How to Remove Popcorn Ceiling in 8 Steps

Let’s face It - the popcorn ceiling trend is long over. 

While a popcorn ceiling texture was a staple in homes in the 1950s and 60s, this dated style choice is one many homeowners are looking to remove, but it’s no easy feat. How hard is it to get rid of the popcorn ceiling? We hate to say it, but it’s not the most simple upgrade. Getting rid of popcorn ceiling textures takes time, but it’s a job many painting professionals have experience with.

Our team at Oahu Pro Painters knows how it's done, from a safe and seamless removal process to smoothing ceilings after removing a popcorn ceiling and repainting for an updated, timeless finish. With this simple, straightforward interior house painting process, we can take your ceilings from outdated and boring to new and improved in no time.

If your home was built in the 1950s or 1960s, there’s a good chance that there is a popcorn ceiling in at least one room in your home. Popcorn ceilings were heavily utilized during this time because they easily hide imperfections in the ceiling, and they were a time-efficient method to finish building homes.

Just as the name implies, popcorn ceilings boast a textured appearance that also earned them the name “cottage cheese ceilings.” Not only do these ceilings immediately date your space, but they are easily damaged and particularly difficult to keep clean. The smallest run-in with your popcorn ceiling may result in messy crumblings or dust that ends up on your furniture or floors.

The good part about popcorn ceiling removal is that it is a simple, straightforward process that can quickly and dramatically change your space for the better.

Why Were Textured Ceilings So Popular?

Popcorn ceilings grew in popularity in the mid-1900s, and the texture was commonly found in homes built and renovated during that time. But what made the popcorn ceiling texture such a hit? Ultimately, it’s a master concealer and helps avoid the precision it takes to install drywall evenly.

But really, why popcorn ceilings? Here are a few reasons your home may feature this old design staple.

• They were easier to apply. With a popcorn ceiling spray, popcorn ceilings could quickly be applied to walls, avoiding any concern about creating a perfectly even surface.
• Popcorn ceilings hide imperfections. With a bumpy, uneven texture, this ceiling choice is perfect for hiding all the imperfections in your walls.
• This ceiling is said to help absorb noise, helping create a quieter, more private home.
• It’s a cost-efficient solution that nearly anyone could apply, unlike more expensive and technique-oriented options, like drywall repair.
  

There are a lot of perks to a popcorn ceiling texture, and while it is no longer on-trend, it isn’t completely void of purpose.

Why Should You Remove Your Popcorn Ceiling?

1. It Dates Your Space

One of the main reasons you should consider removing your popcorn ceiling is that it’s outdated. It can be challenging to achieve the ideal aesthetic in your home with the constant appearance of popcorn ceilings throughout.

Removing your popcorn ceiling will instantly refresh and modernize your space, giving you a clean canvas to design exactly as you please.

2. It May Be Harmful to Your Health

Some popcorn ceilings were made with asbestos, a mineral fiber found in soil and rock. If your home was built before 1980, you should test to determine whether asbestos is present in your popcorn ceiling. Breathing in asbestos can cause serious long-term health effects.

You may be wondering how to test your popcorn ceiling for asbestos. You can purchase an at-home asbestos test kit to determine if you can remove the popcorn ceiling on your own or if you need to hire a professional.

In addition to asbestos, some popcorn ceilings may be coated with lead paint. Lead paint was banned in 1978, but a simple lead paint test will help you determine whether or not you should be mindful of this potential chemical as well.

If asbestos or lead is found in your popcorn ceiling, the safest route is to hire a professional team to remove it. Although this is the most expensive option, it is worth the investment to know that you are putting your health first.

It’s important to note that not every company is properly equipped to handle asbestos as they don’t have the proper insurance to do so. Oahu Pro Painters recommends working with a company to remove asbestos safely and properly.

3. It Can Lessen Your Home’s Value

One of the most common questions we receive is “does removing popcorn ceiling increase home value?” Because popcorn ceilings are so outdated and avoided in modern remodels and designs, homes with popcorn ceilings may be less valuable or be challenging to sell in the future. Removing it and replacing it with a modern, safer option will help increase your home’s value and attract a wider buyer pool.

Replacing your popcorn ceiling is a relatively cheap investment with an enormous payoff.

4. It’s Difficult to Maintain

Popcorn ceilings are difficult to maintain, as the smallest nick or bump can cause pieces of it to crumble off. Plus, all of its grooves and textures make it difficult to keep clean.

5. It Creates Poor Lighting

Popcorn ceilings have so many bumps and grooves on them that catch the light, resulting in bumpy shadows. This can darken the room and create unpleasant lighting, precisely the opposite of what you want to achieve in a relaxing space.

6. To Fix Damage to the Ceiling

A big reason to look into how to take off the popcorn ceiling is to fix the damage that may lay beneath. As we’ve said before, popcorn ceiling texture was often used to hide imperfections in walls and ceilings, but what caused these imperfections? There may be damage to your ceiling, like holes, scrapes, dents, marks, or water damage that will be important to fix to maintain a strong structure.

