So, you’ve made the decision to have that tacky popcorn ceiling removed from your home. Congratulations! Getting rid of popcorn ceilings can be a way to update your home or make it more appealing. But once the popcorn runs out, what do you have? Let’s keep you moving on to those next steps in your home renovation journey. Let’s discuss what happens after the removal of a popcorn ceiling and how you can guarantee your home renovation goes off without a hitch.
Cleaning Up the Mess
After the extraction, the first thing you notice is the mess. Popcorn ceiling removal is quite dusty. This is perfectly fine, but you will want to clean up a little bit before going on with the rest of this process.
Here’s what you need to do:
Vacuum and Sweep: Use a vacuum to remove any dust or debris. A shop vac is ideal for this.
Wipe Surfaces: Wash the walls, floors and other surfaces that the dust settled on.
Look for Any Leftover Texture: Occasionally, you will still find patches of popcorn texture remaining on the ceiling. A scraper can be used to carefully chip off any stubborn pieces.
Assessing the Ceiling Condition
After your ceiling has been cleaned, it’s time to evaluate the damage. Oftentimes, popcorn ceilings serve to conceal flaws like defects, stains and uneven services. Now the popcorn’s gone, it’s time to tackle any other problems you have in this space before you move forward.
Look for Cracks: If there are hairline cracks in the ceiling, you will have to fill them with joint compound and sand smooth.
Patch HolesIf any holes remain from the removal of or in old light fixtures you will have to patch them.
Check for Water Damage: You may find staining or discoloration where water has seeped in after removing the texture. If you see any signs of water damage, it’s important to repair the leak at its source before tending to the stains.
Smoothing Out the Surface
The most common reason for why people want to replace their popcorn ceiling is to obtain the smooth, contemporary aesthetic. After the ceiling has been cleaned and fixed, now you want to smooth it all over so you end up with a great looking finish.
To Apply Joint Compound: If there are any nicks or unevenness you think need to be filled all the way down, you may want to apply a VERY SLIGHT layer of joint compound over your entire ceiling.
Sanding the Surface: Once the plaster is dry, sand it with fine-grit sandpaper to even out the surface. It may take a few coats to get an even finish.
Prime the Ceiling: After the ceiling has been sanded, prime it to create a surface that the paint can grip.
Painting the Ceiling
Once the ceiling is smooth and primed, it’s time for the best step of all—painting! Selecting the proper color and finish from your ceiling can have a dramatic effect on the look of your room as you glance about.
Select a Ceiling Paint: Ceilings are generally painted flat, which will hide imperfections and allow for less light to reflect. Make sure you pick up some high-quality ceiling paint designed just for this job.
Think About the Room’s Color Scheme: While selecting a paint color, consider the color scheme of the room. Having one lighter upper shade can help visually expand a room; conversely, a darker lower base color can bring warmth and coziness to a space.
Take Two (or More!): Very few ceilings only need one coat of paint to get the best coverage. Be sure to give the paint plenty of time to dry between coats for a smooth, even finish.
Finishing Touches
After you’ve painted your ceiling and given it a fresh sterile appeal, the last step is to add those finishing touches. Here are some suggestions:
Install New Light Fixtures Your ceiling is now spectacular, so why not help it to further stand out by making changes above you? Contemporary lighting is now favored by many to enhance one´s home or room and add a personal touch to the space.
Repaint the Walls Now that the ceiling is taken care of, it might be nice to dress your walls up in a fresh coat of paint, too. This will even out the transition and allow your room to look seamless and fairly professional.
Think Crown Molding: Adorning the top of your walls with crown molding will offer a more refined look enhancing the totality of your home’s new appearance.
Enjoy Your New Ceiling
Enjoy the transformation all while watching from the best seat in the house! Tearing out that popcorn ceiling and then utilizing these steps to get the rest of your home in order will leave the entire place feeling fresh, clean and airy. Whether you just overhauled one room or redid your entire house, the new ceiling will make a world of difference.
Why Choose Dallas Paints?
We can assist you to remove the popcorn ceiling if you are considering it. We are experts in ceiling removal and can help you every step of the way right from removing it to giving it a finishing touch! Our crew of experienced professionals is committed to delivering excellent service for all your renovation needs.
Ready to transform your home? Call us today for a free consultation and we can help you to get the ceiling that is right for your room.
