How can I fix a rolled mud ceiling?

Leslie Wilcox
by Leslie Wilcox

I removed all the popcorn ceiling and used a textured roller to apply a coat of mud all over it. Unfortunately, it's very uneven. I was thinking of spraying it with warm water and using a broom from one end to the other with hopes of evening it out. Does anyone think this will work?


  15 answers
  • Gk Gk on Mar 28, 2020

    I think the only way you are going to know is if you try it. If you get it too wet however you may end up making more of a mess. Maybe it would be better to apply another layer to even it out. Just like painting--one coat is never enough!

  • William William on Mar 28, 2020

    Spraying it with water after it's dry won't help. A textured roller will make it uneven.

  • You would probably have to sand it out. You can wet sand, but I don't think that spraying it with water and using a broom will create enough friction to smooth it out enough.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Mar 28, 2020

    I would sand it. You could try a pole sander. It's going to be dusty and tedious I'm sorry to say. Maybe you could get someone to help you? Odds are if you wet it down you won't accomplish what you're hoping for. Good luck to you.

  • Kate Garrett Kate Garrett on Mar 28, 2020

    Once dry, it is probably set. You may have been overloading your roller during the application. It is often better to do multiple thin coats than one thick one precisely because that can cause unevenness.


    There is hope, but it will have you screaming & cursing.


    With appropriate safety gear, including a respirator mask, you can sand it down, spot check, & do a bit more. But this method is time consuming and only as reliable as your eye.


    The nuclear option is to take down all of it the same way you went after the popcorn & start over.


    Given the backbreaking labor involved, check your budget. Then look at "tin" tiles. Most are now either plastic or aluminum and there an assortment of install options depending on your skill level & price constraints. They have 3D pressed geometric patterns to fit almost any style. Some even are insulated, which can dampen noise from other floors & reduce HVAC costs

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Mar 29, 2020

    I would not play around with that because it takes soooo long to get it right .. I would simply install 1/4 inch sheetrock on it ..ceiling needs to be straight


  • DesertRose DesertRose on Mar 30, 2020

    When we removed our popcorn ceiling we painted it off white and it looked textured on purpose like you see in so many ceilings now. Maybe if you painted it, it would make it look like "planned texture."

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Mar 30, 2020

    Hi there,

    Call in a Plasterer, and get him to give it a SKIM coat, or Panel it out with a Grid of squares, you won't notice the unevenness. Best wishes,

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Mar 31, 2020

    Just apply mud on the uneven parts and then sand to be streight try using a 3 ft yard stick to check for even ness

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Mar 31, 2020

    Having done this neck-braking work in two rooms, I hired the other three to be done by a pro. I got three quotes and ended up with a very reasonable price.

    I had them made “baby butt smooth” for gloss paint and paid a little more for that.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Apr 01, 2020

    Amazon has a good selection of Styrofoam ceiling tiles from plain to fancy, they can be cut and painted if you are of a mind to:


    https://www.amazon.com/styrofoam-ceiling-tiles-Home-Kitchen/s?k=styrofoam+ceiling+tiles&rh=n%3A1055398

  • Once it’s dry, it can’t be reshaped. I’d be leery of spraying water on the ceiling or any wall, you could do more damage than you intended. Try sanding it down. Home improvement stores have big drywall sanders to rent.

  • I agree with sanding it down, I would use a professional sanding tool so it is quicker.