What’s the easiest way to remove a popcorn ceiling?

Janet pomp
by Janet pomp
  15 answers
  • Liz31451316 Liz31451316 on Oct 25, 2017

    Polystyrene ceiling tiles are light weight and easy to stick over . They are paintable too and available in classic to ornate designs. This way you have no dust and debris.

  • Rose Middleton Rose Middleton on Oct 25, 2017

    Spray warm water onto the popcorn and use a wide flat scraper to gently scrape it off the ceiling. Be careful not to gouge holes inn the sheet rock. Protect your floors with a throw away painters' tarp. Then you will have to go back and touch up the ceiling with spackle. Then do a heavy coat of paint.


    This will not work if the ceiling has been painted!

    • Gloria Gloria on Oct 27, 2017

      My popcorn ceilings were painted and I was still able to scrape it off myself. Took a little longer, plus I bought a plastic weed sprayer thing from Home Depot ($25) and filled it 1/4 with Downey and the rest warm water, shake it up and spray. Popcorn softened and room smelled fresh!!

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 25, 2017

    http://www.hometalk.com/diy/repair/how-to-remove-popcorn-ceiling-23379673

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Oct 25, 2017

    Could contain Asbestos if done in 60's or before, so I would call in Professionals

  • Catherine Anspaugh Catherine Anspaugh on Oct 25, 2017

    The answer is there is no easy way. It is a horrible messy job. I called in a professional and had them do what is called a knock down finish. I have a 3 bed 2 bath place. In one day they finished the entire job, cleaned all the mess, and painted the ceiling for a very reasonable price.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Oct 26, 2017

    Catherine is right about this not being an easy job. It is also a job that requires a certain degree of flexibility in the neck and shoulders, as it involves reaching up and looking backwards over an extended period of time.

  • Linda Coleman Linda Coleman on Oct 26, 2017

    BIU😀

  • Sharon Henry Sharon Henry on Oct 26, 2017

    Have someone else do it!!! Seriously, I have heard of wetting it down and scraping. Scraping with a shovel turned upside down. I just had them paint them. They were not happy but time was not on my side so they did it.! I like them, gives a detail to the ceiling so there is a line between ceiling and walls.

  • Tma30141596 Tma30141596 on Oct 27, 2017

    Easy to remove! Cover floor with plastic sheeet, use garden sprayer to wet ceiling and scrape off. We roll up and throw plastic away. Takes longer to lay plastic than to remove ceiling. We have done five rooms in house so far. Garage ceiling is this winter job. Really it is very easy!

  • Karena Lyons Burchfield Karena Lyons Burchfield on Oct 27, 2017

    Tmaloney's answer is exactly what I did. I also use my Shop Vac to get the "escapees" (don't know if that is a real word, but pretty sure the reader will understand.)

  • Flossie Flossie on Oct 27, 2017

    Wear a mask as many popcorn ceilings have asbestos in them

  • Patricia Kobar Abbott Patricia Kobar Abbott on Oct 27, 2017

    Hire a professional like I did. Very messy job.

    My popcorn ceiling wasn't on too heavy , very easy to remove, then was painted white! Now very nice clean look, also increases home value ! No one these days wants to buy a home w popcorn ceilings! Good Luck!

  • Judy Prier Burgess Judy Prier Burgess on Oct 28, 2017

    I sprayed and scraped my bathroom ceiling. Paint wouldn’t stick to the ceiling. Use Kilz before painting. I agree that it is worth hiring a professional!

  • Ruth Ruth on Oct 28, 2017

    I bought an old house that someone had used the popcorn stuff on the walls. I just called professionals to come in and put new drywall on my wall. they told me that would be the easiest way without the big mess.

  • Bva21571184 Bva21571184 on Oct 28, 2017

    Get it tested for asbestos first!!