I have what is called a popcorn finish on my ceiling. Is there an easy way to remove it?

Question

someone said to use water and keep wetting it down, however, this appears to be really messy.

Answer 1

Why on earth would you make popcorn on the ceiling? Doesn't the blood rush to your head while you're waiting for it to pop? Use a microwave!
Joking aside, I've seen this stuff come down in sections, depending on the underlay. I had to remove a stucco ceiling this way, and the drywall beneath was impervious to just scraping it off, so I had to gut it. It was just as well: it gave me a reason to redo the insulation, which was lacking. So maybe it's just as well, that you'll have the whole job done right permanently.

Answer 2

Ick, no matter what you do, getting popcorn off the ceiling is going to be messy. Home Depot or other hardware stores) sells this thing that looks like a really wide scraper with a handle that you can put a broomstick into; it also has a frame around it where you can put a plastic bag (like a shopping bag) so when you scrape off the popcorn it falls into the bag. If you do this, get lots of small bags, and you have to spray some water on the ceiling to get the popcorn to come off. it sounds messy, but it's way too dusty if it's dry. if you spray and wait 2-3 minutes, the popcorn should come off pretty easily.

Not fun, but it works. Good luck!

Answer 3

The only way to remove it is to move everything out of the room and put a cover on the floor get a scrape (can be a long handled scrape or a wide putty knife ) this will only knock off the high pop corns if you want it really smooth you will have to either sand it or apply a topcoat over it Either way it is messy If you use any type of liquid then you will have a wet messy to clean up We did remove the big hanging pop corns and covered the mess up with ceiling tiles

Answer 4

Speaking from hands on, it is messy but as stated earlier put down visquine or painters plastic then a adjustible spray nozzle
on your garden hose and lightly wet your ceiling checking periodicaly with a putty knife or larger scraper preferably one with a long handle then let it fall. After your done just roll up the plastic and discard.

Answer 5

Spray it with water, squirt bottle, and scrape it with a thin spackle knife about six inches wide. Use a waste paper container lined with a plastic bag. It's tedious but the best way. What ever you do , DON'T SCRAPE IT DRY! Some of this stuff contains asbestos, so you don't want it flying around. Tie up the top of the bags while they are still wet and throw it away.

Answer 6

It will be really messy I suggest laying down a tarp and tape it to the base boards then when your done you can just roll up the tarp and throw it out. They sell them at wal-mart for about $1.50. Also at the paint store (home depot) they sell a solution that you can spray on it that will be easier than water, and you will have to scrap it with a putty knife or something.

Answer 7

Messy messy messy - no matter what you do - put down builder's paper on the floor tape it down - put a tarp over it as a 2nd layer - scrape and sand - yuck yuck yuck.

Answer 8

No easy way. Sorry. You can scrape it off if you are real careful. Wet it first. You can also sand it, but that is "real" messy.

Answer 9

no matter what you do, it'll be messy. preferably, I rather start fom scratch. take down all the ceiling and use new sheetrock. no matter what, it's gonna be a chore.

Answer 10

sand it down maybe