Table of Contents
Why Popcorn Ceilings Are Outdated
How To Remove Popcorn Ceilings Like A Pro
Preparing Your Home for the Removal Process
The Step By Step Removal Process
Review and Clean Up
Prep and Paint
DIY or Pro?
Why Popcorn Ceilings Are Outdated
Popcorn ceilings may have had their upward trend, but let’s be brutally honest: They are a disgrace to your interior. Even worse, they are nearly impossible to repair, no matter what skills you have or what tools are in your belt. In fact, in the long history of popcorn ceiling repair, I don’t think one has ever been truly invisible. A successful repair would mean that you couldn’t tell it ever happened, but with popcorn ceilings, that’s simply not the case. If you are still living under a cratered canopy of textured regret, it might be time to smooth things over.
Why You Should Remove Your Popcorn Ceilings
Popcorn ceilings are a thing of the past, and honestly, good riddance! They tend to trap dust like a magnet and if they predate the 90’s, they could also contain asbestos.
Scraping these ceilings off doesn’t just freshen up your space, it also makes cleaning easier and can increase the value of your home.
Asbestos Safety
If your home was built in the 90s or before, don’t start scraping your ceiling yet. Get it tested for asbestos first. You can grab a DIY kit at your local store or call a professional, but either way, it’s a step that you don’t want ti skip. The last thing you want is to have dangerous particles floating in the air. Testing can cost anywhere from $250-$850, which is a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Steps for Asbestos Testing
DIY Testing
Have you decided you want to try and tackle this yourself? First, make sure you grab a testing kit that includes processing fees and the mailer to send your samples. Next, remember, safety gear is a must. Put on your mask, gloves, and other PPE to ensure you are well protected. We have provided a list of these items below.
Once you have your samples, follow the instructions in the kit to package them up and send them off to the lab. You’ll need to set up an online account to track your results, so be ready for that step.
Professional Testing
Professionals will send your samples to a certified asbestos lab for testing. It will cost you around $40 for the first test, and then $25 for each additional sample. The results? You can expect those within five business days. Not bad, right?
DIY vs. Professional Removal:
We’ve discussed the costs of doing it yourself, but removing that popcorn ceiling also requires time, tools, and effort. Professionals will charge somewhere between $900 and $2,500, but they know how to handle everything safely.
| Comparison | DIY | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (500 sq. ft.) | $300–$900 | $900–$2,500 |
| Time | 2–4 days | 1–2 days |
| Asbestos Handling | Extra effort/cost | Handled for you |
| Skill Required | High | None |
How To Remove Popcorn Ceilings Like A Pro: No Mess, Just Results
Getting Ready for Removal
Whether you are handling this yourself or bringing in a pro, here is a list of recommended gear to safely and properly remove that popcorn ceiling. Think of this list as a guide and if you’re ever in doubt about what you need, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional or do a little more research.
Safety Gear
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Construction-rated dust masks
- Safety goggles or a full face shield
- Heavy-duty work gloves
Basic Tools
- A sturdy ladder
- Painter’s extension poles
- A wide paint scraper or drywall knife
- Spray bottle or garden sprayer
- Work light
Preparation Materials
- Drywall compound
- Spackling paste
- Sanding blocks
- Paint rollers and trays
- Primer and paint
Once you’ve gathered everything, it’s time to focus on safety and prep the rooms. If you’ve hired a professional, all you need to do is sit back and let them handle the hard work!
Safety First
First things first! Make sure your turn off your HVAC system to keep dust from spreading throughout your home. Use fans to direct that air out through the windows.
And if you must use a ladder, make sure someone is nearby to lend a hand, you don’t want to go solo on this project!
Preparing Your Home for the Removal Process
Properly preparing your home prior to the removal is a key part of the process. If you get it done ahead of time the process will be a breeze and you will have no massive cleanup after!
Prepare the Room
Move any furniture you can out of the room. For anything you can’t budge, cover it up with waterproof tarps and heavy-duty plastic sheeting.
