Popcorn ceiling?
Question:If I have popcorn ceiling and want to scrape it off is there a tool for that? Can I just scrape it off or do I have to refinish also?
Answers:
Some answers have addressed your question accurately, but I'll bring the relevant points together. First, the popcorn texture can contain asbestos fibers -- especially if it was applied prior to the 80s -- so wear a specific respirator for asbestos removal if you do it yourself. Mask off your walls with a light gauge poly (1 mil) and floors with 4 mil poly sheeting. Put water in a spray bottle and wet an area, let soak, and then wet again as you scrape it off. If the texture has never been painted it will come off easily with a 6 to 10 inch broad knife. If it's been painted, it will be tougher getting it off. Sand any areas that need further work to get them smooth. After the texture has been removed, carefully remove the wall poly and lay it on the floor. Then fold the floor poly toward the center keeping the texture and wall poly inside the 4 mil floor poly. This keeps it encased for proper disposal. You might have to skim the ceiling to get it smooth enough for whatever texture you now desire, maybe not. Protect walls and floor again if needed. It can be done, but it's not for the faint of heart.
It will wash off with hot water.
Better put some drop cloths
down, first.
Yes you can scrape the popcorn off the ceiling. I've found a putty knife (3 or 4 inches wide) works the best. But, I must warn you it is a lot to bite off...After you have scraped the popcorn off there will be a lot of sanding to do. You will want to get the ceiling as even and flat as possible so that when you paint it looks nice.
Also, be prepared for an enormous mess. I would recommend that you tape off as many other areas of your home as possible. Try not to run your heat/a.c. until after the job is finished and you have had time to do a thorough cleanup or you will push all that dust throughout the house. If you must run your heat/a.c. a good idea is to cheesecloth off the vents and returns in the room(s) you are working in.
Good Luck!
water and scraper. get a wide scraper it will come off faster.
You can scrape it off with a putty knife but it will make a huge mess. You will probably need to refinish it or paint it. you be the judge when your done scrapeing.
I use a wide drywall knife 6" 10 " scrape it off and don't gouge ceiling. You will want to get one of those cheap white suite to protect you or use long sleeve shirt and glove ,something on head and a good dust mask.
Popcorn ceiling were done because they didn't have to completely finish the drywall taping . Just get it roughly smooth and cover with popcorn . So you may have some patching to do.
I'd just get all corn off and cleaned up. Then if ceiling is to bad and you do feel good about doing it. Just get someone to come in and skim coat ceiling should not be to $$. Good luck maybe you ceiling is fine and all you have to do is paint.
IF THIS IS AN OLDER HOME TAKE A SAMPLE TO BE TESTED FOR ASBESTOS! If it contains asbestos it is much more complicated, dangerous and you will need to have proper protective equipment as well as set up a containment area. May want to have pro do it. If not look below.
Tools and Supplies Tank sprayer(2-3 gallons)—This will be your means of wetting“popcorn” ceiling materials. Liquid dish washing detergent—Mixed at one cup per fivegallons of water for best results in wetting. Wallboard taping or “putty” knives—The best sizes forscraping off “popcorn” ceiling materials have four-to-six inchblades.
If its been painted it can be really hard to remove. If not. First send a sample out to be tested for Asbestos. Asbestos was outlawed in 1978 but was still put on up to 1986 due to surplus stock . Call an Asbestos testing company. They are in the phone book. Use a pump sprayer to moisten it. Then scrape. Try using a tool like this one. http://www.homaxproducts.com/products/te... When your done it might be easier if you call a drywall company to come in and texture or smooth wall the ceiling for you.
Alot of work, a big mess, and yes you have to refinish. Easier to hire someone to do it. I know you have to spray it with water,too much water and the drywall will fall down. Hire someone.
I tried removing our popcorn ceiling paint and it was a killer and very messy. We ended up sheetrocking over it and Viola-- had a brand new ceiling with extra insulation--to boot.
It looks fabulous, clean and fresh.
have fun : ) prespray it with warm soapy water w/ a pump up bug spayer wait till it softens then gently scrape w/ a 12'' taping knife and hope it will not need to much mudding and sanding to get it perfectly smooth again retexture another texture is easyier somthings wrong with yahoo can't type any more
I have done this several times. The best tool to use is a 6" drywall knife. Hold it at a slight angle to the ceiling and slide the blade forward across the ceiling (scraping the popcorn). This material will easily fall off the ceiling.
By the way, This process is very messy so be sure to cover all furniture or anything in the room very well. I usually use 2 layers of the cheapest plastic drop cloths. The top layer will catch the popcorn material and the second for any extra material that gets left over.
I used the following web page as a resource when doing this work: www.bellaonline.com/articles/a...
Good luck!
A scraper (the same tool used to scrape off old paint) works very well. Just make sure you get everyting out of the way! It's a messy job.
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