Taking down popcorn walls in basement to prepare for refinishing?

Question

Are there any suggestions/tips before we get started on this weekend project? We'd like to strip the walls down as well as the framing to save money on the cost of refinishing it. Previous owner finished the basement himself and used the wrong type of wood and did a bad job cutting the drywall to size so there are alot openings at the seams, doors hung upside down, not to mention all the scrapes I've gotten from the popcorn walls while trying to turn on the light switch and I dare not bring the kids down there yet. We'd just like to "DO THIS ALL OVER"!

Answer 1

Sounds more like stucco than popcorn. Popcorn ceilings need to be scraped off and if they have not been painted water helps. If it is really hard its stucco and I would just take the gyproc off and put new stuff on.

Brin

Answer 2

Open seams in drywall can taped and floated. By pop corn walls, if you mean heavy stipling, use a "screen sander", available at hardware. These are not like fine sandpaper, more a screen hand sander, block. It creates less fine dust. Use a mask anyway. Take it down as much as you can, or needed, before floating and re-stiple.
A wide putty knife could be used to knock off the heaviest stipling.

An alternative is to install new 1/4" drywall over the old and stagger seams a bit from the old. Do be sure to reset all electrical boxes, level with the new drywall, before installing, so the plates will be flush.
Don't know what effect this may have on the door frames and door settings, unless you reset the door casing.
Just off top of my head. No hair up there so this may not be helpful.

Answer 3

I know you're pumped to have a DIY weekend, but I've seen on HGTV where people have removed popcorn ceilings to reveal asbestos. You definitely don't want your children in that. Depending how old the basement addition is, you may be at risk for having it in your house. I would call a professional before you get started (this coming from the girl who never calls professionals. ;) ] If you're creating an area you want your kids to go into, I would rather be safe than sorry.

Answer 4

if you think you can save the waalls by removing the popcorn texture try taking a squirt bottle with warm water wet and scrape this may be the easiest way out

Answer 5

lol!!!!!!!!!!!! I know what you mean about the popcorn crap! My sons room was done in it. If no paint is over it, you can mist spray sections at a time and scrap it off, mist with hot water. If it was painted over, you are going to have a lot more work at scrapping. The misting will not do anything.
Good luck! Happy holidays!

Answer 6

You have no choice but to carefully fix each imperfection. You can always scrap, sand and redo.