How do you remove the popcorn from the ceiling if its been painted on?

Answer 1

Painted texture cannot be "wetted" because it will not absorb water... hence other removal methods are necessary. For example, a professional might use a chemical paint stripper, such as Lemon Peel from FiberLock. This is a non-methylene chloride stripper that will cling to walls and ceilings and also stay wet for long periods of time. As you will see from this article, "wet" is the key to keeping asbestos fibers under control.

Even if your ceiling does not contain asbestos, scraping and sanding should be done cautiously. Dust control is still important since even non-asbestos dusts pose health hazards. For example, the paint used to coat the popcorn may contain lead... another known hazard, especially to children.

However you decide to proceed, we hope that you follow local laws, rules and guidelines to keep yourself and your family safe and your home healthy! Many areas have heavy restrictions on asbestos removal by non-professionals. Should you violate the law, the legal penalties may ruin your life!

Answer 2

I agree with all the professionals telling you to simply scrap it.
all the chimicals and tricks are really cool if you want to play around, but if you want it done simply scrap it !!!

also as you probebally knows some of those ceilings contain asbestos.
In california you must have special license and use special methods to remove asbestos. so obvioustly it makes the job more expensive.

(unlicened asbestos contractor can be fined up to $32,000 for messing with asbestos)

If you do it yourself, I dont think anyone can complain or fine you,
But you still have the problem of disposing the waste...

I dont know of any dump/land fill that will accept asbestos waste.
so obvioustly you'll have to do it illigally !!!

but again... if the ceiling is modern... we dont use asbestos for quit a while now... so it might be problem free and just waste of whole lot of typing on my end :))

good luck

Answer 3

you got a messy job ahead of you.
helped friend remove pop corn ceiling.
Had to do the asbestos abatement thing.
plastic sheeting on floors and walls overlappped in such and way that debris can be rolled up in plastic sheet minimizing handling.
coveralls and facemasks.
dampen ceiling with water.
not so much that it gets to drywall...
and scrape off popcorn stuff.

But since you have paint on it....

you can rough it up with heavier sandpaper....
enough so that water from sprayer penetrates.....

but not too wet.

and person I helped with this project was concerned enough about asbestos that she sent sample out to be tested.
but I have heard of people just doing it.
but that popcorn ceiling may have asbestos in it

Answer 4

Same way as if it isn't painted, except it will take waaaaay more time and muscle and probably gouge your ceiling in the process. If you can, it would probably be easier to just put up some 1/4 inch drywall over it.

Answer 5

You can sill scrap it off, use a 6" to 12" tapping knife. Then use tapping knife and tapping mud to lightly scem ceiling to fill low spots, lightly sand with 150 grit paper then prime & paint. hope this helps.

Answer 6

the paint seals the rock so making it very hard to wet and scrap.....ur better off to remove the old rock and install new....

lic. gen. contractor

Answer 7

first soften with water and then scrap it'll come off easily its just time consuming

Answer 8

a good scraper and patience..