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How Do I Remove Popcorn Ceiling

Can I remove popcorn ceiling myself?

If the material is found to contain over 1% asbestos then by law you can not remove it yourself and will need to contact a professional asbestos removal company or leave the ceiling as is. Even if it doesn’t contain asbestos, it’s important to wear an appropriate dust mask or respirator when removing the ceiling.

What is the cheapest way to remove popcorn ceilings?

Consider These Options to Cover the Popcorn Simply texture and paint the ceiling. To hide your popcorn ceiling with a simple texture and paint job, you can use a spray texture to spray onto the ceiling in small blotches, and then flatten them out with a drywall knife. Ceiling tiles. Wooden ceiling planks.

How do you remove a popcorn ceiling without damaging drywall?

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.

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.

How difficult is it to remove popcorn ceiling?

Removing a popcorn ceiling is a fairly easy and affordable DIY project that just requires some time and muscle. Should your ceiling need more TLC than just scraping and painting, there are also options for covering up popcorn ceilings, such as wood paneling, pressed tin tiles, or new drywall.

How much does it cost to remove popcorn from the ceiling?

Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost On average, the price to remove a popcorn ceiling falls between $1 and $2 per square foot, with the average homeowner spending around $1,851. Most homeowners spend between $899 and $2,847 on the project.

Do most popcorn ceilings contain asbestos?

Popcorn ceilings generally contain between 1 and 10 percent asbestos. While 1 percent may seem insignificant, it’s important to note that any percentage of asbestos in a popcorn ceiling is cause for concern and should be addressed.

How much does it cost to scrape popcorn ceilings?

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.Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost. National Average Cost $1,710 Minimum Cost $300 Maximum Cost $4,800 Average Range $1,010 to $2,260.

How much does it cost to skim coat a popcorn ceiling?

The national average materials cost to skim coat is $0.34 per square foot, with a range between $0.32 to $0.37.Skim Coat: national average cost. cost to skim coat National Cost Range (labor and materials) for 500 square foot $450.91 – $533.77.

Can you put drywall over popcorn ceilings?

Old popcorn textured ceilings (also called acoustic ceilings) make a room look dated. Scraping the old popcorn texture off may not be an option, but installing new drywall right over the old popcorn ceilings is possible with the right tools and a bit of hard work.

What do I do after removing popcorn ceiling?

You must properly sand the ceiling once the popcorn is removed, dings and bad seams topped off well. A wise step would be to prime the ceiling after sanding and topping off before you start rolling texture.

How do you clean up after removing popcorn ceiling?

For this same reason, you’ll want to make sure you wear a dust mask as you work. To begin, you can either scrape the ceiling while dry, or gently mist it with water to loosen things up. From there, it’s a matter of slowly and carefully scraping the surface, working in small sections around the room until you’re done.

When did they stop using asbestos in popcorn ceilings?

In 1977, the U.S. Government banned the use of asbestos in ceiling finishes, and most ceilings installed after this date will not contain asbestos. It is still possible, however, that materials manufactured before 1977 were installed in homes after the ban.

What is the best tool to use to scrape a popcorn ceiling?

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.

What is so bad about popcorn ceilings?

The main issue with popcorn ceilings is that they contain asbestos. Homes built before the 1970s likely have popcorn ceilings that contain asbestos. It was only during that decade that a ban on asbestos was passed. However, the ban did not state that asbestos-containing popcorn texture could not be used.

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.

Why are popcorn walls bad?

Possible Asbestos Exposure Before it was banned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1977, asbestos was used in textured ceiling paint in most homes. If your ceiling tests positive for asbestos, it’s best to call a professional to remove popcorn walls or ceilings.

Is it cheaper to remove popcorn ceiling or replace drywall?

The cost to scrape, remove and refinish a popcorn ceiling is around $. 85 cents per square foot when few repairs are needed and you do the work yourself. To hire a painter or drywall contractor, expect an estimated cost of around $2.25 / square foot to remove the popcorn and finish the ceiling.

How much does it cost to smooth a ceiling?

The average cost to have a knock-down ceiling installed is $1.75 a square foot or $875 for a ceiling that is approximately 500 square feet.Costs. Ceiling Type Average Cost Knock-Down Ceiling $500 to $1,250 Smooth Ceiling $450 to $1,090.

Does popcorn ceiling lower home value?

While this may not seem worth it mathematically, just having popcorn ceilings can decrease the value of the home by simply making it less appealing. By removing popcorn ceilings, you are increasing your home value and ridding your home of the “outdated” look.