If I could hire out to have our popcorn ceilings removed, would I? Absolutely yes. Is it in the budget? Absolutely not. So we’re doing the work ourselves!
Our home has popcorn ceilings in just about every room. And because it’s a historic home, they feel just slightly out of place. Not in the way that the rooms look dated, but because it’s mainly a feature that is from a different era than our home. More on that below.
Our home was build early 1900’s (still working on finding the exact date, but here’s the home tour). The texture just feels out of place with the other details because popcorn ceilings are dated to a very specific time.
We’re also going through the process of installing crown moulding, and it’s a much easier process when the ceiling is free of texture and bumps. Since they’re not an original feature and they aren’t adding any value to the home, they’ve got to go!
We’re working our way one room at a time to remove all the popcorn ceilings. Here’s how we’re doing it:
I shared a bit of how to remove popcorn ceilings in my entryway makeover video over on Youtube! Watch now or keep reading for a more in depth look.
History of Popcorn Ceilings
Popcorn ceilings really started to come into play in the 1950s as part of the post World War II housing boom. They were an easy way to hid imperfections in ceilings and to build more efficiently. Aka there wasn’t enough time for craftsmanship and this method allowed for faster building.
Their popularity lasted well into the 1980’s, as people believed they helped with soundproofing. They’re not as popular now, mostly likely due to the negative effects.
Early formulations of popcorn ceilings contained asbestos. If the ceiling was damaged, the asbestos would breaks down into microscopic, needle-like fibers that become airborne and get trapped in the lungs. It’s also often linked to cancer.
So needless to say, before starting this process, it’s important to learn more about your ceiling, the date it was added, and what could be inside!
Before You Start
Get your ceiling tested! I cannot stress this enough. Working with peace of mind is key. No amount of home decor is worth your health.
We took a small sample of the popcorn ceiling texture and had it tested at a local lab. The lab will let you know how much you need and how to collect it, but we used about a tablespoon and double bagged it in a ziplock bag.
The cost for a 3 day turn around was $150 and they checked for asbestos and lead.
If you’re in SE Michigan, I used and would reccomend PEL Labs.
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Materials
- Scraper (can find this at Lowe’s or Home Depot too)
- Pole extender
- Tank sprayer
- Tape
- Tarps
- Goggles
- Ladder
- Trash bags or smaller plastic grocery bags
- Towels for clean up
We originally tried an automatic sander in a small section of the ceiling. It ended up creating a lot of dust and was heavy to carry. Not a process I recommend!
Note, not all popcorn ceilings are made the same. Ours thankfully has a lower texture, added later in time, and was fairly simple to remove.
How to Remove a Popcorn Ceiling
- Start by removing all furniture and covering the entire room with tarps. I promise you that this step isn’t optional. There will be water and debris and if your floors and baseboards aren’t protected, you’ll be cleaning up more than it takes to scrape the ceiling. Cover your baseboards and your floors.
- Spray a small section of your ceiling with water and let soak for ~10 minutes. The wetter the better. Expect water to drip into the ground.
- To start scraping, it’s best to get flush to your ceiling. If you come at an angle, you will most likely leave marks in your ceiling.
- The debris will collect in a bag. Empty as it fills up and gets heavy. I found that it was easiest to scrap a section, and empty the bag while another area was soaking.
- When you’d made your way around the entire room, let dry for at least 48 hours before filling any imperfections or painting.
So that’s how we removed the popcorn ceiling in our entryway and dining room! It’s a long and messy process, but it is something you can do yourself.
Let me know if you have any questions about the process in the comments below. I’m happy to help if I can!
Stay tuned for our dining room makeover reveal! We just finished removing the popcorn ceilings and are starting to paint.