DIY Sat. #158 – How to Remove an Old Popcorn Ceiling (Video)

Entry #2731, August 10, 2013

Happy DIY Saturday! Do you live in an older home that has a popcorn ceiling? For many of you (including me) may live in a 1970’s – early 1990’s home in which the spray on gypsum pebbles or “popcorn” ceiling is an applied finish to the gypsum board. For many of you – it may have glitter in it! 🙂 Today you will learn how to get rid of the popcorn for a clean surface or to apply a new ceiling finish.

Easily remove a popcorn ceiling

Image via: Design West

Many homeowners would prefer to get rid of a popcorn ceiling to reveal a smooth finished ceiling. Many homes now have a smoother finish, referred to as “knock down” finish that is smoother and more contemporary. Today watch a video to help you easily remove the popcorn finish. Then see a step by step guide to help you get a smooth finish gypsum (drywall) ceiling.

Video: How to Remove a Popcorn Ceiling

Link to Video: How to Remove a Popcorn Ceiling

Steps to Remove a Popcorn Ceiling

When you try to consider a home makeover, one of the least considered is the ceiling. It’s not that the ceiling is the least important. But the ceiling is often attributed to lighting fixtures more than as decorative area. However, you will definitely appreciate what your ceiling can do to enhance your home interior once you make the most out of it.

One of the common problems for ceiling is the popcorn looks. It’s been primarily brought about by the inappropriate painting procedure. This kind of unpleasant view can be prevented by making the right move from start to finish.

Want a new ceiling finish?

Image via: Bella Tucker Decorative Finishes

To prevent this from happening, here’s how to easily remove a popcorn ceiling:

Prepare the room

This step is sometimes taken for granted. Preparing the room before working is very important, not only when you need to remove popcorn ceiling. To do this, you need to clear everything that may obstruct your movements. Also, remove the furniture and decorative items on the wall. You can seal off the entire room to protect them from getting dirt, paint and scratch. Another important step in the preparation is to provide proper ventilation. Also, don’t forget to place a drop cloth to secure the floor.

Spray the Ceiling

You can do this by simply using a garden spray to wet the ceiling. The water will soften the texture and the adhesive bond. It doesn’t have to be very wet. A nice sprinkle will be enough to scrape the ceiling easily. Too much water will cause damage to the surface. Also, concentrate on a single area at a time. This will ensure that you don’t skip a spot ready for scraping.

Wood ceiling idea

Image via: Highland Homes

Scrape the Ceiling

Before you actually start scraping, you have to wait for at least 10-15 minutes. The main reason for this is for the water to soak in. This is a very important process that will make scraping easier and effective. A decent putty knife is very effective in scraping the corners of your ceiling. It can also be used for crown molding.

By following these steps, you can be sure that popcorn looks don’t have a space in your ceiling. Take these steps seriously so you can prevent future problem like popcorn looks at your ceiling.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.