Although popcorn ceilings are also called cottage cheese ceilings and stipple ceilings in the 1950s, they have been around since the 1930s. They are now considered eyesores but were first used for their bright white appearance. This allowed them to hide imperfections and also offered acoustical dampening. Popcorn ceilings are not only considered unattractive by most people today but also have a long history of being unsafe. In the 1980s, asbestos was added to create the popcorn texture. Unperturbed asbestos on popcorn ceilings is safe. However, if you remove it, the toxins will start to mix with the air and lodge in your lungs. Using an approved EPA testing kit, you can test for asbestos in popcorn ceilings. You can purchase at a local home improvement store or by calling a professional testing company. Styrofoam has been responsible for the texture of popcorn ceilings since the 1980s. However, neither one is good for the environment. You might be tempted to do commercial popcorn ceiling removal and replace it with something smoother and more streamlined. It can seem daunting if you have never attempted this task before. This is not a difficult job and doesn’t require expensive tools or complicated techniques. Before starting this DIY project, it is crucial to determine if your ceiling is asbestos popcorn. This ceiling could have been installed before the 1980s, posing a severe health threat. To determine the exact amount of asbestos in your ceiling, you must have it tested. A professional asbestos removal company should have the ability to perform a test. You can search for asbestos removal companies in your area. They may also offer mold removal services. You can also purchase an asbestos test kit to do the job yourself if that is not possible. You can buy asbestos test kits from your local hardware store or order one online at Amazon.com. It’s challenging, but it is necessary if you suspect your ceiling may contain asbestos. You don’t want asbestos in your ceiling. It can cause cancer and pose a severe health threat. It is easy and inexpensive to remove popcorn ceilings. To do this job properly, you’ll need some tools. Make sure you take the time to put together the following: This job is impossible to complete without making a mess. A drop cloth or tarp will be needed to cover the entire floor while working. To secure the tarp to your wall, use painter’s tape. You can be sure that dust and debris will build up on the ceiling beneath the tarp if it isn’t secured using painter’s tape. This means that you will have to clean up the floor twice. Tape the edges first to avoid this. You can also use a disposable drop cloth from your hardware store to save money. After removing the tape around the room’s edges, you can bundle up the trash and toss it away. After you are sure it is safe to remove the popcorn ceiling, it is a good idea to test it in a small area. This will allow you to determine how secure your popcorn was. Grab your scraper and pick a corner from your ceiling to remove any textured areas. Either one of these things will happen. Either it will come off quickly, leaving you with a smooth ceiling below, or it won’t. If the texture is easy to remove, you are in luck. This should be an easy job. To get the texture loose, you can use a sprayer or squirt bottles to moisten it. After it absorbs water, it should be easy to scrape off. It can also be loosened with dish soap. If the task is not easy, employ Royal Palm Beach Popcorn Ceiling Removal & Drywall Services to do it for you. You don’t have to soak the ceiling. All you need is to loosen its texture. Photo credit: Jess Tellier You can work in smaller sections. It’s best to start with small sections. You’d need to keep rewetting the ceiling if you tried to do it all. You can save time and frustration by working in smaller, easier-to-manage sections. To prevent gouging, file your paint scraper and putty knife. It would help to be careful when using a scraper, putty knife, or other sharp tools. Scrapers and putty knives are known for digging into popcorn ceilings. This can be avoided by sanding your scraper’s edges before using it. You can use a grinder or a file to make them smoother and rounder. Don’t be too concerned if you notice that you are removing chunks from the ceiling. You can fix it all at the end once the popcorn has been removed. A dustpan makes cleaning up a lot easier. Use your round putty knife to smoothen the ceiling. It will all fall to the ground if you have the floor adequately covered. To simplify cleanup, if you can hold your ground, you can use a dustpan to scoop up large pieces of debris. For this job, make sure to have PPE. Even if it’s damp, you will make a lot of dust. If you look up from a ladder, this stuff can be found in your eyes, nose, and mouth. Even though we aren’t dealing with asbestos, it is something you shouldn’t inhale or swallow. While you are working, make sure to wear a mask and safety glasses. We are confident that scraping back and forth will not get the job done quicker. Use a paint scraper to remove popcorn ceilings. It would help if you used long, consistent strokes. Don’t Rush! It’s important not to rush! You could damage or gouge the drywall beneath if you aren’t careful. After you have removed all of the texture from the ceiling, it is time to smoothen things out. You can finish the job with a good 220 grit of sandpaper. You can use a simple hand sander or a sanding stick. Be sure to check for gouges before you start sanding. Use drywall filler if your scraper has dug into your ceiling or around the edges and corners of your walls before you sand. This will ensure that everything is smooth even after you are done. To determine if there are any uneven areas, you may have to get off the ladder. Now it's time to clean up. To clean the ceiling, use a damp mop or a sponge mop. This will remove all dust and leave you with a clean surface ready for painting. You can do whatever you want once the ceiling is smooth. Now that you’ve cleaned and sanded the ceiling, it’s a blank canvas. Depending on how you want things to turn out, there are a few options. You can paint the ceiling. This is the most common choice and probably the easiest. It’s OK to paint your ceiling at this time. It will look professional, neat, and clean. You have options if you are looking for something more exotic or artistic. Many homeowners opt for this option to cover or replace popcorn ceilings. Beadboard was traditionally used to cover the lower part of walls. It is a type of wainscotting. It has been a popular choice for ceilings in recent years. Beadboard appears like thin planks that are stacked side by side. It creates a pinstripe effect that adds sophistication to the room without being too obvious. This is a fun combination of modern and traditional at the same time. Pressed tin tiles are another trendy option that combines modern design with traditional materials. You have two options: you can choose genuine metal tiles or other convincing options that offer the same look. Faux tin tiles can be purchased for as little as a few dollars per square foot if this seems daunting. If tin doesn’t appeal to you, you can also find metallic tiles in brass, copper, brushed steel, chrome, and many other colors. Wood is an excellent choice if you want something organic and warm. You can apply this treatment as-is or add molding to make it stand out. Wood is a versatile material that can be used for many purposes. You can match any color scheme or decor with various woods, including untreated, pale pine, or rich red oak. Wood can be used to create warmth, brightness, or another effect. We offer the above services at the following locations within Royal Palm Beach:
If you are located in Palm Beach County and you don’t see your city/area listed above, don’t worry! We cover all of Palm Beach County. Fill out the contact form above or CLICK HERE and send us a message. We’ll get back to you asap!
Commercial Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Contact Us
Concerns for health and the environment
How to remove a popcorn ceiling
Asbestos testing
Get supplies
Try a small area
Water and soap sprayer
Reduce the ceiling
Scraping tips
Prime the ceiling with sandpaper
Cleanup
Popcorn Ceiling Alternatives and Replacements
Scraped vs. not scraped the popcorn ceiling
Breadboard
Tin tiles
Wood
Locations We Serve
