DIY Popcorn Ceiling Removal - Yay or Nay?

[Corey Demuth]

I am debating removing the popcorn ceiling from a small room by myself. I understand the process involves spraying the popcorn ceiling with a chemical then eventually scraping it off.

How feasible is this for someone with no experience doing it? Can anyone direct me to a good video or guide/tutorial on how to do it? Any common mistakes to be careful to avoid?

Also, after the popcorn stuff is gone, how long should one wait before repainting?

[Kyle J.]

Originally posted by @Cheryl Packham:

Corey,

As @Jeff B. mentioned their is a high potential for asbestos contamination, however, if you have a newer property post 1978 (When asbestos was banned for this use) then their is little concern.  If before, then you should do your own research or call in a professional to test for asbestos.  If this is a commercial/rental property then you should definitely hire a professional to test for asbestos.  

Just FYI, although asbestos was banned for use in ceiling treatments in 1978, the materials containing the asbestos did continue to be sold after 1978.  So it is possible/likely that it was still used into the 80's.  The only way to know for sure is to have a sample tested.  Just didn't want someone possibly incorrectly assuming that it could never be in a house post 1978.

As for how to remove a popcorn ceiling (if it doesn't have asbestos and you decide to do it yourself), you don't need anything other than water.  I just removed some last month and it's super easy. 

Step #1 - Put something (i.e. tarp, drop cloth, plastic sheeting, etc) down on the floor to help catch the mess and make for an easy cleanup.

Step #2 - Fill a sprayer up with water and spray it on the popcorn ceiling.  I like to use a backpack sprayer like the one in the photo below because you can just keep pumping and spraying as you go.

Step #3 - Use a wide putty knife to scrape off the wet portion of the popcorn ceiling.  (It's easier to do with two people because one can be spraying while the other is scraping.)

That's really it as far as how to remove it.  There may be some additional prep work (i.e. sanding, puttying, texturing, etc) that's required afterwards, depending on what type of finish you want to end up with.  But the removal process itself is pretty simple.