Protect Surfaces
Cover the floors and walls with plastic sheeting, and secure the edges with reliable duct tape. For a more secure seal, use painter’s tape along the wall and ceiling edges.
Electrical Precautions
No one wants to get electrocuted! To avoid that, turn off the power to your ceiling fixtures and fans. You can either remove them entirely or cover them with plastic and secure them, just like you did with the surfaces.
The Step-by-Step Removal Process
We recommend following this step-by-step process to ensure a seamless experience in the removal of your popcorn ceiling. This can certainly feel overwhelming, so if that’s the case, don’t hesitate to call in a local professional. It might cost a bit more, but it will save you time and hassle in the end!
Get Started With A Water Application
You should work in sections of about 10 square feet at a time. Get started by lightly spraying warm water over the area until the texture is damp enough to scrape.
It is a good idea to test a small spot first so you can get a feel for it before tackling the larger sections. Do not overdo it, as too much water can cause damage to your drywall. Once it’s damp enough, you’re ready to start scraping!
Start Scraping With These Scraping Methods
Hold your drywall scraper at a 30-degree angle and apply steady, even pressure as you scrape the damp sections. Start slow to get the hang of it, and once you’ve got some practice, you can pick up the pace!
To get the best results:
- File down the edges of smaller tools to avoid gouging the surface.
- Wipe the blade clean often to remove any residual buildup.
- Maintain consistent pressure to protect the drywall underneath.
- For more challenging spots, use shorter, more controlled strokes.
Find an Area That is Proving to be Difficult?
If you come across areas that are harder to scrape than others, try these steps:
- Reapply warm water to the surface and let it set for a few minutes before trying again.
- Use a smaller tool to work around corners, fixtures, and hard-to-reach areas.
- Dry scraping might be more effective if the texture still won’t budge.
“Remember, you can always spray the ceiling again to help loosen up a difficult area.” – Architectural Digest Staff [1]
Review and Clean Up
Next, you need to review your work for errors and prepare to clean up the work area.
Fixing Surface Damage
- After removing the popcorn texture, check the exposed ceiling for any damage. You can use a damp sponge to clean off any remaining debris.
- For minor issues, apply a thin layer of joint compound to scratches, fill dents with a smooth application, or use multiple layers of compound for deeper gouges. Just make sure to sand between coats!
- For more severe damage, like large cracks or weak seams, reinforce the area with drywall tape before covering it with joint compound. Make sure each layer dries fully before adding a new one.
Once all repairs are done, you are ready to sand the surface for a smooth finish!
Easy Breezy Clean Up
If you have protected the work area and moved any furniture, as previously discussed, cleanup should be a breeze. Start by vacuuming any loose debrise from plastic sheeting, working from the center and moving outwards.
Roll up the plastic to carefully trap any debris inside, then toss it into garbage bags. Next, vacuum the room with a HEPA=filtered vacuum, then wipe down walls, windows and hard floors with a damp cloth and citrus based cleaner. Keep any rooms you worked in well-ventilated until the dust settles.
Ready to Start Painting? Make Sure to Prepare the Surface First
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So you’ve gotten everything cleaned up, sanded, and now you are ready to start painting? Make sure to prepare your work area again first, properly covering any areas you don’t want paint to get on with plastic sheeting. You’ll also want to make sure you cover any trim with painters’ tape to avoid getting paint on the ceiling trim.
Start sanding with 60-80 grit sandpaper to remove the rough areas, then you can move to a 120-220 grit sandpaper for a more polished surface[2]. Once the ceiling is smooth, then wipe it down to remove any dust left from sanding. Now that your ceiling is nice and clean, it is time for you to start painting!
Paint Preparation
Prepare the room by removing furniture, covering fixtures, and taping off the edges of the ceiling, similar to what you did before you removed the ceiling.
