's wrong with popcorn ceilings?

Some people think the popcorn ceilings have asbestos and are dangerous. Some of the 1950s and 1960s popcorn had asbestos, but these ceilings emit no vapors or fumes that can be inhaled. As long as they are covered with paint, and you don't disturb and breath the dust, you are not exposed to anything toxic.

Is it worth removing popcorn ceiling?

It's not prohibitively expensive to remove, so you might want to simply get rid of the ceiling if everything else about the property really is perfect, Workers might scrape away the mess to reveal beautiful plaster perfectly intact underneath. But a popcorn ceiling more commonly covers up a bad drywall and mudding job.

How do you knock down a popcorn ceiling?

Scan over the areas and apply more mixture where you need to fill in the gaps or uneven spaces and let sit for 15 minutes.

Scrape. The final step to completing your DIY knockdown ceiling project is to the scrape across the textured compound with a knockdown knife.
Paint. Spray versus rolling is always the big question.

Can you remove popcorn ceiling yourself?

For easier scraping and practically no dust during popcorn ceiling removal, use a garden pump sprayer to mist the ceiling and let it soak in for about 15 minutes before scraping. If the texture has paint mixed in, you might have to dry-scrape the whole ceiling or cover it up with drywall or T&G boards.

How much does skim coating cost?

Cost to Skim Coating

Item details	Qty	High
Unused Minimum Labor Balance of 4 hr(s) minimum labor charge that can be applied to other tasks.	0.0 h	$0
Totals - Cost To Skim Coating	500 SF	$544
Average Cost per Square Foot		$1.09

What do you replace popcorn ceilings with?

Options to Replace Popcorn Ceilings. You can cover popcorn texture with Styrofoam tiles.

Why do people put popcorn ceilings?

The reason why popcorn ceilings are also called acoustic ceilings is because they are better at absorbing sound. This is in part because of the increased surface area due to all the raised bumps, which is said to help muffle noise.

What year did they stop using asbestos in popcorn ceilings?

1977,

How much does it cost to remove popcorn ceiling with paint?

On average, popcorn ceiling removal comes with a price tag that ranges from $1 to $2 per square foot, with the average homeowner spending around $1,570. Having the finish textured and painted afterwards could certainly add to that amount.

Can you skim coat popcorn ceiling?

Skim Coat. Your ceiling will still have some texture, but a skim coat won't look dated like a popcorn texture does. Use a quick-set mud drywall to give your skim coat a good base and avoid having your popcorn ceiling ruin your skim coat.

How much does it cost to smooth a textured ceiling?

Costs. The basic labor for a 250-square foot textured ceiling, including the cost of the texture material but with no additional prep work, costs between $215 and $260 for about 3.5 hours.