Popcorn Ceiling Removal: DIY or Call the Pros?
With their textured look and ability to dampen noise, popcorn ceilings were once a popular choice among homeowners. However, these days, that bumpy texture overhead is often seen as a nuisance to clean and an outdated aesthetic. If you’re looking into popcorn ceiling removal so that you can make the switch to a smooth surface, you may be wondering whether this is a project you can take on yourself, or one you should call in a professional team to complete.
At The Patch Boys, we’ve encountered many homeowners who weren’t exactly sure what popcorn ceiling removal entailed before attempting this task with a DIY approach. Below, we’re covering the steps that need to be taken to give your ceilings a smooth texture and streamlined appearance. That way, you can make an educated decision as to whether you want to get started with this project on your own or call on The Patch Boys to do it for you.
How to Remove Popcorn Ceiling
Wondering what’s involved in popcorn ceiling removal? At first glance, you might think it’s as easy as scraping away that popcorn texture, sanding the surface, and repainting it. However, this process entails more steps than you might expect. Here’s a quick overview of what goes into popcorn ceiling removal when done right:
- Testing for asbestos – If your home was built prior to the 1980s, there’s a high likelihood that your popcorn ceiling contains a hazardous material known as asbestos. Once commonly used in construction materials, asbestos does not pose a health risk until it is disturbed. Testing is crucial to ensuring that safe measures are used during removal.
- Prepping the area – Everything from the floors to the walls and your furniture need to be securely covered to avoid showering them with dust.
- Spraying the ceiling – Making the ceiling moist prior to scraping softens the texture and promotes the efficiency of the next step.
- Scraping off the material – The popcorn material can then be scraped away with the proper tools.
- Repairing any visible damage – Because popcorn ceilings can hide imperfections, you might find areas of damage that could become an eyesore and need to be repaired.
- Sanding the surface – Next, sandpaper must be used to create a sleek surface that can be primed and repainted.
Understanding the Risks of DIY Popcorn Ceiling Removal
A DIY popcorn ceiling removal project can go wrong in a number of ways. One of the main concerns includes the health hazards of potentially encountering asbestos. If proper testing isn’t completed, you may expose yourself and your family to this extremely dangerous material, which is commonly known as a “sleeping monster” since it is not problematic until it is touched.
Another risk of taking the DIY route is that you could come upon extensive damage that requires professional attention before taking any next steps. Whether you’re facing cracks, holes, or an uneven texture, you may wish you’d simply called in professionals from the get-go rather than having to do it midway through your project.
It’s also important to consider the time and effort that goes into DIY popcorn ceiling removal, not to mention the mess that it can create in the absence of adequate preparation. Rather than investing in new tools and spending hours researching this project step by step, you can take the efficient, hassle-free approach of contacting our experienced team to leave you with a smooth ceiling without any stress on your part.
Reach Out to The Patch Boys for Expert Popcorn Ceiling Removal
You don’t have to run the risks of DIY in order to erase evidence of your popcorn ceiling and achieve sleek results. Simply reach out to The Patch Boys! We are trusted for both popcorn ceiling removal and ceiling damage repair, and we look forward to saving you from the headaches that a DIY approach to this task can bring. Contact us today at 1-844-99-PATCH to get started.