Popcorn ceilings give me creepy memories of living in a treeless suburban track of ticky-tacky houses. Having lived within expanses of characterless drywall and wall-to-wall carpeting is one reason I really appreciate old city houses. I can still recall the constant pleading for the family car as my only means of escape…
Be forewarned that what follows is a bit of rant. These can be ignored, but after spending my Sunday night covered in plaster dust, I thought I would indulge myself…
Why anyone wants a ceiling that looks like cottage cheese is beyond the limits of my imagination. There is good reason to be wary of faddish building materials… In ten years, I imagine hoards of people rushing to erect pine and cedar fences after their PVC plastic fence has turned yellow from sun damage or simply looks as bad then as the day it was installed.
The only reason someone puts up a popcorn ceiling in a plaster and lath century home is because they are covering up cracks in the plaster and trying to save a hit to their wallet. Removing it is either very easy, or, if it has been painted, really a pain as you may need to use a safe stripper to soften the paint.
You will have a serious need to avenge the previous owner that painted their popcorn with an oil-based paint… good luck with that mess. 1950s and 60s era popcorn sprayed ceilings may have asbestos in them, apparently, and should be investigated prior to removal. I was fortunate (I guess) in that the ceiling was sprayed on within the last 8 years, or so, and was not painted.
All you need is (1) a spray bottle, (2) a five inch flexible scraper, (3) a good size drip cloth, and, (4) an unhealthy need to repress your suburban adolescence.
One benefit of removing the popcorn ceiling is that the room now looks bigger and the ceiling looks higher.
Depending on the height of your ceiling, grab a step ladder or chair. If you have a large amount of ceiling space, you may want to invest in a pressurized water sprayer (the garden variety) since I eventually got hand cramps from using the spray bottle. Spray a section at a time, wait a few moments, and use your scraper at a 30 degree angle to scape off the ugliness. After scraping, take a sponge and wipe the ceiling down. Aside from cleaning dust, this also removes remaining popcorn ceiling material from any uneven sections of the ceiling.
This is easy work, but takes some strength and be prepared for the cricked neck and sore shoulders the next day. One benefit of removing the popcorn ceiling is that the room now looks bigger and the ceiling looks higher.
I wonder if this would work with the ugly spikey plaster, too. It seems worth a try, but all of the rooms with such ceilings are large, and I know a certain someone will be less than happy if I start a project like that and don’t finish it.
Hi Christopher,
It is probably best to wait to get it all off at once. If your spikey plaster is actual plaster, this method won’t do the trick. Popcorn ceiling is highly absorbent and probably contains a large amount of cellulose so it is really easy to scrap off once it has been dampened.
Drat. I was hoping “how to remove a popcorn ceiling” extended to removal techniques for walls, as well.
The previous owner rented to college students and was known for his minimal maintenance. This lead to strange paint colors done with paint types that are, to say the least, unexpected.
The popcorn walls in question are painted a remarkably ugly beige, as are the lovely 1896 window and base moldings. I didn’t think it was possible to get the effect of a dungeon in a second-floor room with southern and western windows — until I saw this one.
I had someone wet and scrape as much of the popcorn wall covering as possible off three walls. He was awful at it, and I finished the job myself — except for the fourth wall. I’ve tried Smart Strip, made by Peel Away. It’s managed to cut the top paint surface and I’ve been able to scrape away some of the popcorn. It’s taking too many days. What would my belt sander to to the popcorn texture?
Unbelievable the stupid things done to old houses! I would be reluctant to use a belt sander if there is decent plaster under the popcorn. If it has been drywalled over, it might be worth considering restoring the original walls.
I was not so lucky as to find drywall under the popcorn. He applied the stuff directly onto the original plaster. A contractor friend who lives in a slightly younger, Craftsman house, said the belt sander would not harm solidly keyed plaster. Most of it appears solid, with a few hairline cracks as the only offense. Anyone have any experience, before I don double dust masks, open the window and attack the popcorn?
Hi Lynn,
I also had plaster under my popcorn finish. A belt sander may do the trick, but probably result in a horrible mess and months of finding new layers of dust on everything. Unless it has been painted, a water misting and scraper will create far less dust.
Good luck, B&G
If you ever want to just remove a stain from popcorn ceilings, here’s a how to article:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4891689_remove-stains-popcorn-ceilings.html