Easiest way to clean a textured ceiling coated form years of smoking with TSP?

Question

One of the apartments I have has a textured ceiling (it was there when I bought it). The long time tenants who are moving were heaving smokers. I read in another post advice that said clean with TSP and then paint with an oil based primer. The problem is that the ceiling is textured. What’s the easiest way to wash that well with TSP? Thanks in advance!!

Andy Sabisch · Answer

There are a few solutions here.First, consider removing the texture ceiling. Spraying it with a water bottle and scraping in off with a 6-8 inch blade (the type to spread drywall mud), it will come off easily. Since it could have asbestos, wear a mask and dispose of the material you remove. Allow it to dry, touch up any spots that need it and repaint with ceiling paint.The TSP option will wind up pulling your ceiling off anyway so I have not used TSP on ceilings - walls yes or ceilings that are drywall or plaster but not texture. The oil based Kilz (red can) is what we use on our projects to seal difficult areas.Hope this helps

Jim K. · Answer

Soft deck brush and gallon pump sprayer. Spray the ceiling with TSP solution in sections, allow it to penetrate for a minute, and brush it with the deck brush. You will probably need to do this multiple times, and you will need to soak the deck brush in a bucket filled with dish soap solution and comb it out with a paintbrush comb to remove the tar residue in the brush bristles between cleanings.. The last time, just spray your ceiling with a lot of water and use the deck brush to get just as much of the visible tar residue off as possible. The idea is to rinse the very soapy and slimy TSP residue off with the water you're using in the process.Allow the ceiling to dry and paint with Kilz Original oil-based and a thick-nap roller, like a 1 1/4 nap for a heavily-textured ceiling.As has been mentioned earlier in the thread, scraping the texture off is a possibility IF it's the right kind of spray-on texture, if it hasn't been painted over, if, if, if. Try this first on a small section of the ceiling. Because if it isn't the right kind of textured ceiling, fuhgeddaboudit!However you go about successfully doing this job, it will smell disgusting and probably get you sick if you're not careful. Wear a respirator with VOC cartridges topped with P95 filters. You won't be able to smell anything.

Carlton B. · Answer

Some other choices drywall over the current ceiling or skim coat. Mold, lead, and asbestos you never want to hear those words when rehabbing but you have to find ways to deal with them. Safety first so if you do research and you feel there is a chance of asbestos call a pro and ask for there opinion.

Richard F. · Answer

Well, they banned the use of it in 77, but it is possible there could have been stock remaining in some locales. I would recommend the test, then you are sure, and you save the documentation in your records for proof if needed in the future. For less than $100 it would be worthwhile peace of mind... and your own health.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

It was used until 1980, even after that there were some companies that used up their reserves...so yes, you could have some of it in your texture.You generally can NOT just scrape it off. It has become so ridiculously over-regulated that in most states you could face severe fines for not having it removed by a certified abatement company. Yes it is a bunch of over-zealous Govt BS, but do you want to pay $30,000? That was the minimum fine back in SoCal just a few years ago.I'd make an anonymous call to your local building department and ask them how to remove it, and then make your choice. But getting rid of it is definitely the right call....

Andy Sabisch · Answer

TomTake a look at this article . . . asbestos was banned in the late 70's but stock could be sold which put it into the 80s. I would check using one of the test kits that you can pick up.Another option is to use bleach in a spray bottle and let it sit. You may still need to oil based primer to seal it.Andyhttps://www.mesotheliomahope.com/blog/how-can-you-tell-if-po...

Richard F. · Answer

Aloha,As was mentioned, depending on the age of the home it could very well have asbestos containing material on that ceiling (and other areas). Asbestos removal is best left to the pros, which will use hazmat suits and "air purifying" respirators. You can obtain asbestos testing kits online or locally to get a small sample so you know for sure. Your health is well worth it, and so it the health of future occupants. (if not handled properly, the asbestos fibers will continue circulating in the household air handling system.In addition, all of the Hazardous Material that is removed must be specially bagged and handled, and disposed of in a very specific manner. Cutting corners and getting caught can result in EPA fines starting at $11,000 per day for a first offense.

Andrew Carlson · Answer

@Tom MaurerHad this problem as well. I just ran my ozone machine a couple nights during the renovation. Air it out during the day. Then paint the ceiling.

Doug Wade · Answer

@Tom Maurer clean good and use Zinsser BIN. Great stuff

Tom Maurer · Answer

Thanks for taking the time to reply is such detail. This is a HUGE help!