What to Do After Removing Popcorn Ceiling

What to Do After Removing Popcorn Ceiling

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From scrapping to painting – the things you need to do after removing popcorn ceiling, and before it is completely refinished

That white, flaky material that covers the ceilings of many homes, known as popcorn ceiling, cottage cheese ceiling, or textured ceiling, feels a little dated these days. It was even known to contain asbestos many decades ago until the material was outlawed in 1978.

While some people don’t mind the look of a popcorn ceiling and don’t want to bother with getting rid of it (some folks like its ability to hide imperfections), others want to modernize and try removing the popcorn ceiling altogether.

And if you already removed the popcorn, you may be stuck on what to do next. You might find yourself wanting to paint and make it look brand new. If this sounds like you, then here are some things you should do after going through with your popcorn ceiling removal.

After Scraping

Assuming you have already gone through the time-consuming process of scraping the popcorn texture off of your ceiling and then wiping it down, you’re ready to begin the real fun. Now, you can get started on refinishing the ceiling.

Please note, however, that you should wait at least 24 hours after scraping the ceiling and wiping the area down to begin this process. This short time period gives the ceiling and the surrounding area time to completely dry from the removal process.

So, you’ve waited for it to dry and you’re ready to move on. What’s next? Follow these simple steps to get your ceiling looking new and modern.

Check & Repair Your Drywall if You Need to

Oftentimes, the process of scraping away popcorn ceiling can damage the drywall beneath it. In which case, these simple steps can be used to fix it back up before you go on with the rest of the refinishing process: 

1. Use joint compound to fill problem areas

If you notice any small holes or blemishes, you can use a drywall compound with a putty knife to fill them. Apply the compound in a nice skim coat to make it smooth. This will help you skip out on any extra sanding that may need to be done. 

2. Let the compound dry, then sand

Give the compound at least four hours to dry, and then you will be ready to sand it smooth to make painting as easy as possible. It is always a good idea to wear protective gear, like a face mask and some safety goggles, during the sanding process.

Protect the Drywall

Now, it is time to apply a new texture to make sure that the drywall stays protected and in good shape. Follow these steps to make it happen:

1. Make sure the walls are protected

This is especially important if you choose to use a pump sprayer. Make sure you tape some drop cloths up over your walls to keep them safe and dry during this part of the process. 

2. Suit up once more

This is optional for this step, but it never hurts to make sure you protect yourself as much as possible by wearing your face mask and goggles, and maybe also a pair of work gloves if you’d like to avoid blistering up your hands.

You now have a few options to choose from. You can use a trowel and work in small areas at a time to apply compound to the ceiling, or you can use a pump sprayer to get the job done smoother and, not to mention, much quicker.

  • If you choose to do it by hand: Working with your trowel, use thin layers of the compound and scrape across the ceiling, working in small areas. You can use this method to work your way across the entire ceiling with your trowel and compound. 
  • If you choose to use a sprayer: A pump sprayer can help you get the job done quicker, easier, and will leave you with a smoother look and feel. Ensuring your walls are covered with drop cloths, you can load up the sprayer’s spray gun with compound, and then connect it to the sprayer’s air compressor. Adjust your pressure carefully, and then begin spraying the ceiling from at least four feet away. Work your way across the ceiling carefully, and take a break every now and then to make sure you aren’t missing any areas of the ceiling.

When you’re all done applying the compound, you’re ready to move onto the final step.

Get Your Ceiling Primed and Painted

After you have completed the process with the compound, you should let the area set for at least 24 hours before applying primer. When that is done, you can finish the process by following these easy steps for painting:

1. Once again, ensure your walls and floors are protected

Now that you’re about to begin the painting process, you’re going to want to ensure that your walls and floors are not going to be affected by paint dripping down. Bring out your drop cloths once more, and put them into place. 

2. Using a paintbrush or sprayer, paint your ceiling

You can load the sprayer up with paint the same way you did with the compound, or you can go old-school and use a paint bucket and a brush to apply the paint by hand. Whatever method you choose, work in small sections at a time, just like you did with the compound. Make sure you take a break every little bit to ensure you haven’t missed a spot. 

Frequently Asked Questions

You can contact us for advise. Meanwhile, here are some of the most common questions asked about the process:

Can I paint over the popcorn ceiling without actually removing it?

You most certainly could, but removing it first makes the painting process so much smoother. Getting the popcorn material wet could make it peel off and begin to flake, so if you do choose to paint without removing the popcorn texture, try not to paint back and forth with your roller. There’s also a guide about Covering Popcorn Ceiling.

Should I always prime the ceiling before painting?

Yes, the prime is mandatory. It ensure that the paint adheres properly in place. For old ceilings, you can also consider using stain block primer so that old stains on the ceiling aren’t as noticeable.

Can I perform popcorn ceiling removal on my own?

We received generous and helpful advice from an expert, Bill Woodward, on the question, who says it’s a very common question: the process might take a lot of time, but it is possible. 

Popcorn ceilings are very popular in homes built around the 1960s to the ’80s. You should know that asbestos may be contained in the majority of these older homes and is considered very hazardous when contacted. Make sure the place is properly tested before you begin to work. 

How long does it take to bring down the popcorn ceiling?

Popcorn ceiling removal can take an average of three to five hours. The time required doubled up to about six to ten hours when the popcorn you removed was painted. A project that involves eight- to nine-foot-high ceilings of a room less than 1,600 sq-ft can be completed within 24 hours with orange peel, knockdown texture, or skip towel.

We recommend you add an extra 24 hours when you are selecting a smooth finish. It takes 1 or 2 days to perform popcorn ceiling removal and refinishing jobs. When the job also involves painting, it takes 2 or 3 days.  

What will I find in the popcorn ceiling removal quote?

Floor and wall masking is certainly included. There will be a little additional charge if you have a furnished home.

Popular repairs to the ceiling after popcorn removal include hitting the nails, little peeling tape, knicks, skimming the joints, scrapes, and re-screw are also added and noted as the repair phase.

Ceiling refinishing is also included in which the cost may vary based on the drywall finish. Also, expect to see clean up and disposal in any popcorn ceiling removal quote. 

Can you remove my popcorn ceilings even though they are painted?

Yes, we can. Contrary to what you might have been told about scraping is the only method to get rid of the popcorn ceiling and keep your ceiling in good shape, we can remove it.

Although it required additional effort from our part, painted popcorn ceiling removal is possible. We can remove your old, out of style popcorn ceiling with just a little extra fee. 

Is priming really needed after I remove the popcorn ceiling?

You must properly sand the ceiling once the popcorn is removed, dings and bad seams topped off well. A wise step would be to prime the ceiling after sanding and topping off before you start rolling texture. Non-primed drywall will absorb the moisture content of the paint and will cause uneven distribution of the texture. 

What is the value in the figure that popcorn ceiling removal adds?

According to Schutte, popcorn removal in an executive home at a large estate would add about $25,000 – $35,000 in value. He forecasted an increased value of around $2,500 for a home that measures about 1,400 sq-ft, which costs approximately $200,000. This figure is close to the amount invested in the removal project by a homeowner. 

A Popping Project

While some people will recommend calling a guy to handle these sorts of projects, there is no better way to get into that DIY spirit and save some money than by simply tackling it yourself.

Through all this, you’ve learned how to get rid of texture on the ceiling, how to refinish it, and how to handle it all yourself. At the end of the day, there’s not a feeling quite as satisfying as a job well done.

You can always contact us and let professional handle it.

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