Patching and Plastering - Removing Textured Ceiling

Any easy way to get rid of popcorn texturing from the ceiling?

Really there is no easy way to get rid of popcorn. Is a real messy job & there can be potential health risks involved. Typically it's misted with water then scraped off. Afterwards it is common to have to do some repair work to the underlying sheetrock. If this is an old bldg, there can be asbestos in the popcorn and you should have it tested or at least take all proper precautions when removing, handling, and disposing of the old popcorn.

Take a look at this thread for more info
http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?t=169221&highlight=asbestos+popcorn+ceilings

I just found this site last week and was reading the threads relating to the projects I have going on in my new(new to me but 30 year old) house. The house has popcorn ceilings that I had planned to scrape smooth. I had no idea that the popcorn could have asbestos in it. I thank you all for posting this information. My father was a drywall contractor for over 30 years and died 1 1/2 years ago from asbestosis and lung cancer. I now have 1 year old twins. To think of the damage that I could have done to my family if I hadn't stumbled onto this site just in time!! Thanks!!! I now plan to just roll new paint with a long nap roller over the texture or spray a new coat of paint over it. Does that sound safe?

Should be no problem. As long as asbestosis is painted over and sealed it poses no real hazard. I have sprayed the asbestosis texture back in the early 70's but I think it may have been phased out shortly afterwards.

Ok, back to the ceiling project. I really want to get rid of this stuff. What's the proper (safe) procedure to get rid of it? Goggles? Mask? Gloves? Fire?

Do you know how old your house is? Or more importantly the texture. Asbestos was n o longer used after the mid 70's in texture. If asbestos isn't a concern the mess is the big concern. Cover everything well, scraping the popcorn will send it everywhere. Be prepared to skim coat the ceilings afterward so you will have a nice looking paintable surface. If you have any doubt that there might be asbestos remember inhaling the dust is the danger. Take all precautions so you or no one else breathes the dust.

If painting over popcorn, you will want to use oil-based paint. Water-based paint tends to make the popcorn dissolve. Older popcorn ceiling contained asbestos, so it is best not to disturb it.

The house was built in the yearly 60s but the room I am working on was an addition. I will have to do some digging around to find out when I was put on and when the popcorn was applied. I ordered a test kit just in case.

Please post re: asbestos test results. Asbestos was outlawed in the early
80's. If your popcorn has asbestos, there are safe ways to remove it.

if you check around you can probably find a local lab to do the test for what the kit cost - and you'll be certain of the accuracy.

I believe 1978 is considered the year beyond which asbestos was not used. a 60s house is almost certain. The short answer for removing it is - keep it wet, keep it wet, keep it wet! Then there's the little matter of disposal once you've scraped it off and bagged it up. Check you state's gov website for asbestos info. In most states a homeowner has a lot of latitude for removal and disposal not afforded to a business, but you do need to check. Depending on where you live, a few companies have sprung up to do this at a fairly reasonable cost - but you must shop around. As soon as you say "asbestos" to some of these people they will try to scare you and get big $$ out of you. Don't buy it.

If you do decide to paint there are specific paints designed to coat popcorn. But be aware that a lot of dirt accumulates over 30+ years and that is what you are painting. :rolleyes:

-art-