Popcorn Ceiling Removal Service Benefits & Guide
If you have a popcorn ceiling, you’re probably tired of looking at it or at least wondering what it would take to remove it. Popcorn ceiling removal is incredibly labor-intensive for one person and a process that can go wrong quickly without experience.
We always convey to our clients that knowing the benefits of the results and when professional service is needed is important to your health and safety. Our claim is also backed by research from the Washington Post and other notable publications.
Things to Consider Before Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Most homeowners are unaware of the risk of exposure to asbestos while removing popcorn ceilings. Asbestos is commonly found in homes built before 1977. If your home was built before or around this time, it is essential to have the ceiling tested and to take additional precautions due to the potential for asbestos.
You also want to ensure the removal is not gouging the ceilings and that you have thorough protection and measures for cleanup. Drywall repair skills are also required, including skim coating drywall seams, patching nail pops, and minor damages.
No matter how handy, crafty, or Pinterest-ey you may be, removing popcorn ceilings requires a professional skill set.
Steps to Removing A Popcorn Ceiling
Are you interested to know what’s involved? Here is a simple step-by-step guide outlining the basics of removing popcorn ceilings.
Step 1: Room Preparation
Our process for popcorn ceiling removal includes extensive prep work before the first scrape. All furnishings and other items must be moved out of the room or protected so that we can adequately seal off the walls and floor.
Step 2: Ceiling Preparation
Once the room is cleared and covered, we can prep the ceiling by misting the popcorn texture with water to help dissolve the binding and ensure smooth, dust-free removal.
Step 3: Removal
After wetting the ceiling twice and waiting 20 minutes, scrape the popcorn using a drywall tape knife.
Step 4: Skim CoatÂ
Once the popcorn is removed, we assess the condition of the ceiling. Are there drywall seams that need to be repaired? Are there holes, nicks, or other damages? A skim coat over damaged areas helps to hide imperfections and ensure a clean and smooth finish.
Step 5: SandingÂ
Once multiple skim coats have been applied and have completely dried, we’re ready to sand the entire ceiling down.
Step 6: Applying the Primer
A single coat of primer is applied.
Step 7: Check For Imperfections
Use a light and cast it on the ceiling, checking for any dents or imperfections. Patch any areas that need additional repair.
Step 8: Painting the Ceiling
We allow 4 to 24 hours for the ceiling to dry, then paint the ceilings using a roller or paint sprayer.
How Much Does it Cost to Remove Popcorn Ceilings?
Popcorn ceiling removal costs vary from $4 to $12 per square foot based on ceiling height, room layout, and the amount of texture. Thick layers and complex surfaces can be more challenging to remove, and other textured ceilings can increase the risk of damaging the ceiling drywall.
Ceilings that have been painted make removing popcorn ceilings harder. If the ceiling has been painted with a glossy finish, it increases the labor needed for removal.
The best way to know how much popcorn ceiling removal costs is to have a professional assessment.
4 Reasons to Remove a Popcorn Ceiling
- They’re difficult to keep clean. Cobwebs and dust stick to the texture, leaving discoloration when wiped away.
- Repairs are hard to blend. Roof and bathroom leaks, resulting in unsightly popcorn ceiling damage, are hard to fix and blend textures without noticing the repair. Matching color and texture so the repair is unnoticeable is not always achievable.
- Before it was banned in 1977, asbestos was an ingredient in popcorn ceilings. As the dangers of asbestos came to light, countless buildings have undergone the complex asbestos removal process. However, it still exists in older homes today.
- Popcorn ceilings date your home and often hold an unwanted odor.
Conclusion
If you’re tired of looking at those dingy textured ceilings and are selling, just moved in, or have a fixer-upper, it’s time to put those popcorn ceilings in the past.
We specialize in safe, clean, and professional popcorn ceiling removal, and we know you’ll love the results. Contact us today for a free quote if you live in Raleigh or around the Triangle area!