Primer Application
You’ll want to use a high-quality drywall sealer to get started with priming the surface. This will highlight any areas that may be in need of extra patching and ensure that the paint adheres properly. You must let the primer dry completely before you continue.
Paint Selection
Choose paint that is specifically designed for ceilings to help reduce dripping. Flat or matte finishes are a good choice for hiding any imperfections, while an eggshell finish will work well in kitchens and bathrooms because of its moisture resistance[3][4.
Application Tools
| Area Type | Recommended Roller Nap | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth Ceiling | Low-nap (¼ inch) | Even coverage, minimal texture |
| Slightly Textured | ½ inch nap | Better coverage in shallow grooves |
| Edges/Corners | 2-inch angled brush | Precise cutting in |
When painting, use W-shaped strokes to ensure even coverage [3]. For the best results, allow at least six hours between coats and apply a minimum of two coats [2].
Choosing Between DIY or Professional Help
Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a professional is entirely up to you. If you choose to tackle the project yourself, you should be prepared for the time it takes to invest in such a large-scale project and ensure that you are meeting the proper safety standards. In the end, you will spend as much on supplies and testing as you would to hire a professional to do the same work.
Save yourself time and headaches by contacting your local painting contractor!
When You Should Choose to Hire a Professional
You should opt for professional assistance if your project involves a large area, tight deadlines or physical challenges. Additionally, if your home has any extra safety risks, contacting a pro is your best option. Season experts like our team come equipped with the right tools and knowledge to get the job done quickly and safely. They also ensure that waste is disposed of properly and follow local regulations.
Price Breakdown
Here is an example of the costs to help you weight your options between doing it yourself or hiring a professional:
| Cost Factor | DIY | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | $100–$500 | Included |
| Labor | Your time | $15–$40/hour |
| Square Foot Cost | $0.50–$1.00 | $1.00–$2.00 |
| Waste Removal | $200–$400 | Included |
| Asbestos Testing | $250–$850 | Often included |
| Total Average Cost | $300–$900 | $900–$2,500 |
For a typical 500-square-foot ceiling, DIY costs can climb to around $900, factoring in materials and disposal fees. Professional services, while pricier, offer a complete package and skilled execution.
For a ceiling of 500 square feet, DIY costs can climb up to around $900 in costs when you include the materials and disposal fees. Professional services, while pricier, often include everything in the estimate and the knowledge of skilled contractors.
Time Requirements
I’ve already mentioned this before, but time is a very important consideration in a project this intense. While professionals can often complete a room of 200 square feet in 1-2 days, DIY Projects can take longer. And let’s face it, this is because everyone has a life, a job and other dedications around trying to complete such a large process. Often, a project like this will take 2-4 times longer to setup, and in addition will include runs for more supplies as well as additional time to correct mistakes. That all sounds very overwhelming!
Also, if asbestos is found, then you will need to commit more time to the project and add more costs to comply with safety protocols. When the professionals have to remove asbestos, the costs is usually around $3-$7 per square foot[5.
Making the Final Choice for Your Popcorn Ceiling Removal
It’s important to remember everything that we have discussed in this article in detail while you are weighing your options. DIY projects to remove your ceiling will involve time, asbestos testing, costs, room prep, clean up, and sanding before you can move forward with painting. If you do decide to move forward with tackling this project on your own, make sure you do your homework and are prepared before you start. Make sure you have all your supplies ready and your test results back from the lab.
If the DIY route feels overwhelming at all, even just by reading the steps it takes and the process you have to follow, you can always turn to professionals for help. Do you live in the Greater Denver area? Give our team a call to remove your popcorn ceiling:
+1 (303) 650-0933
Imhoff Painting Services
For Denver area homeowners looking for expert assistance, Imhoff Painting is a trusted choice. Our team specializes in popcorn ceiling removal, ensuring safe and efficient disposal. We also handle surface prep, repairs, custom finishes, and color consultation. Whether you’re restoring a historic property or modernizing your home, our skilled craftspeople can tackle projects of any size across the Denver metro area.