Tools You Need to Remove a Popcorn Ceiling

It’s important to note that even if your popcorn ceiling doesn’t contain asbestos, it is highly recommended that you wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent dust particles from causing damage to your health.

In addition to PPE, you’ll need the following equipment to remove your popcorn ceiling:

• Protective furniture covering to prevent particles from falling on it and causing damage
• Putty knife, and we recommend one that is at least 6 inches wide
• Large spray bottle filled with water
• Painter’s tape
• Safety glasses
• Shoe covers
• Respirator
• Gloves
• Drywall sanding sponge
• Paint roller
• Drywall compound

Tips for Avoiding Damage When Removing Popcorn Ceilings

When it comes to smooth out popcorn ceiling textures, one of our biggest concerns is avoiding damage to your ceilings. Since this is a stubborn surface and one that needs special attention, your walls are often at risk of scratching or leaving behind damage that will need additional work. To avoid this in the removal process, we share a few tips to help you along the way.

Soak the Ceiling

The best way to get rid of popcorn ceiling textures is to start soaking the ceiling. To do this, spray the top with warm water until it’s completely soaked to help the surface come off easier. Since this is a more stubborn material, you may have to wash your ceilings a few times for the water to absorb fully.

Use the Right Tools

We cannot stress this enough - using the right tools can make a world of difference when it comes to getting rid of popcorn ceiling. Good tools will help provide a smooth surface and easier removal, and for this, we recommend items like a 12-inch putty knife and specific tools for popcorn ceiling removals to aid in the process.

Don’t Rush

While you may be keen on speeding up the process, removing popcorn ceilings is no easy feat, and the tedious, slow removal is essential for clean results. Use long, slow strokes in the same direction to clear the ceilings of texture and avoid damaging your ceilings with scratches or nicks.

Don’t Force It

If you’re finding that your popcorn ceiling is especially stubborn and the tough removal process is causing damage to your walls, pause for a second to reevaluate. You may need to soak your surface again or move to a different section and revisit the more challenging area later. With patience, you can remove the texture for a smooth surface without adding damage.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Popcorn Ceiling?

The cost to get rid of popcorn ceiling depends on numerous factors. From the size of the space to your location and the type of ceiling, the final fee is subject to various circumstances.

Here are some cost comparisons to help you better understand the price you may face.

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Major Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost Factors to Consider

As we said before,different factors come into play when figuring out the cost to get rid of popcorn ceiling textures. A few significant price considerations are the size of your project, the labor involved, and the materials needed. Still, a couple of other elements can contribute to the final cost, too.

To help you estimate the cost of removing your popcorn ceiling texture, here are several factors to consider.

Labor

One of the key elements of the final cost to remove your popcorn ceilings is labor. Labor costs vary but usually range between $15 to $60 per hour. Essentially, this depends on how easily your popcorn ceilings are coming off and how much effort the professionals have to put in to get smooth results. If it’s not removing smoothly or is causing scraping to the walls, it will require more time to remove.

With many steps involved in getting rid of the popcorn ceiling, and a heightened need to do it right to achieve optimal results, it takes time and thus hikes up labor costs.

Ceiling Paint

Another key factor in your costs is ceiling paint price. The materials involved in painting can cost a pretty penny, with paint costing around $20 to $60 per gallon. So, if you have a 12 foot by 12-foot room, you can anticipate paying anywhere from $150 to $350 for paint alone.

Additionally, ceilings will sometimes need a second coat of paint, increasing paint prices by 50%. However, smaller rooms will inherently cost less.

Additionally, if you’re just painting over a popcorn ceiling, your prices will be much lower, although it won’t offer as high-end of a finish.

Texture

want to add texture to your ceilings? This is not a cheap process.

Usually costing between $500 and $1,250, textures and designs on the ceiling can majorly impact price. There are some popular textures, like a knockdown ceiling that offers a more simple design that adds up if the room is large. That being said, this is a great way to conceal flaws, similar to how popcorn ceilings were used in the past.

Debris Disposal

Another aspect that can impact cost is debris disposal. After removing the popcorn ceiling, there’s likely to be a lot of debris that can have hazardous materials and ingredients. While this may fit in regular trash bags, opting for a professional to clean it up maybe your best bet. However, this can cost between $150 and $170 for about 500 square feet of debris and even more if asbestos or lead paint is involved.

How Long Does It Take to Remove Popcorn Ceiling?

The amount of time it takes to remove a popcorn ceiling texture depends on how large your space is and how much experience you have removing this unique texture. Need a better idea of what we are talking about? Simple scraping and resurfacing methods can take around 20 hours for ceilings that are 500 square feet. Now that’s not necessarily a task you can tackle in one day.

While getting rid of popcorn ceiling textures is no easy task, the further you move through the process, the easier it becomes. Like anything, this project has a learning curve, and once you get the hang of the best way to get rid of popcorn ceiling, the faster you will move. However, being careful and not rushing is essential to avoid damaging your ceilings or any furniture and decor that remains in the room.

Additionally, it’s important to consider what materials you need and how much time it will take you to gather them if you don’t have them all on hand. Thankfully, if you opt for a professional service to handle the job, you can avoid any of this inconvenience for the safe removal of your popcorn texture.